At the Steading of the Hill Giant Chief

[Magnus]

As they turn the corner, the two young, unarmed giants are surprised to find the party waiting for them down the hall. The party uses their advantage to close the distance and then seizes the initiative to inflict a devastating series of attacks.

Giantbane once again lives up to its name as Gaerys's smooth overhead stroke cleaves one giant's head in twain. The giant is dead before its knees hit the floor.

Luna, for his part, lands a thumping blow to the other giant's ribcage with his mace. Ethan joins the fray with a skillful slice behind the knee of that giant, which causes the giant's head to drop. Seizing the opportunity, the veteran warrior finishes the job with a slice across the throat.

[i play loose critical hit rules on 20s and critical fumbles on 1s.]

[I will post a map soon. Likely tomorrow night.]

[Magnus]

The party is left to decide whether to pursue the left or the right fork of the hallway. And what, if anything, to do with the bodies of the two young giants.

[PS - there are tougher fights ahead, I promise ]

[Zhym]

Gaerys will take a quick moment to check traffic patterns. Is either fork more heavily traveled than the other? If so, he prefers the fork less traveled. If not, he would take the right fork and check the door therein.

As for the dead giants, Gaerys figures that the time spent hiding or arranging them would be better spent making sure the party is somewhere else if the bodies (and blood) are discovered.

[Magnus]

Neither fork is notably more well-traveled.

Gaerys scouts ahead following the right fork, which terminates at a 90' bend to the north and another giant-sized door to the south.

Looking up the bend to the north, the ranger can see, thanks to a few smoking torches, a door that opens to the west 20' ahead, another door that opens to the west 40' ahead, and the hallway terminating at another door opening to the north about 80' ahead.

[drpete]

Ethan Blacktyde, Stark Bannerman

Shall we take the doors one by one?

Ethan will jog up the other fork to see what is down that way before they decide.

[Zhym]

Gaerys hopes that Ethan thinks to turn off his Sword of Many Candlepowers before he goes off exploring.

[drpete]

Good plan. Ethan turns off his fiery sword, since the hall is lit up.

[Magnus]

Ethan sees that the left hallway seemingly terminates at a dead end about 40' ahead. There is a door on the right (east) side about 20' into the hallway.

[Which of the 5 doors will the party open first?]

[jdluna]

Luna pulls some sticks from his pack and studies them. His eyes begin to roll back as he concentrates. (Cast Augury)

[Oddfellow]

Kjelti Skallgrím
Kjelti observes the druid quietly as he casts his curious spell over the sticks. She awaits the results of the incantation before casting her opinion, which currently leans towards the passageway and door that Ethan scouted. Her eyes flit over the corpses strewn about the room, her hand flexing unconsciously as she anticipates the carnage yet to come.

When the party makes it's choice, she will dutifully resume her place in the front ranks, claymore and shield at the ready.

[Magnus]

Date: Autumn, 432 ca., Campaign Day 1
Time: 20:25
Weather: 42 degrees, cloudy, dark
Location: STEADING OF THE HILL GIANT CHIEF - Hallway
Nearest Safe house: the First of the First Men, 5.5 miles southeast

Magic in Effect:
Antheris:
- Call Lightning (expires in 6 turns)
- Protection from Fire (cast on treant)

Vorsyin:
Shield (expires in 8 minutes)

Luna:
Augury
*************************************************************

The party takes some time to investigate the various options available to them. While Blacktide and Gaerys use their physical senses to take stock of their surroundings, Luna calls out to a higher power.

The high priest falls into a light trance, chants a soft prayer, and casts his sticks onto the dungeon floor. Meditating on the party's plan to methodically explore rooms one by one and gather information, the cleric divines that this will result in WEAL for the party's mission.

g1firstlvl2.jpg (595.82 KiB) Viewed 892 times

[drpete]

Ethan Blacktyde, Stark Bannerman

Satisfied, Ethan nods, and makes a decision. "We'll go around the circle. Good job, all."

Ethan arranges the group back into order quickly, and they start with the door on the western path.

if it's cool, I'll just make some "calls" occasionally to pick choices rather than discuss every one.

[Zhym]

Gaerys agrees. That first door might also lead to a less conspicuous place to leave the giant bodies.

[Oddfellow]

Kjelti Skallgrím
Upon arriving at the door Kjelti will throw it open, ready for a fight.

[Magnus]

Kjelti thrusts open the door to find a long (70' or so) and relatively narrow (40') dormitory-like room containing several rows of bunks several feet high. Ethan and Gaerys quickly follow, with Luna and the mage close behind.

Ten young giants are congregated in the center of the room. Dropping their dice games, wrestling, and general tomfoolerly, they look at the party with a look of rage. Within a split second, these young'uns charge the party with a degree of foolhardiness that only youth can bring. Employing a mix of crude axes and spears, The charge comes a first wave of four and two waves of three.

[No surprise; Declare Actions -- Remember that a charge is double damages, but a weapon set against a charge also does double damage. I also play that pole arms, spears, missile weapons, etc. can strike over a first rank.]

[Oddfellow]

Kjelti Skallgrím
The shield-maiden shifts her position as necessary to allow others into the front rank, if they desire. She then plants her feet and raises her shield, preparing to turn the rushing giants' tide with a wall of steel.

I assume that Antheris' polar bear will want to form up in the front rank with the fighters, and maybe Gaerys does as well...? If so, I will make room.
I will target the closest giant when it reaches me with both attacks.
1st attack: [1d20] = 14, [2d8+6] = 3+6 = 9
2nd attack: [1d20] = 1, [2d8+6] = 12+6 = 18

So the first attack would hit a monster of -5 AC or worse, and the second was a fumble! Oh boy, great start to the combat...

[Computer +1]

How many of the giants will a sleep spell nail?

[NJWilliam]

Antheris, Druid

Antheris gives Blue the polar bear the go ahead to join melee with the fighters. The druid remains in the rear surveying the situation for the strategic use of a spell.

ooc: Should I roll attacks for polar bear or will you?

[Zhym]

Gaerys will indeed join the front rank and attack the nearest giant not already engaged by someone else.

Giantbane (vs. true giant): [1d20+3] = 13+3 = 16 Damage: [1d12x2] = 11x2 = 22+10

[Zhym]

If sleep is cast into melee, will it only target enemies, or will it catch some of us too?