(IC) Against the Giants PBP Group 2

[Snarf Zagyg]

As Doc saw the shadow move away, he noticed the glint of the gemstones and the ring reflected in the queasy light. Not the provisions I was hopin' to drink, but might be enough for a stake at a table.

Doc grabbed the gemstones and the ring in his hand and examined them more closely, calling out to the others- Reckon there's no more business in these parts.

OOC: Doc grabs the gems and ring and examines them.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Doc looked at the gems. Each would probably fetch five-hundred dollars worth of chips at the Cat's Corpse Casino. Quite the lode; enough to set one up at the high-rollers tables, where the Devils tended to play. The ring was harder to tell. It would certainly pawn for a pretty penny, but it had something of a strange, cracked purple brain-looking gem inset in silver. It was ugly and the brain-gem seemed to glisten with an unsettling moisture.

Doc had always found unliving objects that acted like living things to be far creepier than living creatures that acted like dead things. That was probably true for nearly everyone from the Whispering Mesa.

OOC: That's closer to 1000gp each in this land's cash. Shall we move on to the Forge, then?

 

[FitzTheRuke]

OOC: Here, let's get your bearings with a map. KEY: 1) The Forge. Through these doors you can hear the clanging of hammer-on-anvil. 2) Unknown. 3) Back toward the stairs and the big storage room (where the bugbears were). 4) Unknown. 5) Hallway starts to slope down into darkness and rubble. 6) The hole in the back of the Crypt-Barracks that leads to the Excavation Site (& the uncovered Temple). Doc, Duvrael, & Kaligan have presumably just returned from there.

Spoiler: Map of T-Junction

 

[Kobold Stew]

The Colonel looks to his companions. "On to the forge?" He turns to the dwarves. "Your colleagues are inside, and we will get them. You should stay safe, but gathering them together, releasing their bonds, would be a help. You are leaving this place today."

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The dwarves had been worked hard enough to be in little shape for a fight, but they were more than willing to do whatever they could. One way that they could help would be to throw open the big doors to the forge while the others prepared to run through it.

OOC: Yes? Open the doors? Feel free to call out "starting squares" for your characters, if no one objects to moving in.

 

[Tonguez]

“How many giants are we expecting in the forge?” Kahru asked of the dwarves and of their stone giant guide, hoping that at least one of them had been in there before and knew they lay of the land “we can hear their hammers ringing, so they are armed, though hopefully they are working and distracted.

Colonel’ Kahru addressed the Genasi “Are we rushing in to battle or using caution to release the captives first?”

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"Inna forge? Joost the one, answered one of the dwarves regarding giants, "But one's more'n enoof. 'Ees a Fire Giant, an'ees got th'temper t'match!"

Another said, "Aye, but there's bound t'be Hill Giants aboot as well. They loov t'torture those've us who get uppity. I ken it well! I've the scars t'proove it."

The first added, "Aye, an'the rack is joost north'a th'forge. They're bound t'hear."

 

[Kobold Stew]

"That's very helpful," says the Colonel. "I think I can keep things quiet enough so that those at the Rack don't hear," he suggests. "We can focus our attention on the Fire Giant. I am prepared for us to go in swinging, hoping that we might gain some surprise by doing so. I might be able to keep the Fire iant out of the fight for a while."

OOC: Current spells: 3/4 2/3 3/3 3/3 0/1. (corrected) Not knowing what we'll see, the Colonel's plan would be either Banishment, which seemed v. effective last time, and perhaps it could be used again against the single fire giant (who of course might have a better save), or Silence, which has a longer range and can keep things quiet from the Rack. Once we see the layout, we'll know if it is practicable to try to stop anyone fleeing towards the Rack. We might be able to get in-and-out with the Fire Giant banished, if we were quick with the Hill dwarves. (?)

 

[Steve Gorak]

Gimlak eyes his kin and says “stay back and don’t get involved in the fight. You’ve been through enough and I want to bring you home”.

He nods at the colonel’s plan and gets ready to enter.

OOC: as a caster, Gimlak will let the front liners go in first

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Doc lights a fresh cheroot and plants it firmly in his thin lips, then pulls the brim of his hat low while slightly adjusting his poncho and feeling the Peacemaker rest easy in his hand.

He nods at the Colonel and exhales, Figure we go in shootin'.

OOC: Doc works best at range, so will enter after the front line, prepared to hex and shoot and let the Sheriff sort out the souls.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The Dwarves held the big doors to the Forge until the Colonel gave them a nod, then they shoved as hard as they could. The doors opened slowly, revealing a blazing hot room where a red-faced giant stood wearing a heavy apron and gloves, and holding a hot pair of tongs and a hammer. A fiery inferno burned within a vast iron and stone forge, while an enormous anvil stood between the giant and the door.

Four dwarves wearing leg-irons shuffled about, carrying water, holding leather polishing cloths, and pumping the bellows. Watching them were two armed orogs, and two orcs who were also armed, apparently loyal to the giants and overseeing the dwarves.

To the north, double-doors lay open, where someone was shouting in pain from obvious torture.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

GM: Encounter: Cellar Forge

Spoiler: Map

(General Features) Difficult Terrain: crates; Visibility: Bright (braziers; daylight through smoke-hole), forge; Cover: anvil, bed, water-barrels; Spells: none

Spoiler: Allies

Name * AC * HP * Hit Dice * PasPrc * Spells (Etc) * (Notes)
(PCs)
Colonel AC19* HP 46/66 THP 0/13 HD 9/9 PP19* SSdc18 3/4 2/3 3/3 2/3 0/1 CD 2/2 WotS 5/5 MyS 1/1
Doc AC14 HP 53/84 THP 0/13 HD 9/9 PP20* SSdc16 1/2 Wls 4/4 Crs 1/1 PL 3/4 Wsp 1/1
Duvrael AC12(15) HP 56/56 THP 13/13 HD 9/9 PP15* SSdc17 2/4 2/3 3/3 2/3 0/1
Gimlak AC17 HP 68/68 THP 7/13 HD 9/9 PP12* SSdc17 3/4 3/3 3/3 2/3 0/1 SP 6/12
Kahru AC15 HP 39/83 HD 9/9 THP 0/13 PP16 SSdc14 4/4 2/3 3/3 WS 1/2 Rg 2/3 Stf 7/7
-Kahru-Bear AC12 HP 42/42
Kaligan AC18* HP 18/76 THP 0/13 HD 9/9 PP14 PD 8/8 DT 1/1 TK 1/1 AS 1/1 2W 1/1 ID 1/1
(NPCs)
Donnell AC19* HP29/29 THP 13/13 HD 4/4 AS 0/1 2W 1/1
Hiss AC13 HP 2/2 PP10* ts10'
Dwarves AC10 HP5ea PP10*
-D1 5/5; D2 5/5; D3 5/5;
-D4 5/5; D5 5/5; D6 5/5;
-D7 5/5; D8 5/5; D9 5/5;

Spoiler: Enemies

Name * AC * HP * PP * (Notes)
(BGs)
Fire Giant AC18 HP 162/162 PP16*
Stone Giant AC17 HP 94/126ea PP14*
-SG1 94/126; SG2 94/126
Hill Giants AC13 HP105ea PP12
-HG1 105/105; HG2 105/105;
Orogs AC18 HP42ea PP10*
-Og1 42/42; Og2 42/42;
Orcs AC13 HP15ea PP 10*
-O1 15/15; O2 15/15;

GM: Begin Round One

 

[Kobold Stew]

The colonel walks in and says, clearly, "Begone."

OOC: Action: Cast Banishment. DC Charisma 18 save, or we have a minute!

 

[Tonguez]

It seemed wise, before the doors opened, for the druid to seek protection from the energy of the fire, he called upon the spirit of the forge and prepared himself by drawing Waythe and readying the long sword for whatever lay within “rejoice friend! we face a strong enemy now, be prepared”

When the doors swung upon Kahru’s eyes went wide was he finally saw the brazen bulk of the fire giant hammering at the forge. He was glad there was an anvil between the forgemaster and the door and he took the time to scan the rest of the room, the chained dwarves, guards and northern doors.

“lock those doors!” Kahru pointed to the double doors that led to tortured screaming. He hoped to Charm the Orog and Orc that stood to the north and then follow after them, securing the position as the Colonel sought to banish the ildjotunen threat as the others moved in behind them.

OOC: Spell 1 Protection from Energy (Fire) on self (done prior to entry through the doors). @FitzTheRuke whats your policy or retoactive actions Spell 2 Charm Person Level 2 Slot v Orog 1 and Orc 1 wis save DC14 Kahru AC15 HP 39/83 HD 9/9 THP 0/13 PP16 SSdc14 4/4 1/3 2/3 WS 1/2 Rg 2/3 Stf 7/7 -Kahru-Bear AC12 HP 42/42

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The fire giant looked up from his work as a powerful wind blew through the room and carried him off to parts unknown.

Kahru strode forth and spoke with authority. The orog and the orc that were in the northern part of the room nodded and headed for the open doors, intent on closing them.

OOC: He had a decent chance of making the save, but nope. Banished. The orog & orc were closer to making it, but no.

Spoiler: Rolls

dc18 CHA Save: 1D20+5 = [3]+5 = 8

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Spell 1 Protection from Energy (Fire) on self (done prior to entry through the doors) @FitzTheRuke whats your policy or retoactive actionss.

OOC: My policy is: If it makes sense, it's no problem.

 

[Steve Gorak]

With the fire giant gone, and the northern Orc and Orog doing's Kahru's bidding, Gimlak addresses the remaining orc and orog. "you two, go and help them with the doors." He didn't want to risk the lives of the dwarves, so told them nothing, yet.

OOC: Going for convincing them we're an authority figure. Deception: 15

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The orog turned his head to look at his companions who were following Kahru's orders and nodded to Gimlak. The orc stood his ground, watching the events unfold with suspicion, but he did nothing to interfere.

OOC: Well... ATM there's no one to fight. Do I drop out of combat rounds?

Spoiler: Rolls

dc15 WIS (insight) Check:
Orog2: 1D20 = [5] = 5
Orc2: 1D20 = [15] = 15

 

[JustinCase]

"That was easy," Duvrael says drily, strolling into the forge chamber. Despite knowing Doc propably saved him from something nasty, the yuan ti is still cranky about not discovering a lot about the occult markings before. He makes a mental note to ask that ring from the gunslinging figure after things have settled down.

"Surround the area the giant was in, weapons ready," the wizard suggests.

"You, son of Gruumsh," Duvrael addresses the orc still standing his ground, "Get that blade back in the fire or it will be ruined."

OOC: Convincing the orc to move, taking the blade the giant was working on back in the forge fire. (Or if there was no blade being hammered on the anvil, convince the orc to take something out of the forge and onto the anvil.) Either way, the supposed fear of the giant may aid in this Deception roll, so I'll go ahead and roll with Advantage. Take the first roll if there's no Advantage. Deception roll against the orc: 1D20 = [18] = 18 Advantage: 1D20 = [20] = 20 Still keeping the concentration on the invisible starspawn. Duvrael AC12(15) HP 56/56 THP 13/13 HD 9/9 PP15* SSdc17 2/4 2/3 3/3 2/3 0/1

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The orc understood Duvrael, but did not see it as something that was his job (he was no blacksmith), so he interpreted it as something that he should force the dwarves to do. He grabbed a dwarf and shook him, saying, "Get da BLADE inna fire afore it's rooned, DUMMY!"

The dwarf moved to do what has he was told, properly and expertly. By this time, the Orogs and orc in the north had closed the double doors to the torture chamber, quieting the uncomfortable noises from within.

"What should we do now?" asked Donnell quietly to the Colonel.