[D&D 5e] There Might Be Giants G2 Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl Session: 025 The Other White Dragon.

[Goonalan]

There Might Be Giants​

PCs
DCI Bawg Race: Unknown Class: Rogue Level: 12 Background: City Watch Investigator
Phreakalus Nevrospastos Race: Human Class: Artificer Level: 12 Background: Courtier
Thrunorus "Thugg" Garn Race: Half-Orc Class: Barbarian Zealot of Bradlust & Fighter Level: 8 & 4 Background: Mercenary Veteran
Yen Stonefist Race: Stout Halfling Class: Monk Level: 12 Background: Hermit

NPCs
Piniccarus, Phreakalus' animated puppet 'son'. Just weird.

Session 019: The Fighting Is Not Over Yeti.
Mission Time: 00:46 to 00:52

To begin with an apology, at the end of the last write I said that the Giantkillers took a moment to get some healing done, and that the fight was over. I was mistaken- I should have looked ahead, at the pictures on Discord from this session.

I think what I should have written was everyone (well, almost everyone) really wanted the fighting to stop for a bit.

But that didn't happen.

Can you guess?

Here we go again.

Helga, the frost giant, is retreating. Yen, DCI Bawg & Phreakalus are looking to get a breather. Thugg is not.

And so there he goes again- chasing after Helga, replete with hit points- he has about twenty or so to his name.

And Yen still has his fifteen foot reach once/day Dragon Tattoo thing still going so- why not. Yen is easily persuaded, and seconds later a beaten up Helga is off her feet. She's going nowhere.

But, do you remember who's coming to play? Sneaking down the corridor towards the PCs?

That's right, the snowmen (and women, no doubt).

The Yeti's are identified quickly, here's the first of them- just about to get into Thugg.

But Thugg, on point, is having fun.

Helga less so. While Waythe (as always) is still trying to be helpful.

And the rest of the PCs are now scrambling (once again) to get to the front line, or else close enough to shoot the bad guys.

And there are few Yeti, although none of them so far have managed to land a hit on Thugg- and ACs not his thing, although he's probably Hasted again atm. He's swigging potions of speed every chance he can, it's his new addiction.

Oh, and you'll note the PCs have started calling out the NPCs and Orcs, that little gravestone (far right on the image above) is where one of the frosties (earlier) threw Balthazar (the orc).

Balthazar is the first of the Giantkillers entourage to die.

There's a clue to what happens next.

Helga dies, and you'll note two of the Yeti's are not looking too healthy either, the artillery has arrived.

But to the north...

The first of the snow leopards comes rushing out of hiding and into Thugg, the half-orc barbarian takes the hit and keeps on swinging.

And soon after- with the Yeti's also climbing up and over the fight to get to the rear, well- it's a Thugg pile-on.

And then, at bloody last...

One of the PCs succumbs to a Yeti's Chilling Gaze, they've all been making this attack every turn- Yen is the first to fail his save. The Monk is paralysed, that's got to crimp his style.

Yen is also very close to ko'd, on maybe six hit points.

But Thugg...

...is still doing Thugg.

Although that doesn't keep Yen safe.

Note the square on the map, that's Piniccarus' web spell. The bane of my existence.

This has been happening a lot-

Even before my poor Yeti's got webbed.

And oh look-

Thugg is still rolling Crits. Keep in mind he's usually raging, reckless and hasted. It's a terrifying combo.

And then, at last, or else soon after...

The end of the fight comes remarkably quickly, Phreakalus & Bawg account for another pair of Yeti's and Thugg (with a help from a couple of orcs) takes care everything else. You'll note in the picture above Thugg is running for a bed- he is now convinced that rest is the best option. Yen has also been given a potion, but he too is really not well.

The plan is- I say plan, it's not much of one- is to hide here and get a short rest, or else cast some spells (the Artificer has a few healing spells), or swig healing potions (but they're getting really low on these).

Phreakalus also boots up his telepathic communication spell, and now all of the Pcs can chat with each other via the astral space phone (or something similar).

But...

The tea break doesn't last, the Giantkillers get five minutes off. Note in the image above Bawg is concealed in a snow drift (stealth '28') and watching the ways. Bawg has a passive perception of '20'- and is also making active perception checks every now and then, the approaching Yeti is spotted quickly and the fact telepathically communicated to his friends.

There are (telepathic) groans.

The grind doesn't stop for tea and biscuits.

The PCs (and entourage) form up and ready themselves to go again.

The Yeti at the back (unidentified) seems to be somehow directing the attack. DCI Bawg breaks stealth by hurling a Fireball down the corridor.

And...

Yeti's burn.

And then it all kicks off.

And as usual...

The bad guys get webbed. Note, this web is specifically targeted to attach to the ceiling in the corridor- filling the upper half of the passageway- this because the two closest Yeti's in the image above were climbing in on the walls of the passage. One of the Yeti's quickly breaks out of the webs.

You'll note Thugg is still in bed.

He's like a surly teenager at times.

"I'll be there in a minute! Gawhhh!"

Several of the Yeti manage to tear their way through or else out of the web, but the hits keep on coming.

Moments later, Pablo (an Orc) is sent scurrying under the web, basically to see if it can be done.

It can.

However 'can' does not equate to should.

Egil, a frostie, flings a rock at Pablo the orc as soon as he emerges from beneath the web.

Pablo does not last.

Nor, however, do the Yeti's.

Phreakalus goes on a killing/shooting spree.

And then when, at last, the last of the Yeti are put down...

Thugg (who else) goes chasing after Egil.

Thugg has nothing to help him atm- no speed potion, no rage... he is however reckless. He's always reckless.

I think it's his middle name.

The Giantkillers, once again, have got my bad guys on the run.

Well, almost. The first Winter Wolf turns up (alas this fellow is only a pup- a Dire Wolf in white).

And Thugg, very soon after, starts screaming for his friends/colleagues/associates/pit-crew/patsies (delete as appropriate).

Reluctantly they come running.

What else is there to do?

White Wolves (plural).

Thugg is, soon after, reduced to maybe two hit points.

All the healing that Phreakalus dropped on him has gone away now.

That's a shame.

You'll also note that Arne the frostie has just tipped up- he was herding the wolves to here, see the behind the scenes images at the end of the last session.

Thugg's down, and Egil is standing in him. To be sure.

Let's see how the Giantkillers do without him...

Because that's the end of the session.

Although not without a little sneaky peek at what's coming-

There are another pair of Winter Wolves eager to get into the fight.

And...

There's another frost giant with a bunch of Ogres waiting to ambush the party should they head to the north.

But I'm revealing these pictures here and now because, well... we've already played past this point. I'm still a way behind with this write up.

Book of the Dead.
Helga- Frost Giant.
Yeti x11 (including one Max HP leader type)
Snow Leopard x2.

Until next time.

Cheers goonalan.

 

[Goonalan]

There Might Be Giants​

PCs
DCI Bawg Race: Unknown Class: Rogue Level: 12 Background: City Watch Investigator
Phreakalus Nevrospastos Race: Human Class: Artificer Level: 12 Background: Courtier
Thrunorus "Thugg" Garn Race: Half-Orc Class: Barbarian Zealot of Bradlust & Fighter Level: 8 & 4 Background: Mercenary Veteran
Yen Stonefist Race: Stout Halfling Class: Monk Level: 12 Background: Hermit

NPCs
Piniccarus, Phreakalus' animated puppet 'son'. Just weird.

Session 020: The Definition of Madness.
Mission Time: 00:52 to 00:58

And so here we all are- Thugg is down and dying, Yen is down to a handful of hit points only, Phreakalus (and Piniccarus) and DCI Bawg have taken a few wounds. The Giantkillers have just had a very brief rest, but not a short rest, and so they're having problems already. Also the Army of Nun/None (the Orcs) are struggling, by which I mean they keep getting themselves killed.

Or else the players keep on getting them killed.

And yet...

DCI Bawg continues to ply his trade- he only has one attack/turn (unless Hasted) but he rarely misses (maybe once per session), and always it's a chunk of damage. Egil shouts his fury.

Like I said-

Egil is not happy.

And seconds later...

Very not happy, and Webbed.

But one of the winter wolves rips it's way through the webs and unleashes its icy breath.

Laurelea Moongem, elven knight and ex-prisoner of the Hill Giants, is flash frozen- dead.

The players aren't happy, they liked Laurelea.

However, moments later, back from the dying comes...

Thugg. Waythe applauds the half-orcs re-awakening.

But...

The orcs are dying, and the winter wolves are into the passage.

There's a modicum of freight going on amongst the players.

But we're back to Bawg again-

And he Crits a lot. A winter wolf's head explodes.

As does Phreakalus-

Crits a lot that is. Two Crits from three attacks, and the other one was a hit too. Phreakalus is also on fire. Egil is being held up by the Web.

But not for long-

Ballbag the orc takes Egil down.

And then Yen fills the gap.

Hold the line!

And yet another Crit. Keep in mind that three of the winter wolves here are pups, Dire Wolf stats- no breath weapon.

The Giantkillers hold the line.

The winter wolves are trying to get through the web and into the Giantkillers, Arne the frost giant is throwing rocks atm.

But that doesn't last, and for some reason there's no picture of this- what happens next is Thugg gets up- sinks a big healing potion and then gets back into killing things- the two badly wounded winter wolves are dead in moments.

The end is nigh for the winter wolves, and Arne is not happy. Note, Thuggs token is below the Winter Wolf for some reason.

Arne has seen enough, the frost giant manoeuvres towards the exit, chopping with his greataxe as he goes.

Ballbag the orc dies.

And...

Yen is back down and dying again.

Arne is off.

But still not enamoured with the Giantkillers.

Bernard (the orc) is sent to try and slow Arne down, plunging through the web to do so.

Bernard the Brave?

Back in the web-

Waythe is continuing to charm Thugg.

And then, and inevitably...

Arne's retreat is curtailed. Webbed.

Thugg, gets into his work again-

Three attacks- three hits, seventy-five points of damage. He's a caution that Mr. Thugg.

And seconds later, just after Arne kills Tormund (the orog)...

DCI Bawg shoots Arne in the head and dead.

Bloody hell, what's a DM to do to slow down these buggers.

And so, next...

The Giantkillers scurry back into their hiding place (the same one as previous) and Phreakalus sets about healing as many people as he can with his Aura of Vitality. You'll note the plan is the same as last time- hide here, try to get a short rest.

What did Einstein define as madness?

Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.

Some variant of the above.

And so, five minutes later...

A winter wolf sniffs it's way around the corner and then unleashes it's icy breath. Yarnie and Terri (both orcs) are killed in an instant.

The Giantkillers are beginning to suspect that they are screwed, and that the whole of the lair is at present making its way to their position.

I'm only surprised it took them this long to work it out.

The winter wolf suffers, however moments later another arrives-

The second winter wolf kills Barnard and also puts a crimp in Thunderpants, the dwarven smith come veteran warrior.

The fightback begins-

Thugg kills a winter wolf just as a third beast arrives on the scene- note, all three of these creatures are adults (and with about a hundred hit points each).

And then the fourth winter wolf arrives, along with its handler (maybe).

Thugg and Yen both get iced (but make their saves). The Giantkillers can hear more shouts and calls in giantish- more ogre guards they think are on the way. Note- Tosser is the last of the Army of Nun/None, the last orc to be called up, all of the others are dead.

Moments later and things are getting desperate.

DCI Bawg throws his last Fireball bead into the mix. Note Yen's save- '33', the Monk evades all damage.

But the winter wolves suffer in the blast.

And the ogres are arriving, also winter wolf #31 is the fifth to the encounter.

This is getting scary is the consensus from the players.

And so...

Webbo!

Followed by-

Thugg rampage- three more hits, seventy-three points of damage, and another winter wolf falls.

And then...

And then another- Thugg's final attack is a Crit (and massive overkill). Why wouldn't it be? Thugg gets a Bonus Action Attack if he manages to kill a creature or else Crit on his turn. Bugger!

It gets no better for me-

Yen leaves the second to last winter wolf barely clinging on to life.

The badly wounded wolf recharges its icy breath and kills Tosser (the last orc standing), and wounds Phreakalus some more.

And then the rest of the encounter (actually two encounters rolled into one) makes it to the fight.

That's Snorri the frost giant with five ogre guards and with five winter wolves leading the way.

So, plenty still to go at, although of the two remaining winter wolves one is at death's door, while the other is unharmed.

Save for Thunderpants (and maybe Piniccarus) the PCs have no-one left to hide behind.

The end is nigh- for someone.

You'd think.

That however is the end of the session.

Although, one last picture-

No, not the DM gloating and showing you (the reader) what's next in store for the PCs, I'm getting caught up (no game last week) and so- this is the lay of the land. The Giantkillers route so far, although they've been mostly fighting to occupy the small (by giant standards) barracks they at present inhabit, at least for the last five or so sessions, or so it seems to me.

It's worth noting at this point that the PCs have a way to get out of the lair if they need to- in a rush- the figure of '8' teleport chain (they found in the Steading and used to get here) will take them back to Waterdeep, should they choose to employ it. However it takes three PCs three turns to set out the teleportation device correctly, with one of the three holding a picture of their destination (in Waterdeep) and chanting the necessary magic words.

The PCs however are of the opinion that retreat to the winter cave they found outside of the lair during their recon would be their best bet at the moment, they don't want to go home empty handed. They're further convinced that there may be many more frost giants (and friends) left to vanquish. The DM isn't giving anything away.

A decision will (need to) get made should they survive the present encounter. That's the talk atm.

That then is the end of the 20th session of giant-killing.

Book of the Dead.
Egil & Arne- Frost Giants.
Winter Wolf (adults) x5.
Winter Wolf (pups- as Dire Wolves) x3.

Until next time.

Cheers goonalan.

 

[Goonalan]

There Might Be Giants​

PCs
DCI Bawg Race: Unknown Class: Rogue Level: 12 Background: City Watch Investigator
Phreakalus Nevrospastos Race: Human Class: Artificer Level: 12 Background: Courtier
Thrunorus "Thugg" Garn Race: Half-Orc Class: Barbarian Zealot of Bradlust & Fighter Level: 8 & 4 Background: Mercenary Veteran
Yen Stonefist Race: Stout Halfling Class: Monk Level: 12 Background: Hermit

NPCs
Piniccarus, Phreakalus' animated puppet 'son'. Just weird.

Session 021: Just Over An Hour.
Mission Time: 00:58 to 01:02

Ready?

Good, here we go.

Snorri the Frost Giant and five Ogre Guards have followed their pack of Winter Wolves into the PCs hang-out. Although, let's be honest- the PCs 'hiding place' has a trail of dead bodies- in places five plus feet high, leading directly to their location. Like a giant bloody arrow. So, no ranger required.

But the Giantkillers love killing giants.

The Inevitable Bawg, and now both Winter Wolves are almost done.

And then...

They are done- down and dead. Thugg takes out an Ogre Guard with yet another Crit finale.

This is all going south very quickly (for me).

Snorri is having doubts too.

However one of the Ogre Guard's still believes-

DCI Bawg's luck continues to hold. Belief, for the Ogre Guard, is not enough to win the day.

The onslaught continues apace...

And see the top of the image- that was another Crit from Thugg, and another in the mix from Phreakalus.

And...

Thugg does Thugg.

No one is safe.

And then Yen does Yen-

The Monk finishes off the last Ogre Guard and then sprints over to menace Snorri the Frost Giant. Yep- you heard that right- 'menace'. Snorri ends the turn beaten and on his backside.

It's a teachable moment.

Snorri briefly glimpses his future.

Yen goes to school on Snorri.

And then...

The artillery formulate their firing solution. Snorri is no more. My two encounters are no more, and I am getting more than a little annoyed.

That was just embarrassing.

And so... the Giantkillers have (at last) a moment, a moment for them to think about what needs to be done next. Keep in mind they are out of lots of things- spells, potions, rages, powers, etc.

There is a lot of chat back and forth- what's the best thing to do- retreat to the cave, grab out the teleport circle, try to find some where (better, and within the lair) to hide to get a short rest.

Choices.

And then, Thugg shouts something like-

"It's too late, dey're all around us. TOO LATE! DERE CUMMIN!"

And then he runs- back the way the Giantkillers came from.

There follows quite a lot of swearing and shouting- we've been here before, but... only a round later all of the other PCs go running after Thugg.

Thugg is not doing stealth atm, he is doing a lot of shouting atm.

Nothing in particular, nothing important, just-

"DER CUMMIN!"
"I AIN'T DYIN IN SUM STINKIN ICE-HOLE!"

The other PCs, while running are trying to persuade Thugg to maybe stop running- back to stealth etc.

But that's not happening.

Not now.

Oh, look- a Winter Wolf, and where there's one there must be two/more, and possibly other enemies accompanying the wolf 'trackers'.

There follows quite a lot more swearing, many of the PCs have not had any healing since the last fight- Thugg ran off quite quickly.

Still...

Normal service resumes. Bawg with yet another Crit, and then Phreakalus/Piniccarus weaves his magical web. Note this web is about five feet off the floor. Basically allowing creatures (or else the PCs) to scooch under the web (difficult terrain to simulate the difficulty) to get to the other side.

Web in place, the Giantkillers head back the way they've just fled from.

Only...

There are more Ogre Guards heading their way.

Everyone (in the lair, pretty much) is heading their way. To be honest I'm fairly sure we established this- in a brief chat- some time ago. But reality is dawning for the PCs.

And so...

Yen briefly joins the artillery with his magical Two Bird Sling, I think that's what it's called.

While back down south-

The second Winter Wolf has just arrived. It wishes it had stayed at home.

Oop North.

Ogre Guards continue to die. however then Norgrid the Frost Giant shows up.

Darn Sarf.

Thugg Crits again, and the second Winter Wolf is dead.

However, brave Thugg (he is learning) ducks under the web to make himself harder to target.

Which proves to be a very good idea...

As Thunderpants takes a boulder to the face, the dwarven mercenary ex-slave-smith of the Hill Giants, is down to just a handful of hit points.

And yet...

A third Winter Wolf makes it to the fight, and close behind is Nari, yet another Frost Giant warrior.

While back at the front-

Yen has stopped Norgrid the frostie's progress, while Phreakalus is, as ever, firing.

Norgrid accepts the Yen challenge.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

But the follow up...

Hitting Yen is always a problem. The bloody little monk keeps on moving about.

Meantime...

The Winter Wolf savages Thunderpants- he's dead, and so Thugg savages the Winter Wolf- also dead.

And so it's Nari vs Thugg.

Big words. Thugg's AC 20-ish atm, he's almost certainly got a Potion of Speed on the go. He's addicted.

Thugg continues to make threats.

Even when a bunch more Ogre Guards start showing up. Although Thugg is now also taking a moment or two to call to his friends.

Friends?

I'm not sure he has any of them here.

But, everyone loves a kill.

Close, but no cigar.

And the other half of the artillery...

Three Ogre Guards to the south now, while Norgrid- to the north- has taken a beating.

And...

Norgrid may be saying it but the DM is much less certain.

Meantime Thugg is learning to count.

Five Ogre Guards.

I have the feeling that it's still not going to be enough.

Oh, look. Yet another bloody Crit. Four Ogre Guards.

But Nari hits hard.

Thugg stops a couple of big hits with his face. He's almost back to down and dying.

In fact all of the Giantkillers are getting a little pissed off with the constant diet of encounters (and with Thugg).

Mugging for the camera.

And seconds later- Thugg is down and dying once more.

And so, back to an old tactic.

The Yen Healing Potion delivery service.

And seconds later.

Thugg's back on his feet and doing what he does best. That's another Crit in there. Ninety damage in a turn, it's not to be sniffed at.

But that doesn't last...

Nari's greataxe sings and Thugg's down again.

And then Nari cuts down Yen too.

And very suddenly the rest of the gang are in a bit of a tizzy.

While the front line sprawls on the floor making Death Saves.

And what's the best way to nullify the artillery?

Nari tears his way throuhg the web and then sets about beating the crimson heck out of Phreakalus.

But that doesn't last.

An Arcane Jolt from Phreakalus and suddenly Yen's eyes blink open.

The Artificer has also accounted for Nari, the Frost Giant is dead, and the tables have been turned.

Or else are turning.

He does a lot of very good work in the background (mostly) does Phreakalus. He's a lot less show pony than the other three PCs.

And when Yen's awake...

Thugg is awoken.

And...

Thugg!

And the fight is won.

The last Ogre Guard standing is dispatched seconds later, and three turns after that- and accompanied by the sounds of more giant folk charging the Giantkiller's way-

And away... The Giantkillers teleport (using the figure-of-eight chain, see image) back to Waterdeep.

The rotten bastards.

And that ladies and gentlemen is also the end of the session.

The Giantkillers were in the Rift for two minutes over an hour.

That's a lot of dead giants (and friends) in only sixty-or-so minutes.

Imagine what they'd be like if they'd had a plan.

Book of the Dead.
Snorri, Norgrid & Nari- Frost Giants.
Winter Wolf (adults) x5. Yep, another five.
Ogre Guards x12.

Until next time.

Cheers goonalan.

 

[Goonalan]

There Might Be Giants​

PCs
DCI Bawg Race: Unknown Class: Rogue Level: 12 Background: City Watch Investigator
Phreakalus Nevrospastos Race: Human Class: Artificer Level: 12 Background: Courtier
Thrunorus "Thugg" Garn Race: Half-Orc Class: Barbarian Zealot of Bradlust & Fighter Level: 8 & 4 Background: Mercenary Veteran
Yen Stonefist Race: Stout Halfling Class: Monk Level: 12 Background: Hermit

NPCs
Piniccarus, Phreakalus' animated puppet 'son'. Just weird.

Mission 2.
Session 022: Just Desserts.
Mission Time: 00:01 to 00:27

Well, hello.

How are you?

The PCs are miffed, having shipped out of the Glacial Rift in emergency style last session.

Back to Waterdeep, but there are no pictures of this, mainly because it's just shopping, although... not a massive amount of shopping, mainly because the Giantkillers, most of them, are dirt poor.

Prior to this mission Thugg and DCI Bawg spent all of their pennies on new stuff- that was session 14/15 time, the pair had less than 100gp left between them. Yen had about 1,000gp left to spend, Phreakalus maybe 3,000gp.

Their trip to the Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl has not paid off, as of yet, in their first attempt the PCs managed to find a bit of treasure here and there (but not much) and also locate and search two Frost Giant bags. In short, and after selling what little loot they acquired, they had around 1,000gp each to spend- plus the reserves mentioned above.

So, we spent the first ninety or so minutes (I am not even joking) with the PCs discussing the various merits of a variety of potions and/or cheap magic items.

And no- they can't get an advance from their employer.

And no- there are no more Orcs to be hired, and so- this is the stripped down version of the Giantkillers that is heading back into the Rift.

Got that?

Good.

Let's get on.

Here's the first picture-

Twenty Four hours after their forced departure and the Giantkillers are back. DCI Bawg, using his Cloak of the Bat, goes for a fly around to see what's what, this while his colleagues mostly hide out in a mound of snow.

But Bawg can't see anything amiss- and certainly no giants, guards or patrols- there's nothing much in the way of flora or fauna at all here. It's an arctic style tundra.

And so, after an hour or more recon the Giantkillers head to the entrance of the lair/Rift, and...

Send DCI 'Sneaky' Bawg in for a look-see. Note, we forgot to put torches on the PCs (instead of Darkvision) and so everything looks a little dour atm. Further note we replace Darkvision with torches (or else light spells) in-game just so that we can make the pictures on the screen and here look a little more inviting. Verisimilitude can go do one, we are the shiny happy people, and we demand our vision be 4K and in colour.

But, there's nothing to see- the blizzard in here still rages, although 'rage' is over egging it- it's like the fall of polystyrene/snow in a snow globe. Energetic- but only for a bit, and only every now and then.

It's also difficult terrain in all of the areas out in the open, on the ledges above the Rift. Three or so feet of snow can do that.

And so...

They're going very slow, very cautious- and exploring a few extra places (but not everywhere). The thinking is the PCs are going to take the same path as they did last time and see how things have changed. If they can remember it.

The PCs discover that the guard rooms around here- formerly home to Erik and Bjorn (Frost Giants both) are deserted, and not only deserted the chambers look to have been searched by someone other than them- giant-sized beds turned over etc.

Also, the bodies have gone.

They don't think to check where at this point.

Eventually we get to-

The inordinately long corridor- ignore the small black lines on the map, I used these so that I could figure out how far various groups of Frost Giants et al could move in a turn, this rather than having to move all the tokens in Fantasy Grounds (which can be a pain to do when you have thirty plus enemies making their way towards the PCs position).

But here's a thing...

Suddenly a white on white section of the corridor wall peals away from its high-right position and attempts to fall on Bawg, the DCI is convinced the creature is some sort of Ooze. However, due to his myriad skills and Feats the rogue doesn't do surprised.

And so when the Ooze blats him he runs away...

Run Bawg! Run!

Note, Bawg's colleagues are instantly aware of Bawg's situation because once again Phreakalus (I think) has got his telepathic comms spell/thing going.

But Bawg's colleagues (well, one of them- Thugg) has his/their own problem to deal with.

The acid stings a bit.

And so after the artillery- Phreakalus & Yen do their thing, Thugg decides to solve the problem with his axe.

But that doesn't work. The huge White Pudding takes no damage from Thugg's attack, but instead splits into two.

There is screaming.

Mainly from everyone that isn't Thugg.

Because there's good money on what comes next.

That's right-

Thugg does it again- and with a mighty Crit this time.

But that still doesn't work.

And so two become three.

Note, all of the White Puddings have the same attacks etc. as the original creature.

Just many fewer hit points.

Thugg has almost got it now.

Almost.

Like I said- almost. Three become four.

At which point Thugg says something like-

"I see wha's appen in. I ger it. Tha liddle wuns are inside der bigger-uns! Very cleva!"

Also at this point Thugg's colleagues are causing Discord to have a bit of a wobble- the "Nooooooooooooooooo!" from Phreakalus/George was last heard in the movie Platoon. And the swearing! Lummy, it got very fruity.

In precis- Thugg is unpopular.

Who'd a thunk it.

Then the self-generated mob- mobs Thugg.

Natch.

Thugg is beyond bloodied (three blood drops, four = in last quarter of HP), and we've only be here for maybe five to ten minutes. Waythe as always offers a kind word to encourage the half-orc.

And the White Puddings just keep on hitting Thugg.

Thugg is down to critically wounded. I'm doing much better this time (the DM takes a moment to gurn to himself). You'll note Phreakalus has ordered Piniccarus to deliver a +1 Warhammer (found in the Steading) to Thugg. While the rest of his colleagues scream for Thugg to employ the new weapon using their telepathic mobile phone (or whatever).

Note, when the White Puddings take hits they splash acid at their melee attackers.

It's all adding up for Thugg.

He's really not very well atm, but at this point he's also raging and so...

Thugg charges off south heading towards the other White Pudding, while the above was going on Bawg spent his time mostly running away from the original huge ooze.

The second White Pudding doesn't last.

We get to here-

Thugg's hurting. I'd love to tell you that his pride has likewise taken a severe beating but- even on reflection (his colleagues insisted he try) he cannot see what he would have done differently should the encounter be repeated. Thugg is victorious, that's all he understands- the how and the why of it are for other folk to ponder.

The Giantkillers find a spot a little more out of the way and spend five minutes doing some healing, Phreakalus burns through two of his five scrolls of 'Something of Vitality', or whatever it's called. Aura- maybe.

Then, we go again.

Bawg back to the front and scouting.

Bawg heads back out into the semi-storm, and again this is the same route that the PCs took the first time through here.

And it's at this point that I/we remember to turn the lights on.

Anyway Bawg heads off again, and gets a good way ahead of the other PCs.

But here's the thing Bawg is doing stealth atm, and he's very stealthy.

The other PCs?

Much less so.

This is the picture after the event. The event being the large white dragon seen above was formerly attached to the wall above the tunnel/passage currently inhabited by the PCs, then it dropped down- unleashed it's attacks on Yen (with surprise) and then took to the air attempting to get back into the cover of the blizzard.

However, due to a lack of surprise (Feats, Class features etc.), several PCs have a chance to stop the dragon's retreat.

Or else, Phreakalus does.

The White Dragon avoids the Web but takes a hit from Phreakalus' crossbow.

A small amount of confusion follows.

Mostly captioned by a variety of swear words.

Which gets us to here-

The Giantkillers are reminded (the hard way) that the deep snow ledges are difficult terrain. The plan was for them to scarper south and into cover, however even the monk hasn't got enough movement to make the dash.

Note, Thugg ran across to the next cavern almost as soon as the dragon disappeared back in to the blizzard.

This while Phreakalus and Yen prevaricated.

And so...

Enter the (White) Dragon (again). Only at this point a couple of the PCs have readied actions.

But...

Ice! Ice! Baby!

And...

Yen speaks from the heart. Note the dragons cry (in draconic- natch) is not understood by any of the PCs.

And seconds later the dragon back-scoops it's massive off-white wings and is up- back- and away, and back into the blizzard.

There's a lot of swearing.

But the Giantkillers are not running, they're mostly looking for cover and readying actions.

Just in case the bastard comes back.

Which it does.

Well, sort of.

But for a while none of them spot (they were a bit excited) that the dragon that launches itself out of the blizzard and directly at them is... uninjured. It's a second white dragon.

Readied actions get expended.

And then...

We do it all again. DCI Bawg is hurting bad, while Yen can barely stand.

Oh, dear.

But that's the end of the session.

Book of the Dead.
Two or five (Thugg counts five, everyone else two) huge White Puddings.

Until next time.

Cheers goonalan.

 

[Goonalan]

There Might Be Giants​

Duplicate Post?

 

[Goonalan]

There Might Be Giants​

PCs
DCI Bawg Race: Unknown Class: Rogue Level: 12 Background: City Watch Investigator
Phreakalus Nevrospastos Race: Human Class: Artificer Level: 12 Background: Courtier
Thrunorus "Thugg" Garn Race: Half-Orc Class: Barbarian Zealot of Bradlust & Fighter Level: 8 & 4 Background: Mercenary Veteran
Yen Stonefist Race: Stout Halfling Class: Monk Level: 12 Background: Hermit

NPCs
Piniccarus, Phreakalus' animated puppet 'son'. Just weird.

Mission 2.
Session 023: Hard to Swallow.
Mission Time: 00:27 to 00:56

Strap in, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Here we go...

The White Dragon, see last session, back-skulls up and away and back into the storm/blizzard in the rift. The Giantkillers are left clutching their wounds. Momentarily, because seconds later they all run away- back into the tunnels, away from the blizzard outside, away from the dragon(s).

It would be fair to say that they are not happy atm.

More healing takes place, they're getting through their reserves pretty quickly.

Also, there's another tunnel here that the PCs did not explore on their last run through the Rift.

But the unexplored passage leads back out and onto another snowy ledge, and so a stealthy Bawg goes for a quick look, the other PCs are less keen to expose themselves again.

And so, the Giantkillers embrace the familiar, they go back to checking in on all of the caverns they visited on Mission #1 here.

The Ogres were here-

But the bodies of the dead ogres are gone, and their possessions (already searched through by the Giantkillers in Mission #1) have been since their last visit thoroughly searched again.

The thinking is the frost giants here have claimed the fallen, and also searched thoroughly for the personal treasure of their comrades in arms. The thinking is the frost giants have retreated deeper into their lair.

And so...

Next stop, the former abode of Leif and Astrid the Frost Giants., but again- the place has been thoroughly searched since their last visit, and there's no treasure to be found here. Note the Giant killers didn't get a chance to search anywhere after the Ogres lair because soon after killing Astrid, Thugg went on his long-run, which resulted in all of the PCs almost permanently racing to catch up with the wayward half-orc.

Remember this place?

A Hasted Thugg burned through everything he had to race the length of this corridor. Note there's a passage heading south and down from this place (just off-screen in the image above, to the right) which the PCs reckon leads to another part of the frost giant's lair below. They're not keen, atm, to check it out.

And at this point...

Thugg begins to reminisce about all of the good times he had killing giants along this stretch of the Rift/lair. Oh, and the bodies are, of course, gone- and the place has been ransacked. The treasure is gone.

And this place, obviously, was the lair of the Fire Giants (Bunsen and his servant)-

There's another ledge here- out into the blizzard/Rift, Bawg is sent to investigate. The fire giants cavern must lie close to some volcanic fault, the place is sweltering hot, it too has been searched- there's no treasure to be found.

That last phrase is on repeat it seems.

The PCs are not happy, they've still not found any more money and they've taken a bit of a beating, so far.

They continue on- along another icy corridor that leads out onto another icy ledge, this is the place the Giantkillers had to teleport away from- while awaiting more incoming giants.

Thugg flung his javelin of lightning down this corridor.

And so I said to Thugg/Bear- "What's the chance that the javelin is still here?"

Five percent came Bear/Thugg's reply-

The DM rolls, and...

It's a funny old world.

Succinctly put.

And here's where they are at, the second time around-

You can see the way down to the south of this image, the triangle/cone graphic. There seem to be some dark spots on the map- ahead, and also back on the right-hand side of the map. Just saying.

Then, we get on- keep in mind the Giantkillers are taking things slowly here.

Bawg is always out front, always stealthing.

The hill giants the PCs killed on the previous run-through lived here, the bodies are gone- their treasure is gone.

And...

The stone giants lived here, but see above, this place has been entirely cleared out is the present thinking, there's going to be nothing to find, and yet the Giantkillers don't want to get caught out, to leave (possible) enemies behind them, and so...

They continue on.

Although...

Bawg, spots one of the White Dragons- telepathically communicates this to his colleagues who successfully lure the dragon in. Note, the white dragon in the image above is thirty or so feet up and attached to the ice-white cliff above the tunnel/passage depicted. Yen flings a fireball (bead) up at the dragon.

Which leaves it screaming.

And then...

Screeching in anger and terror.

Something must pay.

In this instance it's Thugg & Yen that pay the price, and seconds later the white dragon pushes off from the cliff-face and dives back into the blizzard/Rift.

There is more swearing, it's a war of attrition with the dragons.

Thugg shows his displeasure by running out onto the ledge and swearing his head off in the general direction of the just departed dragon.

At which point, of course,-

The second white dragon swoops out of the blizzard, delivers three attacks- all hits, to Thugg and then departs at speed, although it takes a hit from Yen as it ducks back into the storm.

The Giantkillers decide that they are really going to try and stay under-cover, in the tunnels and passages, in future.

And then within the passages they find this-

A giant-sized, giant-glyph etched into the stone of the floor here. Piniccarus is standing on it, and the passage/chamber beyond looks to be much less snow and more mud. There's also a lot of bones in there.

The glyph translates as "WARNING!"

The PCs are not sure what the warning is about.

Although true to form, and as with all PCs, they initially think that the warning is a ruse.

They're in search of treasure remember.

And so the thought is- there's hidden treasure down this corridor.

How do they do that? PCs?

Phreakalus, eventually- after a bit of debate, heads on in, and soon after starts to feel bad. He's having the warmth of his body seemingly sucked/bled out of him, he takes a chunk of cold damage.

The artificer, somewhat confused- there was nothing attacking him, flees the scene.

More chat follows- what's going on here?

However, Phreakalus has another experiment to try.

He glugs out a pool of lamp oil onto the floor of the cavern, just beyond the ice line- just into the mud, and then ignites the oil.

The fire ignites, and then again something changes- the environment seems now to be sucking the warmth out of the fire, and in that moment the dirty muddy area seems to expand at speed, to encompass Phreakalus and all of his comrades.

The Brown Mold (identified a little later) grows exponentially, the Giantkillers feel its growing pains, at which point they depart the area at speed.

There's no treasure to be had down there.

Things are still not going well.

And then...

There's another massive ledge ahead- back out into the open. Bawg, as always, goes ahead- the rogue can also see there's a stepped way down here, down into the Rift.

And here's where we are at-

The Giantkillers are almost all the way around to the entrance. They're almost there.

Almost.

And so the Giantkillers make the run along the latest (and largest to date) icy ledge, trying to get undercover again.

In truth Phreakalus and Piniccarus are not even attempting to be stealthy.

And so...

The ice (within the circle) suddenly cracks and buckles as punching it's way up and out is a heavily armoured insect-featured great worm/centipede (of some kind). The creature's arching back is engulfed in flickering flames- waves of heat spew from the beast, melting any ice it comes in contact with.

The creature bites its prey.

1d6 = 1-2 Thugg, 3-4 Phreakalus, 5-6 Piniccarus.

And it hurts...

It hurts Phreakalus a lot, and he's in the creatures jaws, and soon after lifted twenty or so feet above the ice. He's also grappled and restrained.

Bawg, he doesn't do surprised, takes aim-

And then the Giantkillers expend everything they have got in an effort to do either as much damage as they can to the creature, or else (for Phreakalus) to escape the creature's bite/grip.

They're all in.

A massive Crit there from Thugg, and if you are wondering where Phreakalus is at- well, he's been swallowed. Also, it's a Remorhaz.

Lovely.

It goes like this.

Phreakalus is bitten and swallowed- and reduced to negative HP, he's unconscious. Next turn he takes 6d6 acid damage and effectively auto fails a Death Save. Then he passes a Death Save on his turn roll. Next turn- the Remorhaz retreats back into it's burrow/hole, Phreakalus takes 6d6 acid damage again- two auto fails, and then- he fails a Death Save and he's dead.

Here it is-

That was quick. And the screen is black because Phreakalus is also blinded, he's in the Remorhaz's gullet remember.

Piniccarus, his puppet child, enjoys one full turn of true sentience, and then he too dies.

It's all very sad.

There follows a few moments of madness.

DCI Bawg flees for cover- smart chap, and starts shouting for his fellows to follow.

Yen runs into the hole/depression left by the retreating Remorhaz (it went back down the burrow/hole it had created) but can't see a way down to the retreating monstrosity, and so he too runs after Bawg heading for cover.

But Thugg... Thugg gets into the hole and starts chopping- he's trying to smash his way into the Remorhaz's burrow/exit tunnel.

The DM says- "it'll take a '20' to get anywhere that way."

That's the '20', and so Thugg hacks away and suddenly a large chunk of ice detaches and falls and he's standing on the precipice of a thirty foot deep hole, at the bottom of which is- the retreating Remorhaz. Also you'll note in the picture above Yen and Bawg have just spotted a white dragon come swooping out of the blizzard, and directly at the pair.

It's all kicking off.

But that's the end of the session, we went well over time with this one.

Book of the Dead.
Phreakalus & Piniccarus.

Until next time.

Cheers goonalan.

 

[Goonalan]

There Might Be Giants​

PCs
DCI Bawg Race: Unknown Class: Rogue Level: 12 Background: City Watch Investigator
Phreakalus Nevrospastos Race: Human Class: Artificer Level: 12 Background: Courtier
Thrunorus "Thugg" Garn Race: Half-Orc Class: Barbarian Zealot of Bradlust & Fighter Level: 8 & 4 Background: Mercenary Veteran
Yen Stonefist Race: Stout Halfling Class: Monk Level: 12 Background: Hermit

NPCs
Piniccarus, Phreakalus' animated puppet 'son'. Just weird.

Mission 2.
Session 024a: Heroes & Zeroes.
Mission Time: 00:56 to 01:04

Clunk-click, every trip- it's going to be a very short and very bumpy ride.

Here we go...

To recap- Phreakalus (and his weird son/puppet) are dead. The Remorhaz has retreated into its burrow (with the fizzing corpse of Phreakalus in its belly*). Thugg has just spent every action he has (although he's still got some movement left) to get to the spot from which the Remorhaz just departed (down), and to smash his way through the rubble of ice and stone to re-open the retreating creature's burrow. With a '20'.

*This will become important in a bit- keep reading.

We were already over time last session when all of this happened, and so I suggested that we stop the action mid-Thugg's turn so that when we come back Thugg will have gained and Inspiration Point. I always give one out (and no more) to every PC who survives the session.

And so Thugg has just got an IP and it's still his turn.

Nice of me I know, but at this point I'm planning to try and eat Thugg, so not all hearts and flowers.

To make clear Thugg isn't raging and has about thirty-something hit points left, my Remorhaz has about fifty hit points left, and so- I'm happy to let the dice fall.

Oh, and just to say while Thugg is doing his do, DCI Bawg and Yen have just spotted one of the two young white dragons they have been fighting, it's diving out of the blizzard and coming directly towards them.

They've got their own problem to deal with.

And so...

Thugg jumps into the hole, trying to slow his descent where and when he can, he rolls 20+ on his athletics check to reduce the damage of the fall, I roll three D6, he takes half-damage. That's... two damage. My dice.

Then he spends his IP-

Which gives him two attacks. A hit, but every time Thugg hits he's engulfed in flames, and then second attack, and... a Crit. The bastard, and because he's rolled a Crit for some damn reason (Class Feature, I think) he gets another attack.

However...

He doesn't need another attack. He does however take a little more fire damage, and the DM warns him that he will continue to do so if he doesn't get away from the Remorhaz's burning body. The burrow at present is a furnace. It will cool down in a bit- the DM let's him know- in time.

Because... well, we'll get to that.

While DCI Bawg congratulates Thugg on his... whatever it is- bravery/idiocy/heroics- you decide. The rogue and the monk have, as I've already said, got their own problem.

Oh, but just to say- it wasn't Phreakalus that was casting a spell to conjure the telepathic space phone that these guys are using to chat to each other, it's another feature of Bawg's psionics.

And so...

The white dragon spews a hellish white storm and Yen and Bawg freeze.

Yen is just barely hanging on to life, on something like three hit points. The dragon wing turns and heads back into the blizzard- nearly, but not quite out of sight... and range.

Note, even Waythe is complementing Thugg.

And so...

DCI Bawg shoots it out of the air. Actually, the white dragon screeches in despair, flaps it's wings despairingly for a second and then stalls and tumbles, helter-skelter, and out of sight- into the blizzard filled rift.

There is cheering, and soon after- the sharing out of XP.

Not that we're using XP, we've made the decision to stick to milestones because that guys have already got enough XP atm to be level 13, they're nearly half the way to 14 to be precise.

They are all heroes.

The ones that are left.

Nothing can tarnish this glorious moment.

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Except what follows.

There are no pictures of this bit.

And so what follows is this.

Thugg attempts to crawl into the mouth of the Remorhaz to retrieve the body of Phreakalus*.

This doesn't work, and to make clear- it doesn't work badly. Thugg is swiftly down to just over ten hit points.

Note, his colleagues are telepathically screaming at Thugg by this point.

In summary- get out of the hole!

Thugg therefore tries to wrestle/drag the Remorhaz out of the burrow/hole.

I tried to explain to him, but...

He gets burnt a bit more (by the Remorhaz) and then the hole starts collapsing in on its self.

Soon after...

He escapes the collapsing fiery burrow on maybe three hit points.

DCI Bawg and Yen, up top, are helping matters by shouting encouragement to Thugg (see above).

This as the three remaining Giantkillers discover that the only rope anyone possess is in Phreakalus' bag of holding.

And the only healing potions that anyone possess is in Phreakalus' bag of holding.

It turns to arguing remarkably quickly.

A low level bickering mostly, with a bit of backbiting- as several folk point out that Thugg is indeed a magnificent fool, but also an idiot. This goes on for a little while.

And then, still mid-bicker, the PCs grab out the magic teleporting figure of eight, set it out, say the magic words and head back to Waterdeep.

Overjoyed, but also a little discouraged.

They managed to last two minutes longer than in Mission #1, go team Giantkillers.

The next bit in Part B.

Book of the Dead.
Young White Dragon x1 (there's another one yet).
Remorhaz x1

Both of these were just a few shy of Max HP.

Until next time.

Cheers goonalan.

 

[Goonalan]

There Might Be Giants​

PCs
DCI Bawg Race: Unknown Class: Rogue Level: 12 Background: City Watch Investigator
Sadistica Ashdaughter Race: Half-Elf Class: Sorcerer & Warlock Level: 9 & 3 Background: Acolyte
Thrunorus "Thugg" Garn Race: Half-Orc Class: Barbarian Zealot of Bradlust & Fighter Level: 8 & 4 Background: Mercenary Veteran
Yen Stonefist Race: Stout Halfling Class: Monk Level: 12 Background: Hermit

Dead PCs & NPCs
Phreakalus Nevrospastos Race: Human Class: Artificer Level: 12 Background: Courtier
Piniccarus, Phreakalus' animated puppet 'son'. Just weird.

Mission 3.
Session 024b: Say Hello to Sadie.
Mission Time: 00:00 to 00:00

And so the Giantkillers teleport back to Waterdeep. Again.

But here's the thing that they had mostly forgotten (before the teleported out).

They still don't have any money.

Mission #2 garnered them exactly zero gp, and nothing to sell- all of the various frost giant chambers they nosed around had been previously turned over (probably by other frost giants) and everything of value taken. Also, all the dead bodies- they gone too, and so cannot be searched.

And so the Giantkillers meet with their new recruit, Sadie. And then Thugg buys some javelins- he forgot to top up his supply last time, oh and a few people manage to scrape the pennies together to buy some rope.

Then, after a short rest and a few bits and pieces, the Giantkillers teleport back to the Rift.

They've been away a little less than three hours.

The commute's great but the job is killing them.

Oh, and here's Sadistica Ashdaughter, Spawn o' the Demon Dragon, Mistress o' the Cruel Night, She-Who-Revels-in-Agony.

Sadie to her friends.

This is what she has to say-

Hello loves, my name is Sadistica Ashdaughter, Spawn o' the Demon Dragon, Mistress o' the Cruel Night, She-Who-Revels-in-Agony; but I'm retired, so y'can call me Sadie.

About three 'undred year ago I were a bit wild. You know 'ow some young girls get when they're raised all religious. Burnt and enslaved a few towns near Cormyr, the usual stuff, once you start with that blood sacrifice and “demonic congress” an' all that, it can get out of 'and real quick. Anyway, one day, along comes this lovely young man with very shiny armour and so much passion and stamina, he quite turned me 'ead. Can't remember 'is name f' t' life of me, but 'e were very convincin', with his speeches about love and goodness and the like.

So, I stabbed old dad in the back and I turned meself in. Now, they wanted to hang me of course, but he were obviously pretty good at speeches so they settled for locking me up for a bit.

Little while ago they decided I'd been in there long enough, and everyone who'd been involved were long dead anyway, so they kicked me out.

Not really sure what to do with meself if I'm honest. That shiny young lad killed most of the demons holdin' me contracts while I were in there, so I've got a bit of a clean slate.

I do miss the lad, he'd tell me all these lovely stories about travelling and adventure while we got our breath back. So I decided it might be time to go see if 'e were just sayin' it to keep me interested.

Done a fair bit of adventuring now, and I 'ave to say, it's dead fun. Even found a way t' draw on the godly side of me heritige, instead of the dragon bit. They said it would "purge all the evil" or the like, but really it's just calmed me down a bit and turned me a funny colour.

'ad to leave me last party, as the paladin were starting to give me funny looks. You know 'ow they get. But, lucky me, on me way back I ran into another party looking for more members. Can't keep a good girl down, eh? Kinda good anyway, I'm doin me best.

Nobody's perfect.

Mission 3 proper in a bit, possibly tomorrow.

Cheers goonalan & the Giantkillers (especially George who does 95% of the pictures, I'm almost sorry I killed his Artificer).

 

[Richards]

Okay: "Hello, Sadie!"

Johnathan

 

[Goonalan]

There Might Be Giants​

PCs
DCI Bawg Race: Unknown Class: Rogue Level: 12 Background: City Watch Investigator
Sadistica Ashdaughter Race: Half-Elf Class: Sorcerer & Warlock Level: 9 & 3 Background: Acolyte
Thrunorus "Thugg" Garn Race: Half-Orc Class: Barbarian Zealot of Bradlust & Fighter Level: 8 & 4 Background: Mercenary Veteran
Yen Stonefist Race: Stout Halfling Class: Monk Level: 12 Background: Hermit

Dead PCs & NPCs
Phreakalus Nevrospastos Race: Human Class: Artificer Level: 12 Background: Courtier
Piniccarus, Phreakalus' animated puppet 'son'. Just weird.

Mission 3.
Session 024c: Quietly Does It.
Mission Time: 00:01 to 00:35

Here we go again, but there are no (more) pictures taken of the outside of the Rift, the Giantkillers are all business, they want to get back on it.

But, and this is paramount, they're very very cautious.

In previous missions DCI Bawg was sent ahead for a sneak about, but this was mostly confounded (time and time again) by Thugg who- every now and then- would catch up with Bawg and ruin his sneaking, or else he'd get a little ahead- and Thugg only rolls 3's on his Stealth checks.

Apparently this can be frustrating. At least that was Bawg's (repeated) take on things.

But that's done.

Not any more. Not this time.

If I was a less generous DM I'd say the Giantkillers are a little bit frightened.

And so here we go again. Mission #3 is underway.

It begins, as always, with an argument about which way to go.

This takes a while to play out.

In the end the decision is made to try and investigate some of the places that the PCs have not been to as of yet.

Like this place.

The cavern depicted is on the eastern side of the great rift, and the PCs have never been here before. It's empty. And silent.

But a little further in and...

There's another large cavern and embedded in the ice pillars here are a number of dead humanoids, ex-adventurers all, by the look of them, and there's a hint here and there that the ice-entombed victims have (maybe) a treasure or two betwixt and between them. They are all however thoroughly encased in ice.

There follows another ten minute debate about the nature of things here.

The working theory is... the creatures within the ice are some form of undead.

Honestly, they do it to themselves.

Thugg is having none of it, he sidle's up to the nearest icy victim- the half-elf depicted above with a bag of either silver, electrum or platinum. He attempts to shatter the treasure out.

His colleagues back off away, while whispering their various warnings.

Oh, and they've got the telepathic comms thing going again, also Sadie has dropped an Aid spell on pretty much all of them.

Anyway, Thugg goes treasure hunting...

At which point the ceiling collapses. Thugg takes a modicum of bludgeoning damage and is buried in fifteen feet of snow and ice (and rock). The rest of the Giantkillers have four or five turns (Con bonus) to get him out before the air runs out for the half-orc.

Which, of course, they achieve. Thugg mostly punches and pushes his own way out. His Athletics checks to do so are all 20+.

After the first collapse Sadie fires in half-a-dozen Eldritch Blasts and collapses (safely) the rest of the ceiling within the cave.

Note, Sadie uses a Flying Broom to get around, but only within the caverns- flying out on the ledges is difficult in the blizzard/storm.

Then, while Yen stands watch the rest of the Giantkillers (but mostly Thugg) dig out and then smash open/up the remaining icy dead adventurers here.

And steal their treasure, there's some good stuff here- including the beautiful ring shown, and also a very fine looking staff. But the Giantkillers are keen to get on, and besides none of them has the magic to detect/identify any of the good stuff, and so Bags of Holding are filled.

They also discover in the same cavern complex the former lair of the winter wolves-

But the place is empty.

And then, once the place is cleared and checked, they get back to arguing about where they should head next.

Here's the thing.

This map/image taken from the write up here on ENWorld. The red circle (I hope, I'm as colour blind as colour blind gets- CP4) is the area the PCs have just investigated. The blue (maybe) circle has not been investigated, but then again neither has the area to the north on the western side of the Rift.

The arguing goes on for a little while, until Bawg gets his way.

The Giantkillers are going west first, in an attempt to fill in the map.

And so here we are-

Back down the icy stairs and onto the western side of the Rift, and into a massive cavern.

Note, the DM at this point is doing his best to keep the tension high, there's a lot of strange noises- creaking ice, the sound of the storm etc.

The Giantkillers are, as I have already explained, being very cautious.

The massive cavern is empty, and possibly the former lair of the yeti, a little later DCI Bawg finds a cache of ivory buried in the cavern to the east, which may have been the chief-yeti's lair. More money.

The PCs head back out onto the ridge, back into the storm, and then head on.

Note they are trying to spend as little time as they can exposed on the ledges above the Rift, this because that's when the dragons attacked them.

Although one of the White Dragon's is dead. Just one left.

Here they are again-

Now here's the thing, the next cavern opening along- just to the left of Bawg, is a little odd- a fine, slightly warm, dense mist issues from here- it's as if the cavern is smoking.

The Giantkillers go on high alert.

Bawg is convinced- this is the dragon's lair.

The Giantkillers make ready, they're going in.

Bawg shares a pinch of his Dust of Disappearing with his colleagues.

Ready...

But that's the end of the session.

We'll see if its the remaining White Dragon next time.

Oh, but it's worth mentioning that the PCs are convinced (Bawg again) that the two Young White Dragons they encountered here are the spawn of a much bigger White Dragon, who is also laired down here.

And again- they build the threat for themselves.

Lovely.

Book of the Dead.
Nothing.

Until next time.

Cheers goonalan.