as the giant steps away matrix quickly draws his giant slayer sword and swipes at its face. -reaction-
15, 10+ 10 (2d6) if it hits as well as must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or fall prone.
as the giant swings it's sword Matrix jumps to the blade, running its length before slashing at the giant's hand and elbow, jabbing it twice in the temple (flurry of blows), action surge, slashing at the other side of its face and shoulder before attempting to leap back to the ship! with 2 stunning strikes (dc 13 con) mixed in.
The airship lifts off as Crownsguard clambers aboard. The giant, unable to react, stands their stupefied, swaying on his feet.
The remaining hobgoblins and bugbears flinger their projectiles at the ship, and while most of the javelins can be heard bouncing off the hull of the gondola, the hobgoblins aim high, for the balloon...
A black-skinned fire giant with fiery beard and hair, clad in ornate black armor, storms out of the stronghold's door in a pool of warm light. He holds a massive hammer in his hand and looks to the darkening sky as you float higher. He then yells in giantish to someone just inside the door, <Inform the team, the vessel is ascending.>
Aya resolves to give the giant (that Marav is scratching) a resounding poke! She holds her longbow in her off hand and draws her rapier, then thrusts the magic blade into the giant's unfocused eye. Once! Twice!
Ink lets the furnace run to continue raising the ship. When it's about twenty to thirty feet up, he peers over the edge of the ship and shouts down at Duke Zalto, in giantish, "Countess Sansuri sends warm regards!"
He then recasts sleet storm through the isle rune placing it beneath the ship, this time covering Zalto, the metal doors, and as much of the group below as possible.
He then steps back away from the railing and tells Matrix, "Grab the helm and steer this ship away from the exit at the top of the mountain - they're sending reinforcements out to meet us in the sky."
Quill then dashes sixty feet above the ship and keeps her head on a swivel looking out for incoming enemies.
The bellowing giant is covered in Ink's sleet spell, and yells out, <AFTER THEM! AND BRING ME MY HAMMER!>
Above you, you see the glow of flames flare up and then die down again along the top of the cliff, like several flashes of dull fire against the night sky. Ahead, the darkening valley beckons ominously, and a chill wind picks up, whistling around the frozen peaks that surround you.
Movement below you picks up as the remaining hobgoblins and bugbears relight their torches! The returning fire giant takes off after you, looking along the ground for something to throw.
// PLAYERS UP! Let me know what you'd like to do, and we will have you roll for it. //
We are now in a chase scene! Your goal in these scene is to get away. Every round you have ONLY one action each, which can be used to make an ability check or attack roll. Each round you will need to accomplish at least the following, presuming the airship is the primary method of fleeing:
One person uses their action to man the propeller & rudder (Wisdom check)
One person uses their action to man the furnace (Intelligence check)
These actions must be taken whether the airship is flying or sledging through the snow on its runners.
Those of you who aren't manning the airship are free to creatively use your abilities, skills, or weapons as you are able. Please announce you intentions and roll your check or attack. Damage is not rolled in this encounter; your objective is simply to secure successful d20 rolls. Depending on your task and degree of success, you might be able to secure bigger rewards for bigger risk.
(The Help action is available to you, and can possibly be used if appropriate to the task, but using it will not directly contribute a success to your overall total, since there is no roll involved. So you must weigh that fact against the fact that you would be granting advantage to your ally)
(Casting a spell could give automatic advantage to one or more ally, or possibly even result in an automatic "success" for you, depending on the level & type of spell cast)
As established, you are allowed one action per turn, but without any bonus actions or reactions for the encounter. These parts of your action economy are assumed to be used in your endeavor to flee, and are subsumed by the narrative of the chase. So you are encouraged to think narratively here. If you wish to use your movement, bonus actions or reactions for a task other than running away (in other words, you wish to stand and fight/duel), we can do that and run a split encounter.
Ayaci returns to her typical human proportions, her wild spirit giving way to pensive focus. Thus returned to her senses, she crouches low on Marav's back and spins to face their pursuers.
She touches two fingers to the shield rune on her left wrist, preparing to bend the world around herself to divert any incoming fire from striking her allies.
Ink sends Quill ahead of the ship, about ninety feet ahead of his station at the furnace, so that they can use her as a guide for any changes in wind, updrafts and thermoclines as they push ahead (DEX Athletics Check 11).
Ink calls to the helm, "Let's take it due west - if we hit the forests, that may slow down the pursuers on the ground."
Ink then focuses on operating the furnace! (INT Check 18)
Matrix, forgetting that the rudder's X-axis is inverted, veers into the stony cliffside and scrapes the balloon & gondola against the rocks. The airship shudders and lurches before righting itself.
Thankfully, Marav's icy breath fogs up the air, continuing the haze of Ink's sleet storm as the airship flees. A giant-thrown rock sails past your ship, missing by a mile.
One hobgoblin maneuvers around the sleet and ice, only to be hit dead center by Crownsguard's ballista bolt. A volley of arrows comes haphazardly through the haze, but Ayaci is able to magically turn an arrow that would have been dead on target. Other hobgoblin arrows embed themselves in the wooden deck of the gondola. What's left of the ground forces is left behind as you take to the skies, and even their arrows are having trouble reaching you at this distance as you leave them further and further behind.
However, up above you, fiery radiance appears to be spilling over the cliff. It is only a moment later that you realize it is two distinct forms hundreds of feet above you—one of a gigantic, fiery bird, and one of a bearded giant wreathed in flame. The two forms plummet toward you, joining the chase from the skies! The giant seems to be flying somehow. And the bird seems to have a rider, though it's difficult to make out the form in the darkness.
Aya shouts toward Marav's head. "Let's take them out!"
Assuming he complies, she waits until they are close enough to the bird to assume her giant form. Her stately demeanor once again gives way to wild strength and she crows as she leaps from Marav's back to attack the bird's rider. Using her (hopefully) massive strength, she attempts to take the reins of the enormous beast!
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Okay let's do this...
19
...
Marav and Ayaci fly straight up to intercept the gargantuan flaming bird and rider mid-air. Up close you can see that the bird has a wingspan of almost 100 feet, and the figure riding it is the adolescent fire giant you saw earlier, who you only know as "the prince." The giant prince's grim, hateful expression turns to surprise when Ayaci's form explodes to double size.
She now matches the young fire giant in stature, and in a single great leap she is able to tackle the rider and yank the reigns from him. The youth is sent toppling from his flaming mount...directly into Marav!! The two collide.
Marav, you and the fire giant prince begin to fall directly towards the airship. He is desperately clinging to you with all his strength, and is far too heavy for you to lift, seeing as he roughly matches you in size.
The other giant—flaming, with a big beard—is still flying down towards the airship.
as the giant steps away matrix quickly draws his giant slayer sword and swipes at its face. -reaction-
15, 10+ 10 (2d6) if it hits as well as must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or fall prone.
as the giant swings it's sword Matrix jumps to the blade, running its length before slashing at the giant's hand and elbow, jabbing it twice in the temple (flurry of blows), action surge, slashing at the other side of its face and shoulder before attempting to leap back to the ship! with 2 stunning strikes (dc 13 con) mixed in.
22, 7+2= 9
10 -assumed miss
26, 8 -punch
26, 10 -punch
26, 10+ 12
10 -assumed miss
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
Marav turns his attention at the giant and uses his claws to rip at the giants head and neck area. "Hold on Aya!"
Attack: 14 Damage: 13
Cold Damage: 8
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
(Aya holds on)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Crownsguard is a movin’! As fast as he can reach the ship!
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
The airship lifts off as Crownsguard clambers aboard. The giant, unable to react, stands their stupefied, swaying on his feet.
The remaining hobgoblins and bugbears flinger their projectiles at the ship, and while most of the javelins can be heard bouncing off the hull of the gondola, the hobgoblins aim high, for the balloon...
Attack: 6 Damage: 5 piercing
Attack: 17 Damage: 4 piercing
Attack: 9 Damage: 3 piercing
Attack: 9 Damage: 8 piercing
Attack: 20 Damage: 7 piercing
A black-skinned fire giant with fiery beard and hair, clad in ornate black armor, storms out of the stronghold's door in a pool of warm light. He holds a massive hammer in his hand and looks to the darkening sky as you float higher. He then yells in giantish to someone just inside the door, <Inform the team, the vessel is ascending.>
// Players up! //
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Aya resolves to give the giant (that Marav is scratching) a resounding poke! She holds her longbow in her off hand and draws her rapier, then thrusts the magic blade into the giant's unfocused eye. Once! Twice!
Attack: 22 Damage: 11 + 5
Attack: 12 Damage: 8 + 7
(DC 15 STR save! Maybe twice?)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Marav attacks again then flies Aya and himself toward the sky ship. Following it.
Attack: 23 Damage: 16
Cold Damage: 6
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
Ink lets the furnace run to continue raising the ship. When it's about twenty to thirty feet up, he peers over the edge of the ship and shouts down at Duke Zalto, in giantish, "Countess Sansuri sends warm regards!"
He then recasts sleet storm through the isle rune placing it beneath the ship, this time covering Zalto, the metal doors, and as much of the group below as possible.
He then steps back away from the railing and tells Matrix, "Grab the helm and steer this ship away from the exit at the top of the mountain - they're sending reinforcements out to meet us in the sky."
Quill then dashes sixty feet above the ship and keeps her head on a swivel looking out for incoming enemies.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
"Roger, Crownsguard keep the deck clear!" he then runs to the helm
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
The bellowing giant is covered in Ink's sleet spell, and yells out, <AFTER THEM! AND BRING ME MY HAMMER!>
Above you, you see the glow of flames flare up and then die down again along the top of the cliff, like several flashes of dull fire against the night sky. Ahead, the darkening valley beckons ominously, and a chill wind picks up, whistling around the frozen peaks that surround you.
Movement below you picks up as the remaining hobgoblins and bugbears relight their torches! The returning fire giant takes off after you, looking along the ground for something to throw.
// PLAYERS UP! Let me know what you'd like to do, and we will have you roll for it. //
We are now in a chase scene! Your goal in these scene is to get away. Every round you have ONLY one action each, which can be used to make an ability check or attack roll. Each round you will need to accomplish at least the following, presuming the airship is the primary method of fleeing:
These actions must be taken whether the airship is flying or sledging through the snow on its runners.
Those of you who aren't manning the airship are free to creatively use your abilities, skills, or weapons as you are able. Please announce you intentions and roll your check or attack. Damage is not rolled in this encounter; your objective is simply to secure successful d20 rolls. Depending on your task and degree of success, you might be able to secure bigger rewards for bigger risk.
(The Help action is available to you, and can possibly be used if appropriate to the task, but using it will not directly contribute a success to your overall total, since there is no roll involved. So you must weigh that fact against the fact that you would be granting advantage to your ally)
(Casting a spell could give automatic advantage to one or more ally, or possibly even result in an automatic "success" for you, depending on the level & type of spell cast)
As established, you are allowed one action per turn, but without any bonus actions or reactions for the encounter. These parts of your action economy are assumed to be used in your endeavor to flee, and are subsumed by the narrative of the chase. So you are encouraged to think narratively here. If you wish to use your movement, bonus actions or reactions for a task other than running away (in other words, you wish to stand and fight/duel), we can do that and run a split encounter.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Ayaci returns to her typical human proportions, her wild spirit giving way to pensive focus. Thus returned to her senses, she crouches low on Marav's back and spins to face their pursuers.
She touches two fingers to the shield rune on her left wrist, preparing to bend the world around herself to divert any incoming fire from striking her allies.
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Ink sends Quill ahead of the ship, about ninety feet ahead of his station at the furnace, so that they can use her as a guide for any changes in wind, updrafts and thermoclines as they push ahead (DEX Athletics Check 11).
Ink calls to the helm, "Let's take it due west - if we hit the forests, that may slow down the pursuers on the ground."
Ink then focuses on operating the furnace! (INT Check 18)
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Marav sprays out a cold foggy mist trying to obscure them as much as possible. He then continues following the ship.
Con: 9
Guidance (if allowed): 2
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
Crownsguard is going pew pew with the ballista! 23!
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
"Right!" Matrix promptly spins the wheel, turning east...
"what the? damn it's reversed! sorry sorry!
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
Matrix, forgetting that the rudder's X-axis is inverted, veers into the stony cliffside and scrapes the balloon & gondola against the rocks. The airship shudders and lurches before righting itself.
Thankfully, Marav's icy breath fogs up the air, continuing the haze of Ink's sleet storm as the airship flees. A giant-thrown rock sails past your ship, missing by a mile.
One hobgoblin maneuvers around the sleet and ice, only to be hit dead center by Crownsguard's ballista bolt. A volley of arrows comes haphazardly through the haze, but Ayaci is able to magically turn an arrow that would have been dead on target. Other hobgoblin arrows embed themselves in the wooden deck of the gondola. What's left of the ground forces is left behind as you take to the skies, and even their arrows are having trouble reaching you at this distance as you leave them further and further behind.
However, up above you, fiery radiance appears to be spilling over the cliff. It is only a moment later that you realize it is two distinct forms hundreds of feet above you—one of a gigantic, fiery bird, and one of a bearded giant wreathed in flame. The two forms plummet toward you, joining the chase from the skies! The giant seems to be flying somehow. And the bird seems to have a rider, though it's difficult to make out the form in the darkness.
// Players up. //
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Aya shouts toward Marav's head. "Let's take them out!"
Assuming he complies, she waits until they are close enough to the bird to assume her giant form. Her stately demeanor once again gives way to wild strength and she crows as she leaps from Marav's back to attack the bird's rider. Using her (hopefully) massive strength, she attempts to take the reins of the enormous beast!
Athletics: 22
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
(May have misread- if the bird has no rider, then she simply puts it in a chokehold and attempts to send it crashing into the giant!)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Marav holds near the bird and readies trying to "catch" Aya when she inevitably falls.
Acrobatics: 3
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
Okay let's do this...
19
...
Marav and Ayaci fly straight up to intercept the gargantuan flaming bird and rider mid-air. Up close you can see that the bird has a wingspan of almost 100 feet, and the figure riding it is the adolescent fire giant you saw earlier, who you only know as "the prince." The giant prince's grim, hateful expression turns to surprise when Ayaci's form explodes to double size.
She now matches the young fire giant in stature, and in a single great leap she is able to tackle the rider and yank the reigns from him. The youth is sent toppling from his flaming mount...directly into Marav!! The two collide.
Marav, you and the fire giant prince begin to fall directly towards the airship. He is desperately clinging to you with all his strength, and is far too heavy for you to lift, seeing as he roughly matches you in size.
The other giant—flaming, with a big beard—is still flying down towards the airship.
// What is everyone else doing? //
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM