Re: Adventure #5 - March of the Frost Giants

Malazek Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:30 am

Elodie wrote:Elodie will follow the human tracks that look like they are following the giant tracks.
Survival (tracking): 27, 37

At points, the human tracks and giant tracks separate (mostly when the giants went over a hill, but the humans were forced to go around), but they always merge again when the trackers relocated the trail . Following that same trail, the wolf-friend winds through the hills for another half hour or so ... until she crests one last hill, and sees the giants far beneath her.

So. Many. Giants.

From the summit of the hill, Elodie sees the giants camped at the bottom of the hill ... as well as a massive complex of ancient ruins. The giants seemed to be camped among the ruins, using the ancient stone (as well as some small trees and large furs) as part of their makeshift structures. She also spots two large caves at the back of the encampment and watches as a handful of giants meander in and out of the caves. Because she can't peer into the caverns, she can't get an accurate count of the giants' forces ... but there are hundreds, at least.

Most of them appear to be ogres and hill giants, but there are plenty of frost giants, as well. She also counts at least a dozen a stone giants. Moving among the "smaller" giants, she also sees a much bigger giant, with milky white skin (very much like the two she saw running from the Grey Bloods). She has no way to tell if any of these giants are Thyra or Jarigor, but according to the Chancellor, they shouldn't be too far from here. (The Chancellor made it sounds like Thyra was leading this camp and that Jarigor would be nearby).

Fortunately, the giants don't seem to be paying any attention to the wolf on the hill.

Glitz Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:36 am

Once she has discovered the giant giant encampment, Elodie will return to her party and share the location, and information about the number of giants that she saw, the set-up of the camp, and the one giant with white skin. "So according to the chancellor, we are supposed to wait until they go the troops that we passed on the way here, and then attempt to find Jarigor or Thyra? The only chance we have of that being successful is if all of the giants leave their leaders behind...there were hundreds of giants, and we do not have walls to hide behind."

Malazek Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:49 am

Elodie ... wrote:Once she has discovered the giant giant encampment, Elodie will return to her party and share the location, and information about the number of giants that she saw, the set-up of the camp, and the one giant with white skin. "So according to the chancellor, we are supposed to wait until they go the troops that we passed on the way here, and then attempt to find Jarigor or Thyra? The only chance we have of that being successful is if all of the giants leave their leaders behind...there were hundreds of giants, and we do not have walls to hide behind."

Before she makes it back ...

Elodie almost makes it back to where the others are waiting for her, when she hears a SCREEEEECH in the air behind her! Looking back, she sees a thin column of of colored smoke hanging in the air, and a small stick-like object falling beside it. She realizes immediately that the signal arrow has been fired!!

Back at the others ...

Talmut, Jeremiah, Gumphrey, Lindy, Flint and Glory are standing by the horses, waiting for Elodie to return. She has been gone over an hour. Then, suddenly, you hear a SCREEEEECH in the distance! Looking toward the sounds, you see a thin column of of colored smoke hanging in the air! The signal arrow! It's been fired! The giants will be on the move! Where is Elodie?!

Glitz Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:56 am

Elodie will sprint the remaining distance back to the group.

Alpha Omega Sun Jun 08, 2014 9:06 am

Upon seeing the signal arrow Jeremiah will begin to quickly follow the same tracks Elodie did. "Umm.. Looks like we need to get moving!"

Tracking 27 - 10 + 19 = 36

OOC: Invoking Swift Tracker which lowers the track roll by -10 instead of -20 for tracking while double move.

Malazek Sun Jun 08, 2014 9:15 am

Elodie wrote:Elodie will sprint the remaining distance back to the group.

Jeremiah wrote:Upon seeing the signal arrow Jeremiah will begin to quickly follow the same tracks Elodie did.

Elodie runs swiftly on all fours. Meanwhile, the rest of the group rides after Jeremiah, as he traces a path toward Elodie. A few minutes later, they are reunited.

Swifthand Sun Jun 08, 2014 9:27 am

"Elodie, were you able to find Jarigor?"

Glitz Sun Jun 08, 2014 11:34 am

"Possibly, and about a thousand of his closest friends. We're in for a nasty fight if that's what we're going up against."

Alpha Omega Sun Jun 08, 2014 12:42 pm

"Hmm... Well we are not fighting all of them. The troops will be drawing out the riffraff so we can sneak farther in to find Jarigor. Now is not the time to fret, lets just stick to the plan."

Using the information Elodie has given Jeremiah, he would like to head towards the hill she was on to take a look at the camp himself. Maybe Jarigor is in one of the back caves...

Stealth: +15

Glitz Sun Jun 08, 2014 2:47 pm

Despite Jeremiah's suggestion to not fret, Elodie grumbles quietly to herself--just loud enough for anyone paying attention to catch the words, "Not our plan, and it's a bad plan, anyway..."

However, she quietly follows Jeremiah, hoping to see a mostly-empty encampment.

Stealth: +18

Malazek Sun Jun 08, 2014 3:43 pm

The heroes retrace Elodie's path from earlier. Along the way, they hear a cacophony of boot-stomps and voices; obviously the sound of the giant "herd" chasing the scouts toward the main battlefield. Though they ride on, the sound grows only louder until it becomes clear they are in danger of being spotted.

Leading the horses to a more wooded hilltop, they are able to find both cover and a decent vantage point. From here, they watch as the last vestiges of the giant's rearguard makes its way through the hills and toward the ambush that the human forces have laid. It takes a few minutes, but eventually the last stragglers disappear from view.

From your perch, you can see that the fields here are littered with dead scouts; nobody said this wouldn't be dangerous.

Once "the coast is clear," the heroes ride their horses down hillside and resume their heading. A little while later, they return to the hill where Elodie was when she spotted the giants. Ordering the assistants to stay out of sight (with Talmut), Elodie leads Jeremiah and Gumphrey to the apex, where they too see the giants, below.

It looks like the Chancellor's plan worked, to a degree, but perhaps not as well as he had hoped. From their hiding place, the heroes see a massive complex of ancient ruins stretching out before two wide-mouthed caves. Enormous makeshift shelters have been constructed among the ruins, evidence that a massive army was camped here, recently. Unlike before, there are not hundreds of giants present; there are merely dozens.

Of those that are present, most appear to be hill giants, but two well-armored frost giants guard the cave entrances. Also, the white giant-among-giants that Elodie spotted earlier is still here, as well, wandering around the ruins and barking orders to the smaller giants. Jeremiah recognizes the white monstrosity as a female "cloud" giant. Cloud giants are known to possess magical powers, but it's rare for them to get mixed-up with lesser giants.

Furthermore, he did not expect to see a cloud giant, here. Everything he's heard about Thyra suggests that she's a frost giant, while Jarigor is known to be male. The fact that another giant of this size and power is involved does not bode well for the human forces.

Alpha Omega Mon Jun 09, 2014 5:15 pm

Jeremiah will head back to the rest of the group to inform them of the current situation, so a plan can be devised.

"If we can pull this off we'll go down in the books as the greatest giant slayers there ever were."

Alpha Omega Tue Jun 10, 2014 7:17 am

After Jeremiah details the current situation to the group...

"Any ideas? I wonder if there is alternate entrances to the caves, or if there is a way we can create a diversion to draw the rest of these giants away."

Glitz Tue Jun 10, 2014 1:23 pm

OOC: sorry for the delay, I have been traveling and under the weather--bad combo!

"If there's not another entrance to the caves, maybe we could seal the entrance with a rockslide or something, and set fire to the giants inside...we could possibly lure some of the giants outside of the caves away with some summoned animals, and maybe lead them into a trap?"

Malazek Tue Jun 10, 2014 4:19 pm

Hearing the suggestions put forth by his companions, Gumphrey adds his own thoughts on the matter. "I like both of those ideas. Perhaps, we can put both to use."

"I don't see any unusual stonework, like hidden doors or anything (I realize we're still a good ways off, but the mountain-side looks completely natural to me) ... from here, anyway. So, if there's another entrance, do you think it would be east or west of us, now? Or up, maybe? We could try scaling these cliffs to see if there's a way in, up there." He says, pointing to the high cliffs that loom over you.

"Even if we find another way in, though, I do like the idea of luring some of them out with magically summoned creatures ... but you'll have to summon them from far enough away that the giants don't here all that chanting you have to do. How long can such creatures hang around, before there poof away back to where they came from?"

Swifthand Tue Jun 10, 2014 6:16 pm

"Typically about a minute." Says Talmut, answering Gum's question before continuing. "Our mission is to eliminate Jarigor, and we believe he waits within the caves, correct? I could attempt to charm a giant who may then bring his 'prisoners' before the giant chieftain. I could also summon monsters to aid in any confusion and draw giants away. However, I think it best we scout for an another passage into the caves first. If all three of you search, and I help by sending an air elemental or asking an earth elemental, perhaps we can find the answer to this question quickly? Elodie, can you ask some of the animals who live around here if another cave entrance exists?" The Conjuror pauses for a moment, and then he shakes his head, an idea obviously forming in his mind.

"Elodie - could you aid me in a summoning? I believe, together, we could summon the spirit of the mountain, or at least, one of it's servitors. It would know where Jarigor is, and how to get to him, if such a way exists..."

Malazek Tue Jun 10, 2014 7:21 pm

Talmut wrote:"Elodie - could you aid me in a summoning? I believe, together, we could summon the spirit of the mountain, or at least, one of it's servitors. It would know where Jarigor is, and how to get to him, if such a way exists..."

OOC: GM Fiat: Talmut will need a caster level check to summon a specific elemental. Without knowing the elemental in advance, there will be a penalty to the roll ... but a Knowledge (Umbrafall) or Knowledge (Geography) could be used to identify the elemental and negate that penalty. If Talmut casts the spell, Elodie could assist him; if Elodie casts it, Talmut could assist her. Either way, the person assisting could use either Knowledge (Nature) or Spellcraft to give the caster a +2 bonus to the roll (+4 if they have 10 ranks or if they roll a Natch-20). The base check is d20 + caster level + relevant attribute mod.

OOC: Gumphrey's Knowledge (Umbrafall) roll = 27 vs. DC 20

Hearing the discussion, Gumphrey laughs. "The spirit of the mountain? Most people in these parts think that story is merely a folktale, but some of the old timers insist the the spirit was real, but that he was chased off by the serpent who gave this mountain its name. Still, if you think it will work ... his name was ... it was ... um ... oh yeah ... it was Mynothkalns! Or, something like that. Um ... Minyth Calns? Midothkones? Yeah, that's it! Mynothkalns! Kind of a minor deity, some say, Lord of the Mountain."

Swifthand Tue Jun 10, 2014 7:28 pm

"Mynothkalns...yes. Let us speak to the Lord of the Mountain. I would be happy to perform the conjuring."

Talmut looks excited to begin the casting, with Elodie's aid.

If you are in agreement, Glitz, then I cast Summon Monster 5.

Glitz Tue Jun 10, 2014 8:22 pm

"Let's do this, Talmut!" Elodie is eager to speak to this spirit--the last time she spoke with a powerful natural creature, she got a powerful trinket.

Knowledge (Nature) to aid: +12

Malazek Tue Jun 10, 2014 9:42 pm

- Elodie's Nature Roll = 23 (Success)
- Talmut's Casting Roll = 37 (Success)

OOC: Swift, I know you like to add a lot of flavor to your conjurations, so I'll wait until you've described the casting before I explain what happens next.

Swifthand Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:16 pm

The Conjurer kneels for a moment, immersing his hands in the rocky and peaty soil. One might notice that the jagged rocks have drawn blood in spots on Talmut's thin, boney hands, however, that was his intention all along. Then, the wizard begins his summoning, his voice the sound of broken stone on stone. Speaking in Terran.

"Mynothkalns, Lord of the Mountain, I am Talmut Xispur, Son of the 4th House of Nu'ul, and ally to the Powers of Earth. This is my friend, the Lady Elodie, protector of all Nature. We entreat you, mighty and stoic Lord, for we have great need of your aid! PLEASE, ANSWER OUR SUMMONS!"

With that final shout, Talmut jams the butt-end of his newly aquired staff into the small depression in the earth made by his hands. At that, the earth seems to shudder in response for a moment...perhaps the opening in a response that was sought, or a stinging denial from the Mountain itself?

Malazek Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:18 pm

A deep rumbling sound follows the shuttering of the hillside. Then, suddenly, a thousand rocks, from every direction, roll toward the hilltop (even rolling uphill to get there) and into the depression at the center of the ritual. As the rocks tumble into the little pit, they turn momentarily molten and fuse together. All of this occurs within the space of a few seconds, but then a form rises up before you ... and form that vaguely resembles a manlike entity, but can only really be described as a collection of rock and stone ... until two eyes emerge where a face should be; eyes that look like molten rubies.

Then, a sound like avalanche emerges from the form. Those who speak Terran can understand it, but to those who don't it sounds only like rocks crashing together.

"WHO DARES TO CONJURE A SERVANT OF MYNOTHKALNS?! WHO DARES DISTURB THE LORD OF THE MOUNTAIN?! TELL ME, SO I MIGHT DO YOUR WRETCHED BIDDING!"

Alpha Omega Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:59 pm

As soon as the hillside begins to shake Jeremiah will head back to the crest of the hill and see if the camp of giants heard the rumbling.

Stealth +19
Perception +24

Swifthand Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:25 pm

"I say again, I am Talmut Xispur! My companions and I give respect, and only seek knowledge from you and your master. We seek the giant Jarigor, spoiler of the Mountain! He hides within mighty Mynothkalns, sending his kin out to do great harm. We seek to expel him - from the Mountain, and from our land! Where does he hide, and is there a path to him, one that is unknown to the giants? Know that I speak truth, for the House of Nu'ul is known for it's honest dealings throughout the Planes!"

Malazek Wed Jun 11, 2014 9:23 pm

Jeremiah wrote:As soon as the hillside begins to shake Jeremiah will head back to the crest of the hill and see if the camp of giants heard the rumbling.

For the most part, the camp looks unchanged, as if nothing is amiss ... but a few (especially those closer to this side of the camp) seem to be on alert, as if they heard something but they weren't quite sure what it was.

Talmut wrote:"I say again, I am Talmut Xispur! My companions and I give respect, and only seek knowledge from you and your master. We seek the giant Jarigor, spoiler of the Mountain! He hides within mighty Mynothkalns, sending his kin out to do great harm. We seek to expel him - from the Mountain, and from our land! Where does he hide, and is there a path to him, one that is unknown to the giants? Know that I speak truth, for the House of Nu'ul is known for it's honest dealings throughout the Planes!"

"INDEED, my master desires eviction of the trespassers! Release me, so that I might seek your answer. If the Lord of the Mountain wishes to aid your quest, he will send another to lead you there!"

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