The forceful words of Oisin woke up the sole remaining wolf with his words... the sleep enchantment being unable to keep the creature from raising. The wolf looked up at Oisin, and in his canine face they saw the confusion and then alarm as the scent of his kin's blood filled the air.
The wolf's mind was a simple one, so it barely questioned the fact that Oisin could talk with it so clearly... it's response, however, after retreating a few paces and whining was a simple one "Yes. No kill, Quiet. Help, no kill. Strong you. Beware Big"
However, but a few instants after those low grunts, there was a sudden, strong crashing noise filling the night air... as well as a loud grunt and cry of pure frustration and primal rage... noises and grunts that may be words in some strange language accompanied by things breaking... all coming from the stone building by the East wall... followed by the sound of a few ponderous steps.
{{Good pups,}} Oisín smiled, {{Follow me after and I'll see ye fed and mended.}}
Oisín turned to the noise and smiled.
He drew the Javelin back into his hand banged his shield.
"Come out ye beastie and we shall have words yet, if you do speak in common tongue. If you know only your bloody giant tongue, then I'll rend the blasted thing from you myself."
He shouted as the he pounded rhythmically against his shield,
"Through staunch hearts, strong limbs and swift minds. No brute nor beast may break what our words bind. Dunallen shall see day once more."
He turned to Sanna, <<I'll lead the beast to the traps, be ready to lay ambush.>>
edited 11th Jan '15 10:43:21 PM by Fauxlosophe
Until further notice
Sanna didn't need to be told twice. She turned to Leina, signalling for the gnome to take action. "Warn the others, little one - we fight."
Next round action: Move action - towards South Gate; Standard action - Hide (Mask of the Wild). Nightfall is natural phenomena, after all.
edited 12th Jan '15 4:59:29 AM by Pyrite
Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
And then, with all the noise and cries finally their opponent was drawn away from his lair. The footsteps grew louder upon the stone of the building... and then, crouching a little to pass through the entrance there it was...
The creature before them must be eleven feet tall and weight a thousand pounds, a big, ugly and fat creature that was a mockery of humanoid form, the most brutish and primal reflection of the civilized races. It's skin was a tanned tone of light orange, covered in dirt and soot. His small eyes lay right on top of its head... the brute didn't have a forehead, really... tiny eyes, two slits for a nose and then the rest of his face was dedicated to a big mouth and jaw, filled with sharp teeth and a pair of longer ones, tusks, perhaps, sticking from out of his lips on his lower mouth. He wore nothing more than a rudimentary loincloth made out of bone stitched hides. His feet were big and fat, however his arms were the most impressive feature... for these were wide as tree trunks, packed with bulging muscles and veins, ending in a pair of strong hands with nails black with dirt, grime and rot. The creature's face and maw was currently bathed in blood and his expression was one of irritation, anger and stupidity.
However, he paused for nearly five seconds at the sight of an armored elfling banging his shield right in front of his house. There was no mistaking the creature now that they had view of it... this was an ogre. Wrath, gluttony, greed and stupidity... these creatures, bastard offspring of giants were some of the most naturally degenerate creatures roaming the lands. Selfish, cruel and as strong as they stupid. Finally, however, the creature made sense of what was happening and hesitated not in grabbing his greatclub... truly, merely and uprooted young tree shaped by the beast hitting it against things for a good long while. With big ponderous steps it walked towards Oisin, a leisure walk as it moved towards his sole, puny little elfling enemy "Groak Na Dor... Shuli, KIVA!!" the thing roared with every step.
Leina for her part decided that the creature's roar should be indication enough that the battle had begun... and thus began to sneak towards the stairs on the west side of the courtyard while the monster was distracted with poor Oisin standing momentarily alone.
edited 12th Jan '15 11:04:45 AM by daltar
He took three steps back towards the group and the traps as he readied himself, as if to greet the beast and beckon it forward.
"Come now ye auld gurrier," Oisín said with a wide smile as he ceased his banging, "And we'll see about giving ye some cold iron for afters."
He held back his Javelin over his head and laughed. He stood ready to toss it as the giant approached.
edited 12th Jan '15 3:51:32 PM by Fauxlosophe
Lissa flinched as she heard the commotion start and drew her rapier in a smooth motion, turning to address Drusus and Aldrik over her shoulder. "They've found the monster," she said quickly. "Stay low and out of sight, Aldrik. Drusus, do you need help getting to the gate? We need to join them, now."
If Drusus needs help getting to the gate, I'll assist. Otherwise, Lissa moves as close to the south gate as she can without setting off any traps or stepping within clear view of the courtyard interior.
edited 13th Jan '15 8:30:10 AM by RedSavant
It's been fun.
Until further notice
Sanna swallowed hard as she stared at the lumbering monstrosity. Knowing about a creature was far, far different from actually facing it, and the druid momentarily considered the thought of fleeing the scene. It would have been easy, too, with her swift stride and ability to fade into the night.
But for her, the hunt had not ended yet, and she preferred this target to the wolf she'd put down.
Sanna steeled herself, unslinging her bow once more, and readied a shot for when the ogre came within range - or when Oisin hurled his javelin, depending on which came first.
Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
Green food
"I can handle myself." Drusus said Gruffly to Lissa's offer as he trotted toward the gate.
"Move to the left of the gate, I'll go right. We'll jump the creature when the first trap is sprung."
Drusus moves toward the right of the gate.
edited 13th Jan '15 3:45:46 PM by SonofMelonHead
"And then the dead man of the dead did dead things to all the dead people."-Two Best Friends Play Dark Souls
[Oisin attacks with Javelin, 1d20+5 = 20 CRIT, damage 2d6+5 = 3 + 1 + 5]
[Sanna attacks with Longbow, 1d20+5 = 15+5 HIT, damage 1d8+5 = 1 + 5]
The Ogre keeps drawing closer... and even a powerful, well placed throw from Oisin's javelin fails to really phase the brute. Despite the grievousness of how deep the shaft sunk on its skin, the creature only pulls it off his body... and nearly completely ignores the arrow sinking into his skin. Grunting ferociously, for it seems like the attack made him angry, the monster grabs Oisin's javelin and then after a running start he throws the javelin back at the Paladin...
[Ogre moves 40 feet towards Oisin, attack with Javelin, 1d20 + 6 = 17 + 6, 1d6 + 6 = 6 + 6 = 12]
... The monster's vengeance is cruel indeed, for the Paladin's javelin, treacherous, flies back to it's Master, more than double as deadly as when the good half elf threw it. However, this is hardly the end of things... as seeing the damage caused, the monster roars loudly once more on his language "Rhua Ashhor! Mrigli! Othak!"
More chilling than this battlecry, however, is... that it is answered by the sound of other footsteps from far deep in the keep... behind the main building.
Until further notice
"Blight!" The elf swore as she watched the ogre play its deadly game of catch-and-return, dealing Oisin a serious blow. She hastily chanted a spell of healing, hoping that it would take some of the sting off, while her hand went to her bow and she loosed off another shot even as she continued her retreat towards the traps.
And then she heard the roars from within the keep, and she shuddered.
Bonus: Level 1 healing word on Oisin. Action: Shoot Ogre with longbow. Move: retreat towards traps.
Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
"Shite, ye fecking beggar," Oisín cursed as he yanked the Javelin from his shoulder, gripping those in this shield hand tightly.
"Me own Javelin, too. That's not bloody sporting."
He smirked as he held the Javelin aloft again and tossed it towards the Ogre.
He then made a careful retreat, gripping his shoulder. It had narrowly missed the strap of a waterskin on his shoulder; worse, it was the one with the porter.
He turned in the general direction of Sanna, <<I'm not sure what the bloody priest speaks. Hard enough to get the bugger talking in common. Feck, for that sake, I'm not sure where the bloody Gnome is.>>
Action: Toss Javelin Move: 30ft towards Gate
edited 14th Jan '15 8:08:57 AM by Fauxlosophe
Green food
Drusus pressed his back against the wall and waited. He heard Sanna yelling, their foe roaring. And not long after that, heavy footsteps, closing in rapidly.
Evidently, there had been a mis-estimation of their quarrel.
Drusus frowned. The traps had been set up for only one giant. Could they be reasonably expected to work against more?
Drusus shook his head. Complaining would be pointless; they were in this fight now. Drusus and Hagal would have to do what they could.
He grasped his holy medallion and lifted the lace over his head, knelt and placed it flat on the ground with his hand atop it. "Eternal Spring of wellness," he intoned "unending well of Spring, give fortune to those that wilt, make this time they pass through fertile."
cast bless
"And then the dead man of the dead did dead things to all the dead people."-Two Best Friends Play Dark Souls
Lissa peered out from behind the gate, hoping to spot their quarry, and readied herself. If it became clear that the creature had spotted Oisin and Sanna and was readying to attack, she had a few words in mind for it.
Ready action: Cast Vile Mockery on the ogre as it comes into range, hoping to make it angry enough to lead it into the traps.
It's been fun.
[Sanna: Bonus Action, Healing Word - 1d4 + 3 = 3 + 3 = Oisin recovers 6 hp]
[Sanna: Attack with Longbow 1d20+5 = 1 + 5 CRITICAL MISS, rolls for target... Sanna just didn't hit anything]
[Oisin: Javelin Throw with Disadvantage, 1d20+5 = 3+5, Miss]
[Drusus, casts Bless. Targets? Oisin, Sanna, Lissa? Recipients for as long as Drusus concentrates get to roll and extra d4 on attack rolls]
[Lissa, cast Vicious Mockery on Ogre when it gets in range. Ogre's pitiful saving throw Wisdom vs Spell DC. 1d20 - 2 = 3 - 2 = 1 Fail, damage 1d4 = 4]
It is a quick retreat towards their friends and away from the raging Ogre heading their way. Quick enough for Sanna's arrow to veer completely off course and Oisin's javelin to be completely ineffective against the monster's thick skin. However, on the edge of their vision as they race back, Oisin and Sanna will catch sight of something appeared from behind the keep proper far in the distance... another big figure though with skin white as snow, moving at a lumbering pace to see what is happening. Another Ogre. However, something off in the right of him draws his attention right as he leaves their line of sight due to passing through the gatehouse.
It is at this moment that Drusus bless takes effect... And that they hear the effect of of Lissa's magically powered insults hitting the dumb ogre... and causing him to go near berserk with rage, full of blinding fury. The Ogre moves full of fury squeezing through the gatehouse as he chases Oisin in particular... spending all his movement to run until he is right besides him...
[Ogre uses Dash action, doubling his speed and catching up with Oisin! However, he can do no attacks due to using up his Action in Dashing. Current position of the party is right outside the Gatehouse, out of the keep walls, nearly everyone bunched up together. Traps are set about ten feet away]
edited 16th Jan '15 11:48:13 AM by daltar
Lissa leaned out into the gatehouse and drew breath as Oisin and Sanna appeared, getting ready to weave magic into her words as the ogre appeared. Her mind raced as it always did to come up with something to say... and then she grinned. Rather than a song this time, perhaps a more earthy approach... the opening lines to Thunderhammer's devastating speech to the leader of the ogres in his eponymous saga would be just perfect. She leaned out and cupped one hand around her mouth. "Slík aumkunarverður kapp þú ert, yfirgefin af feðrum þínum og eftir að rotna í hellum en gömlu óvinir þínir vaxa öflug og ríkur og feitur. Dvergarnir hrækja á þig, sonur drullu, sonur óhroða og skít og skömm!" she shouted, grinning. If that didn't work...
Oh dear, did it work. Lissa stumbled back in surprise as the ogre roared and immediately abandoned its pursuit to rush at her, almost falling, but quick enough on her feet to avoid that embarrassing and probably fatal fate. "Back to the traps," she called hurriedly to the others, looking back to make sure they were close enough nearby to reach before the ogre caught them.
Icelandic for Dwarvish again. The speech I was going for was 'Such a pitiful race you are, abandoned by your fathers and left to rot in the caves as your old enemies grow powerful and rich and fat. Dwarves spit on you, son of mud, son of filth and shit and shame.'
It's been fun.
Until further notice
How do you miss something that large? Sanna watched in horror and incredulity as both her shot and Oisin's went wide. A second later, a vehement string of Elvish curses left her lips even as she continued her run back to the gates. <Scum-sucking misbegotten abomination of Nature! Rot take you!> She was grateful when she saw - and heard - Drusus and Lissa working their magic. Approaching them, she panted, "Little one - entered keep - another ogre - separated."
A pause for breath, a quick gesture of warding and hastily-chanted incantations, and the elf looked back - only to see that the ogre had caught up with Oisin. And as much as she found Oisin's fancy airs annoying, she didn't want to see him flattened. <<To your traps, half-blood!>>
Sanna's outline wavered and flickered, and suddenly, in the place where she once stood, a snarling Brown Bear was waiting for the ogre's next move.
Move: 35 ft, to behind traps. Action: cast barkskin on self. Bonus: Wild Shape into Brown Bear.
edited 16th Jan '15 2:49:59 PM by Pyrite
Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
Oisín drew out another Javelin and banged his holysymbol,
He spat out an old Sylvan curse for his spell, "Go n-iṫe an toċas ṫú!"
It light as he cursed at the Ogre and he moved back at fullspeed, risking a hard blow;
As he fled, he shouted a rejoinder; "Agus lá breá ag do ċara – do d’aḋlacaḋ!"
He turned to the group, "Keep yerselves back lads, not less than a good thirty feet if ye can manage it."
Minor Action: Ready Javelin. Main: Cast: Bane (Target: Oisín's little Ogre buddy. Looks like he followed me home. Question now is... Can we keep him?) Move: 30ft back
Gaelic-Sylvan convention, I am currently picturing Elvish as Welsh by the way: "Many an awful itch eat at you" and "And a good day to your friend; at your burial"
edited 16th Jan '15 11:57:17 AM by Fauxlosophe
Green food
His spell finished, Drusus stood up and strung the amulet over his neck once more.
Lissa and Oisin's prompting were unnecessary for Drusus, or any person with common sense. Drusus broke off from the gate, trying to keep a low profile. Not an easy task with the rattle of his chainmail, but hopefully the ogre's rage, along with the dark of the forest, would make it short-sighted. Hopefully, Drusus might be capable of getting the jump on it when the opportunity presented itself.
As he did this, Drusus looked about the woods himself, checking to see if Aldrik was still where they had left him.
Drusus is focusing his Bless on Lissa, Sanna and Oisin. They need fear no sudden sneezes.
This round, Drusus moves 30 feet from the gate, out of the way of the ogres, and hides in the dark.
edited 16th Jan '15 3:09:34 PM by SonofMelonHead
"And then the dead man of the dead did dead things to all the dead people."-Two Best Friends Play Dark Souls
Fearing that catching the ogre's attention might make losing it difficult, Lissa nonetheless had no choice but to follow Drusus's example and flee. She skirted carefully around Oisin's wicked-looking traps, then looked back at the gate. With luck, the ogre would follow her right over the trap. She hoped Oisin knew what he was doing.
I'll ready another Vicious Mockery for when the ogre comes into Lissa's sight. If all goes as planned, it should run right over the trap trying to get to her.
It's been fun.
[Lissa, Ready Mockery for when Ogre moves, moves back behind the first trap]
[Sanna casts Barkskin, moves behind the trap, transforms into a bear]
[Oisin moves back...
[Ogre reaction, Attack of Opportunity, at Disadvantage. 1d20+6 = 1 + 6 Critical MISS! Ogre hits his own foot with his Greatclub due to rage and confusion at the Vicious Mockery! Takes 7 damage]
[Cont... Oisin turn, readies Javelin, casts bane, Ogre makes charisma saving throw, 17-2 = Success, Bane doesn't take effect]
[Drusus moves to hide in shadows, no other actions]
[Ogre moves towards Oisin... triggering the readied Vicious Mockery! Wisdom Saving Throw, 1d20-2 = 3-2, failure. Damage 3]
[Ogre is right up to Oisin, takes action to attack with his Greatclub at Disadvantage due to his rage! Attack roll, 1d20+6 = 2+6 = Failure]
[To further increase his rage, as he gets in range to hit at Oisin he steps on a trap! Dextery Check to Avoid it... 1d20 - 1 = 5 -1 = Failure, Damage is 1d4 = 2. Additional effect, GM Fiat, the Ogre's foot is too big to fit in the trap, thus he isn't stopped. However, the sharp teeth cause an injury on the already hit foot, thus dropping his speed from 40 feet to 30]
Things don't get any better for the big brute, as a bunch of tiny, dancing, fleet footed enemies appear around the armored half elven warrior. Insults sting at his tiny brain and cause damage to his mind, making it hard to focus. Such a thing makes it troublesome for him to swing his club at the retreating elven warrior, so when he swings with all his hate behind it, he only manages to hit his own feet, causing a string of curses and wrathful cries to come from him...
However... there is murder in his eyes. It can be seen in his small eyes... in the way his big maw curls into a sneer of pure vile hatred. If it was for him, them and anything else in his sight would be destroyed, demolished, ground down into a paste. He is beyond livid as he runs towards Oisin, stepping on a trap and being hit with another mockery, stepping right onto a trap further wrecking his poor foot as he goes against the current object of his fury... Oisin. Once again he swings his greatclub, however, the half elven warrior comes unharmed from this one.
Oisín laughed as he weaved around the Ogre's blow, "Such a slaughter is almost a shame, though I'd not give this brute a kinder end for the troubles he's brought."
With that, he lunged towards the beast with his Javelin and beat another retreat towards the next trap.
"Aldrik? Lad? Where abouts have you gone? Have you me torch or me tinder? I've need of it now. Sanna, see if you can't find Nim. I don't like whereabouts this brute's friend as gone," He rambled loudly as he beat his retreat, "Drusus, Lissa; this blaggard has eyes for me alone, see if you can't do a bit more damage. Elsewise, keep an eye for the gate and tell me if his friend is along."
He knew that such a retreat risked another strike but he rather liked his odds of avoiding it, or at least surviving it.
Main: Stab Ogre with Javelin. Move: 30ft towards next trap and the trap after
edited 17th Jan '15 2:08:05 PM by Fauxlosophe
Until further notice
If Sanna had been able to speak, she would have stated, in no uncertain terms, that she would smack Oisin upside the the head for continuing to put himself at risk after taking that last hit - and furthermore, for trying to call for Aldrik to hand him his torch in the middle of a fight. Unfortunately for her, a bear's vocal cords were too primitive for even that. Instead, she growled disapprovingly and shook her head - hoping that that would get the message across - and barrelled into the ogre at full speed, clawing and biting.
Move: 40 ft, next to ogre. Action: Multiattack with Bite and Claw - refer to Brown Bear creature stats for attack and damage modifiers.
edited 16th Jan '15 9:36:49 PM by Pyrite
Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
Lissa swore she felt the wind from the ogre's rush as it stepped onto the first trap and turned to continue pursing Oisin, roaring as it turned. She ticked through the spells she knew and came up short - poking away at the creature's overstimulated brain wasn't going to help much at this point, and a thunderous shout would hurt Sanna and Oisin just as easily as the ogre. She swore under her breath and ran to keep pace with the ogre's pursuit, lifting her rapier. She'd never dreamed that one day she would have to jog after an angry ogre to keep a friend from being turned into paste, but by now it was a rather depressingly common occurrence. Either way, she ducked in fast and struck at the ogre's wounded leg.
Move to keep up with the ogre, then attack roll, positioning myself to stay out of Sanna's way.
It's been fun.
[Oisin attack with javelin, melee, 1d20+5 +1d4 = Hit, damage = 1d6+5 = 10]
[Oisin moves back...]
[Ogre uses reaction for attack of opportunity, 1d20 + 6 = 1 + 6 CRITICAL MISS. Ogre hits the ground so hard that the greatclub becomes stuck a little on the ground. Must spend move action in order to take it out]
[Sanna rushes with all the might of a full grown bear. 1d20+5+1d4 bite attack = HIT, damage 1d8+4 = 6 + 4, 1d20+5+1d4 claw attacks = HIT, damage 2d6+4 = 4 + 3 + 4]
[Lissa rushes in to attack! 1d20+4 = HIT!, damage is 1d8+4 = 6+4]
The ogre is in dire straights now, as the figure of his hate dances in to strike at him and then retreats beyond reach... worse yet, his swing is so powerful that when he strikes the ground, the club becomes stuck upon it. As he pulls back on it to get it off, he's hit with a lot of pounds of angry bear, whose bite and claws rake hard at his tough skin. Then there is another figure moving in, Lissa weaves in during the fighting, rapier in hand the bard lunges for a powerful attack on the monster!
The combined assault proves to be too much... the last strike of the bard dealt the killing blow. His body pierced by javelin and rapier, skin and muscles torn off by the sheer ferocity of the bear. Rhua, the Ogre, mighty and strong among his kin, his foot torn by his own rage and the cleverness of the adventurers lets out one last pained roar as he collapses down onto the floor.
Meanwhile, Aldrik peers from the woods, running towards the retreating Oisin, carrying both a javelin and the requested torch and timber as he looks how the brave adventurers, almost unscratched, fell down the terrible beast.
edited 20th Jan '15 2:50:19 PM by daltar
Oisín dropped his javelin and made his gestures, speaking in an old Sylvan chant (Cast: Speak with Animals)
{{Awake pups,}} He spoke in grows as his tongue twisted and teeth gnashed to mimic the sounds of Wolves, {{Keep your silence and you may well be saved yet. I see you are hungry and hurting, but me friends do help you and your kind. Bow your head and we'll do the pair of ye no harm, rise and you'll lie dead before your growl.}}
Dalt, if you want to roll persuade for this, please do.
edited 11th Jan '15 8:54:47 PM by Fauxlosophe