(IC) Against the Giants PBP Group 1

[Blue]

"Err, your attention please," Eoghan called out to the rescuees, "do any of you happen to know another way out besides the stairs back to the steading? Please, speak up if you do."

OOC: In case you want a Persuasion roll, here it is: Persuasion: 1D20+13 = [16]+13 = 29

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"A way oot?" asked the most talkative dwarf, "Nah, we ain't foond a way oot. There's ways t'go doon inta th'dark, an' we've tho' of takin' them. But we dinnae ken where they lead."

An orc shrugged and added, "We shud fight arh way out; up'n'out. Take as many giants as we can onna way. D'ya have extra weapons?"

The two orcs who had been leading the orcs that had helped the group so far came down the tunnel, carrying axes that had belonged to the orogs and morninstars that had belonged to the bugbears. They broke chains, handed out weapons, and formed into two mob-like units, ready to go when the group was.

Looking around them, the group found that there were only five choices on which way to proceed, and four of them were unknown: 1) Back the way they came; 2) An unknown, rubble-strewn hole that lead to as-yet unknown but a clearly ancient stoneworked hall; 3) A hole in the ground leading to who-knows-what; 4) A rubble-strewn natural tunnel; 5) Another natural tunnel, but further back and heading downward.

Spoiler: Map

While reviewing their options, it was suddenly noticed that Tenibor had disappeared. When asked if anyone had seen him go, the dwarf Harmock stated simply, "I think I saw 'im go that way!"

He indicated the furthest tunnel (5).

 

[Blue]

~<Tenibor, are you okay?>~ Eoghan projects, concern thick even in his mental voice.

OOC: @TerraDave

 

[FitzTheRuke]

OOC: TerraDave had to drop out (Running Against the Giants IRL and has to read the adventure, didn't want to ruin it). I have a story to explain it, but at the same time, you don't need to perform heroics to rescue Tenibor). You can try if you like, though!

 

[Lidgar]

~Maybe we should head up that tunnel,~ Jack projected to the others while wiping and sheathing his blade.

 

[Shadowedeyes]

~I'm not sure how much longer I can keep fighting.~ Valda admitted over the mindlink. She didn't like to admit it, but in the last fight against the stone giants she had gotten hit hard. She could feel pain lancing down her side as she breathed.

 

[Blue]

Eoghan keeps his face impassive while speaking over the link only to his compatriots.

~<The prisoners and orcs don't know if any of these will lead us out. But if we go back up we most definitely will fight with this many making noise. Do we risk exploring, which may give us a safe way out and a covert way back in, or do we head up. Myself, I would push deeper, though I too have little left to give.>~

 

[Hriston]

Bible nods in agreement at Jack and Eoghan's suggestions to follow the tunnel leading down.

~<Let's presk on,>~ she says over the mind-link. ~<Ten-bor might need some help, and there's no tellin' what's waitin' for us upskairs with all the mischief we've caused today.>~

Seeing how badly off Valda is looking, Bible thoughtfully feels inside a pouch hanging at her belt, bringing out a tiny vial of green liquid, and offers it to the runeblade.

"It's me lask one," she says, "but you can have it. It'll do you some good."

 

[Blue]

OOC: There's a couple different ways to press on. If someone starts going one, Eoghan will follow. I don't think we have enough information to have a long debate, so let's not drag this out. Someone make a call and I'm with you. Otherwise on Wednesday I'll post about heading towards: 2) An unknown, rubble-strewn hole that lead to as-yet unknown but a clearly ancient stoneworked hall

 

[Lidgar]

Motioning the party to follow, Jack moved quietly towards the tunnel Harmock indicated.

OOC: Jack moves to Tunnel #5, watching and listening for any signs of trouble. Stealthily moving towards tunnel #5: 1D20+13 = [18]+13 = 31

 

[Blue]

Eoghan followed well behind so as not to interrupt the stealthy scouting. He gestured for the liberated prisoners, dwarves, and freedom-looking orcs to follow along as well.

 

[Shadowedeyes]

"Save it. I've got one I can use." Valda nods in appreciation to Bible however before fishing out her own vial and downing it.

OOC: Back up to 35 hit points. Potion of Greater Healing: 4D4+4 = [1, 4, 2, 1]+4 = 12

 

[Blue]

"I am not in the front, please take mine even if just to hold", Eoghan intoned while holding out another vial.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Jack slipped into the furthest tunnel, following Tenibor, who seemed to be stumbling off into the dark in some sort of daze. The others went to follow him, letting him have something of a lead. Where the tunnel split into multiple passageways, Bible was stepping over a ridge of rock when it suddenly slid sideways and then reached up for her. She dove to the side, and realized that the whole of the tunnel had erupted into stone-like tentacles. Two were wrapped around Cordit's ape-arms, and another was wrapped around Valda and dragging her off into the north-west tunnel.

Eoghan had been holding back, keeping track of the new dwarf and orc freed prisoners (though it occurred to him now that it might be safest to send them to where the Elf Knight Tamanar was watching over others of their kin with two human guards, back in the Crypt that had been converted into a barracks). Through Cordit's shaggy ape-form, he could just make out the dwarf Harmock, who seemed to be watching with sinister amusement as Valda slid past him.

GM: Encounter: Roper Tunnels

Spoiler: Map

(General Features) Difficult Terrain: tunnels; Visibility: dim (torches); Cover: walls

Spoiler: Allies

Name * AC * HP * Hit Dice * PasPrc * Spells (Etc) * (Notes)
(PCs)
Bible AC19* HP 50/85 THP 0/8 HD 3/9 PP16 AS 0/1 2W 1/1 Ind 1/1
Eoghan AC15 HP 74/75 THP 8/8 HD 3/9 PP19 SSdc17 0/4 0/3 1/3 1/3 0/1 BI 4/5
Jack AC17 HP 31/66 THP 0/8 HD 9/9 PP20 LK 1/3
Quinn AC17* HP 57/62 THP 8/8 HD 9/9 PP19 SSdc18 2/4 0/3 1/3 1/3 0/1 WS 1/2 GB 0/4 CO 2/4 ET 1/1 DS 1/1 H 1/1 MS 0/1 Ba 1/1
Valda AC19* HP 35/83 THP 0/8 HD 8/9 PP15 AS 0/1 2W 0/1 RNdc15 2/3 GM 3/4 RS 3/4 Ind 1/1
(NPCs - Going Forward)
Cordit AC12 HP 11/11 PP12
-as GiantApe AC12 HP 41/157 THP 8/8 PP14 (time remaining: 35 mins)
Dwarf1 (Harmock) AC10 HP 1/5 PP10*
Tenibor AC13(16) HP 56/56 THP 8/8 HD 7/9 PP16* SSdc16 2/4 0/3 1/3 2/3 1/1 WoMM 4/7 LK 2/3

Spoiler: Enemies

Name * AC * HP * PP * (Notes)
(BGs)
Roper AC20 HP93/93 PP16*

GM: Begin Round One

 

[Blue]

"Cordit, move!", Eoghan called, blocked from even seeing what was happening.

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Quinn tries to push around Cordit to see what was attacking the group. As he tries to move a ball of fire appears in his hand ready to be thrown at any enemies.

OOC: I will try to move past Cordit up to DT81. I will then cast Produce Flame at the Roper if I can. If not I will hold and cast when I am able. Produce flame attack at Roper: 1d20+10 24 2d8 8

 

[Blue]

OOC: This is for if Cordit moves. Otherwise, Eoghan will ready looking for more enemies

Eoghan dashed toward the noise, surprise flicking his large eartips back. He paused for a brief moment then a defiant poem ripped from his lips.

"A skin of stone / and without doubt / a heart of one too,
Arms that reach / to feed a maw / of that we hav'a clue,
But Valda comes / and Bible too / times look bad for you,
We won't be stopped / not by a block / can't beat our retinue"

He coughs and looks around.

~<My apologies, Common scans so oddly. Arg, I could have done 'your death is overdue'. No wait, too many syllables.>~

OOC: Move action to DT83. Vicious Mockery : WIS save DC 17 or 3 psychic damage and disadvantage on next attack. Vicious Mockery: 2D4 = [1, 2] = 3

 

[Hriston]

Bible has just replaced her last healing potion safely into its pouch and is about to follow Jack along the tunnel, when she sees tentacles wrapping themselves around Cordit's arms.

"Hands off!" she says as she draws her sword and slashes at the tentacles.

OOC: Longsword, +1, attack: 1D20+10 = [19]+10 = 29 Critical damage: 2D8+8 = [5, 5]+8 = 18 Longsword, +1, attack: 1D20+10 = [12]+10 = 22 Damage: 1D8+8 = [4]+8 = 12

Then, having freed her friend, she charges off down the tunnel to assist Valda.

 

[Blue]

OOC: @Lidgar , @Shadowedeyes it's your actions.

 

[Lidgar]

Hearing a commotion behind him, Jack frowns at the back of Tenibor before pivoting on his heel and moving swiftly back towards the others. "Damn," he cursed as he rounded the corner, seeing a mass of tentacles and some kind of pillar of rock with plenty of teeth just in front of Valda. He then once again brought out Darling and fired, only to see his shot go wide.

OOC: Jack uses cunning action to move and then dash to DU81 or thereabouts. Sneak attack with light crossbow: 1D20+10 = [5]+10 = 15 1D8+6+5D6 = [1]+6+[1, 5, 1, 4, 3] = 21