Take Two...

[Zhym]

Gaerys doesn't know what to make of the glow or the grunts and screams. In this foul place, the latter might just come from a fun room! But the metal-on-metal pounding could be from metalwork in the armory. The ranger looks at his companions and silently jerks his head to the southwest with a questioning expression.

He also covers his light just long enough to see whether the area to the southwest has light of its own. If so, he will keep his light covered to better avoid announcing the party's approach.

Do any of the grunts and screams sound human? If so, that would change Gaerys's priorities.

[Magnus]

Some do sound human

[Zhym]

In that case, Gaerys silently indicates that he would go north. Giantbane, if it lies to the southwest, can wait.

[drpete]

Ethan ponders the different passageways, then nods when Gaerys suggests going north with a small shrug.

[saalaria]

Hollis too nods then moves to follow the ranger.

[Computer +1]

Vorsyin too follows the rangers lead.

[Magnus]

Gaerys and Ethan lead the way north. As they turn the corner, they get a slightly better look at the dim light coming from the chamber straight west...it seems to be a mist or fog of some kind, which glows with an weird green light.

The party heads 10' or so north up the hallway. The air grows stuffy and noisome as the screams grow louder. A human cry of fear momentarily drowns out gibbering and low grunts. A few steps farther, and the party is taken aback as their foes suddenly come into view.

Four marsh giants, all partially clad in armor, and two armed with fearsome steel axes and harpoons, and the two others bearing "man catcher" pole arms, stand guard in front of three doors. These marsh giants are somehow more athletic and intelligent than the obese, moping beasts than the party has slaughtered already...almost like the difference between a huge bullfrog and a crocodile.

marshgiant.jpg (56.1 KiB) Viewed 996 times

Two doors are closed, but one is open. The party can see partially into the chamber beyond, which is lit by dim firelight of some kind (the party cannot see the source). Another marsh giant equipped similarly to the guards stands beyond, watching over the shoulder of yet another marsh giant clad in a purple robe with an amulet around its neck, and crooked staff in its hands.

The marsh giant guards raise their weapons, while the two in the chamber stop (whatever the Hells) they are doing to move to the battle with the party. But the party is ready!

Declare Actions!

fightintheprison.jpg (100.57 KiB) Viewed 996 times

W=Marsh Giant
Mg= Marsh Giant
Mgc = Marsh Giant Cleric

[drpete]

Ethan steps into the room to attack the Marsh Giant directly ahead of them and opening a path for the casters "Target the priest!"

To Hit giant with Frostfell (ThAC0 11) [1d20+6] = 20+6 = 26 damage [1d12+6] = 8+6 = 14

Boo yeah! Frozen!

To Hit giant with Frostfell (ThAC0 11) [1d20+6] = 14+6 = 20 damage [1d12+6] = 9+6 = 15

[Zhym]

Gaerys attacks the marsh giant guarding the southeast door. If possible, Gaerys attacks from the south tunnel so he can protect the casters.

Skullsplitter v. Evil Humanoid/Giant Type (THAC0 12): Hit: [1d20+3] = 12+3 = 15, Dmg: [1d10+12] = 9+12 = 21 (S/M) [2d6+12] = 4+12 = 16 (L)

[Computer +1]

Vorsyin recognizes the importance of taking out the magic user out of the enemy party.
He immediately raises the wand and unleashes a bolt of Lightning at the giant in the purple robe.

[Magnus]

Round 1

The party beats the giants to the mark...taking initiative.

Ethan leads the way, springing forward to plunge Frostfell deep into the heart of the giant manning the center of the room. The knight feels an icy breath on his face - one that would be the marsh giant's last. Ethan looks up to see the face of his opponent frozen in a last gasp at life. A solid block of marsh giant slides off his blade and onto the floor. Ethan takes no time to admire his handiwork, swinging at the nearest marsh giant, who is guarding the north east door. This slash was not quite as devastating, but it does open up a deep cut across the marsh giant's thighs.

That giant returns the favor with a wild swing with its halberd. Ethan's leg burns as the gnarled, filthy blade cuts across his thigh.

Ethan -13 damage

Gaerys then follows with an attack on the giant guarding the southeast door. Skullsplitter takes a chunk off of the marsh giant's armor, lacerating its ribcage in the process. Marcus steps behind Gaerys with a heavy thrust into the marshen's flesh. And then Hollis* smashes his mace against the opening in the armor, breaking ribs. Lorath smartly brings the giant down with a hail of magic missiles!

Vorsyin steps bravely steps up behind Lord Blacktyde and unleashes a bold of lightning at the robed marsh giant, which happens to first pass through the giant guarding the northern door. (Gaerys can't help but grimace as he sees, out of the corner of his eye, the mage run past him.) Regardless, as the attack is brutally effective -- each giant takes the full force of its blast, and an obvious spell being cast by the robed giant is ruined. They remain standing, but seem about half weakened.

That giant to the north charges forward and tries to pin Ethan in a man-catcher. The knight spins, and his new armor seems to accelerate his dodge. The two points of the menacing polearm scrape against the dungeon wall.

The giant in the northern room had launched itself forward at the first sight of the party. It scarcely believes its luck when it finds the squishy (though mighty) Vorsyin standing in front of him. The giant thrusts its mancatcher downward, its points catching into Vorsyin's arm and hip. The mage struggles to free himself...

Vorsyin - 8 damage. Roll lower than your strength score on a 1d20 to evade the weapon...and that is your action next round.

The party has already cut deep into this giant force...with another effective round, they could ... perhaps ... clear this corner of the dungeon.

Declare Actions!!

*Sorry Sam. Had a chance to advance the round and map it...which I may not have tomorrow. Blame the timezone!

Map:

fightintheprison.jpg (103.58 KiB) Viewed 978 times

Yellow line = lightning bolt
Black line = movement
Red line = dead giant

[Zhym]

Gaerys curses under his breath as he finds himself caught in the second rank of the battle—behind the spellslinger, no less! "Take three steps to your left, please!" he tells Marcus. He hopes to do the same himself, making room for Lorath to move into a position where he can snipe the spellcasting giant. Gaerys then brings Skullsplitter down on the giant attacking Vorsyin.

Skullsplitter v. Evil Humanoid/Giant Type (THAC0 12): Hit: [1d20+3] = 11+3 = 14, Dmg: [1d10+12] = 6+12 = 18 (S/M) [2d6+12] = 6+12 = 18 (L)
Skullsplitter v. Evil Humanoid/Giant Type (THAC0 12): Hit: [1d20+3] = 15+3 = 18, Dmg: [1d10+12] = 6+12 = 18 (S/M) [2d6+12] = 5+12 = 17 (L)

[saalaria]

No worries - I had a bit of an accident so have been laid low all weekend. Anyway back to the action:

Hollis will try to advance to melee with the next foe he can reach:

mace Attack [1d20+5] = 13+5 = 18 Damage S [1d6+9] = 2+9 = 11 L [1d6+8] = 2+8 = 10

[Computer +1]

Vorsyin's escape roll:
[1d20] = 13
Have a 14 strength - holy crap that was close!

MIGHTY CLOSE!!

[drpete]

Flanked by enemies, Ethan tries to work quickly, finishing off the first and turning to face the other.

To Hit giant with Frostfell (ThAC0 11) [1d20+6] = 17+6 = 23 damage [1d12+6] = 12+6 = 18

To Hit giant with Frostfell (ThAC0 11) [1d20+6] = 17+6 = 23 damage [1d12+6] = 7+6 = 13

[Magnus]

Round 2

Fate turns a bit on the party as the giants seize a narrow initiative...and what a turn it is.

The giant facing Ethan to the east does not like its odds...it quickly turns and opens the door behind it. Four ghasts storm out! Two reach Ethan and slash and bite at him wildly. Only one claw connects...and it is enough to paralyze Ethan! Ethan feels his muscles tighten just as he brings Frostfell to bear on the two ghasts...bringing down the pair of ghasts just as he falls to the ground.

Ethan - 3 damage + paralysis! Gave him the attacks because monsters only won int by 1 seg.

The giant on Ethan's flank swings heavily at the knight. Ethan feels the halberd crush his shoulder blade just as he falls to the floor, unable to even flinch as the blow lands. Marcus steps up and thrusts his spear viciously into that giant. It roars with pain, but more importantly, turns its attention away from the fallen Ethan...

Ethan - 9 damage

The giant holding Vorsyin squeezes down on the polearm, drawing further blood from the mage. The mage, however, remains calm and flexes his might, squeezing free of the curving prongs of the mancatcher. The mage manages to roll to relative safety behind the advancing Hollis and Gaerys, who again combine to badly wound that giant with a heavy pair of blows from axe and mace.

Vorsyin - 6 damage, but freed!

The robed marsh giant begins croaking out a foul incantation as it steps forward. Another marsh giant steps from the hidden corner of that room to shield the robed priest(?) from missile fire.

Lorath, seeing no clear line of sight, instead directs his magic missiles instead to finish the giant weakened by Hollis and Gaerys. It dies with a low gulp and a thud.

The robed marsh giant's incantation complete, the party realizes that the beast was unleashing a spell to target the party's spellcasters. The three of them feel their muscles tense, as if being held under some irresistible compulsion...

Hollis, Vorsyin and Lorath -- roll a save vs. Spells!!!

A lucky shot from a ghast and a horrible save roll have left the party vulnerable, and now a pending spell could leave them devastated. A bit of luck and a couple smart moves, however, would leave the party victorious.

Hope you're well, Sam!

map:

prisonfight2.jpg (110.95 KiB) Viewed 933 times

[saalaria]

Hollis shrugs off the spell's effects:

Saving Throw [1d20] = 19

and steps up to turn the ghasts - raising his holy symbol aloft and calling on aid from the gods

"Begone foul beasts!"

[Zhym]

Gaerys looks for another skull to split. If Vorsyin avoids the effects of the holding spell, the ranger steps to the side to protect Ethan and give Vorsyin a clear shot for another lightning bolt. If Vorsyin is held, Gaerys remains where he is to protect the caster.

Skullsplitter v. Evil Humanoid/Giant Type (THAC0 12): Hit: [1d20+3] = 14+3 = 17, Dmg: [1d10+12] = 1+12 = 13 (S/M) [2d6+12] = 6+12 = 18 (L)

[Computer +1]

[1d20] = 2

On saves you want to roll high or low?

[Magnus]

Round 3

One side sensing victory, the other side desperate to fend off defeat, act simultaneously but somewhat hesitantly (round 5).

The ill humors of Lord Dagon wash over the party's casters. Vorsyin freezes in place, while Hollis and Lorath (rolled an 18!) shrug off the effects of the spell.

Lorath then opens the party's attack with a few quick words and the dropping of a thin strand of spider silk on the ground.

In a blink of an eye, the northern doorway and area surrounding it becomes engulfed in a thick mass of sticky strands. The robed marsh giant, who had also begun casting, is completely engulfed*, while the giant standing right in front of it is also caught in the sticky strands. The powerful giants will obviously break free shortly, but the spellsword has certainly bought the party a minute or three to concentrate on the foes right in front of them...and spoiled any efforts that the priest might make to cast foul magics on the party.

*Natural 1!!!

Hollis steps forward to turn away the foul ghasts. The loping undead fall upon Marcus, who is engaged with the marsh giant to his left, just as Hollis does so. The brave young warrior endures a two claws and a bite just before the ghasts begin to turn away. Unfortunately, the young warrior manages only a feeble thrust of his spear at the standing giant, before succumbing to the paralyzing effects of the wounds as he is bashed by the giant he was fighting.

Marcus - 17 damage. Paralyzed!!! Failed all three saves...

The marsh giant behind the ghasts moves forward and attacks Hollis. The cleric winces in pain as the heavy halberd comes crashing down on him.

Hollis 11 damage!!!

Gaerys holds his ground to protect the paralyzed mage, then again hefts Skullsplitter against the marsh giant who had hit Marcus. The great axe splits the spine of the marsh giant, who falls with a thud.

Three party members are left to dispatch three giants, one of whom is weakened, and two of whom are trapped helplessly in a web...for the moment.

Declare Actions!!!

Vorsyin: 38/52 [h]
Gaerys: 69/69
Hollis: 41/52
Lorath: 40/40
Ethan: 46/71 [p]
Marcus: 31/48 [p]