(IC) Against the Giants PBP Group 2

[Kobold Stew]

THe Colonel knows he is not stealthy on the ground. He holds his breath (that's an easy trick for the genasi), and makes his approach as silently as he can. His armour is enchanted not to make noise, but it doesn't mean he is silent by any means. Still, he advances, and is ready to let loose if he is spotted, aiming first at the catapults.

OOC: Move+Stealth: 1d20+0=8. Ugh. 18 if benefiting from Pass without Trace.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Kahru's spell caused the environment to help the group to move silently and leave no trace of their passage. Unfortunately, it did not provide cover, and there was a thousand feet of open space between their hiding spot behind a rocky tor at the top of a nearby hill, and the north-east corner of the steading.

Even if they were to wait for the patrolling giants to both be on the far side at the same time, there was still three ogres who would spot them coming down the hill.

OOC: Here, let me make it easier on you. Here's a map in 30 ft. grid.

Spoiler: Map

 

[Maxperson]

OOC: Do we have someone who can ditch these guys and stealthily meet back up with us? If so, he can lead the big lugs away while we sneak in. Perhaps wild shape would work.

 

[Steve Gorak]

OOC: there’s a gambit that “may” work. Gimlak casts summon aberration - star spawn. Duvrael casts invisibility on it. Instructions are to stand next to the ogres and giants without attacking and we wait till their minds melt.

 

[Tonguez]

OOC: heh, I was just going to propose starting a bonfire on the roof to hopefully get the ogres attention. But brain melting Starspawn has that beat by a mile

 

[Steve Gorak]

OOC: Hey @JustinCase, are you on board for Duvrael to cast invisibility on Gimlack’s summoned aberration - star spawn?

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Gimlak concentrated and a vortex appeared; a tear in the fabric of reality that brought forth a creature unnatural to the world. Its face tentacles writhed as it bowed before him and unspeakable words echoed in the minds of those present, threatening to break through their mental barriers and expose their fears, doubts, and the madness hidden deep within.

Duvrael nodded - anything to get the creature away from himself. Madness was never far from the surface of a yuan-ti, and he could feel himself longing to embrace it. He turned the thing invisible, and it lumbered off down the hill. Although no one could see it go, there was a palpable sense that the natural world was returning to the tor.

Peering over the rocky blind, the group watched as an ogre first began to throw his arms up in dismay and confusion, and then abandoned his post and ran southward. Next, the ogre at the north gate clutched his head, then began to pound on the gate. A young ogre opened the gate and the ogre fled inside.

By this time, one of the two walking hill giants rounded the corner and watched the ogre for a moment. Then, he too was overtaken with psychic pain. He took off his helmet, threw it at the ground, and then ran backwards on his route until he was out of sight, somewhere around the base of the watchtower.

It had all taken about fifteen minutes, but for the moment, there was no one to see them run down the hill.

OOC: @JustinCase has been absent for a bit, but I'm sure he'd be on board with this plan. I'm assuming everyone goes now. It's about a two-minute run when you're not trying to be stealthy. Here's your options as I see it: 1) Same approach as before: Go up the nearest chimney on the left of the east gate and hide on the roof for a moment. 2) North gate is currently open. You could go right for it, but there's occupants (at least the brain-fried ogre, a youth, and some returned dire wolves, maybe others).

 

[Steve Gorak]

OOC: boy that was fast! ;-) a couple of things, before starting, I would have lobbied @JustinCase to cast Rary’s telepathic bond as a ritual on the party + summoned aberration so Gimlak could communicate with it. If this is a no go, Gimlak would have instructed the aberration to come back to the party so we can use it with the remaining spell duration. Assuming that the invisible star spawn is still with the group, Gimlak is fine going through the gate but he’s also ok going through a chimney

 

[FitzTheRuke]

OOC: Sure. Order of operations: 1) Gimlak summons Star Spawn (duration 1 hour); 2) Duvrael performs 10-minute ritual Rary's Telepathing Bond (duration 1 hour); 3) Duvrael casts Invisibility (duration 1 hour); 4) Star Spawn lumbers down the hill (4 min) and harasses the ogres & a giant for ~11 mins; 5) Everyone runs to catch up (2 mins). From the NE corner of the Steading, remaining time: Star Spawn 33 min. (Gimlack's concentration); RTB 43 min.; & Invisibility 43 min (Duvrael concentration, but it'll drop if the Star Spawn attacks). Previously Kahru cast Pass without Trace on everyone, but that hour would be up by now (after he did all the scouting, reporting, and everyone decided to head down, after following the above plan). Time Check: ~5:22pm, give or take.

 

[Steve Gorak]

OOC: allright folks, let’s get the party stared. Let’s send the invisible star spawn though the gate to create a diversion as we go up to enter through the chimneys, ok?