(OOC: I should note, not too much time passes between now and the next thing that happens, so my next post will be after all 5 players have responded to my POST #2, and I'll answer all questions at that time.)
Dyn Gwelw (Perception sv vs 15 23) manages to flow with the crash, coming out upright, at least. "What were those thuds?" he asks to the car in general. He looks for an open, or broken, window in the roof (if there are none he will attempt to open a window) trying to get a look to the west to see what might have caused the thuds.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Perception: 16
Varielky who stood ready for danger managed to react well, considering the circumstances, and stand on top of the pile. "I think I heard them too." she replies to Dyn.
If there's an opening in the top, she'll also say: "If you push me up I can pull you all up after me. Sitting in here and dying trapped like rats is not an honourable death!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
With a few grunts of struggle, Mittens' ruffled upper half pops out from under the pile of people. He says, "Who the crap was driving?" He hears some of the people in the room with him talk about hearing noises from the outside. He struggles and eventually escapes the weight of the bodies in him. He stands up and dusts himself off. When he finishes, he snaps his finger unnaturally loud, and Pooky poofs out of existence. He mutters a few words and then looks upwards to the windows above him and snaps his fingers again. With a small puff of smoke, Pooky reappears outside on the roof. Mittens cups his hands to his mouth and shouts up at Pooky, "Take a look around outside, will ya!"
Pooky's Perception: 3
He stands there with his hands on his hips, tapping his foot while surveying the mess ahead of him. He gasps in fright and suddenly dives back into the pile. He exits a few moments later dragging his book out. He pulls up to his chest and hugs it tightly. "Thank goodness you're alright."
Ki'ami and Dyn Gwelw note that the pass-through doors at the front and rear of the car are both hanging open and through them a few rays of sunlight filter in for a moment and then dim. Sunlight comes and then dims through the slit windows now facing upwards. There are no windows in the roof (now the EASTERN wall (OOC: Apologies! I had this turned around in my spoiler, which I have now corrected.))
There are wooden cargo double-doors on both sides of the car near the front & back of the car (i.e. 4 sets of double-doors in total). Those in the wall now facing the ground are inaccessible. Those in the upward-facing wall (now, the ceiling), 10' above the wall you're standing upon (now, the floor), open outward, i.e., upward, and there is a long wooden beam which slides laterally (by pulling on attached iron rings) to hold them in place. Lanterns at either end of the car, near the pass-through doors at front and back, are hanging on rings, miraculously not having broken or spilled, and continue to cast a dim light.
Hard to tell who is injured or dead yet. No one in the party has taken damage.
Varielky: Hungry Boy responds, “I got you!” He kneels down so that he may boost you up. His Athletics roll is over 20 (successful), so Varielky please roll an Athletics save. You succeed unless you roll a 1. Success means, you’re propped up on Hungry Boy’s shoulders, your head touching the ceiling, with one hand on one of the iron rings, the other hand gripping onto the edge of one of the slit windows for balance and leverage.
Mittens:
Looking through Pooky’s eyes EASTWARD (OOC: Apologies! I had this turned around in my spoiler, which I have now corrected.)) you see a 40-foot tall humanoid, frosted pale blue in color, immediately outside your train car, its muscles the size of large horses, enormous menace-filled dark eyes glowering as it towers above. The giant creature does not seem to notice Pooky as it brusquely grabs for the toppled train. You are the only person not surprised by the Giant, so you get an extra round to respond to POST #3.)
POST #3
Without warning (unless Mittens says something), the roof shakes and groans, and you see it pulled off of the car, by a 4-storey tall Frost Giant!* (OOC: All: roll CHA saving throws against AC15 to avoid being held in place from fear for one round. Success means you get an extra round, either before or after the prompt below. Most of the troop are petrified in fear and surprise). The Giant throws the roof overhead and picks up a soldier in each hand (both having failed their save), crushes them both nearly to death, then throws them back in the car, finishing the job and knocking two members of your troop down prone. She leans in again, her breath smells like a city sewer. But before she can attack, you see her take a hit from the rear Burner -- a Jenghen device that can magically shoot a massive ball of Acid which bursts on contact. She roars in pain and anger, and the sound is petrifying. She moves off toward her assailant, revealing what had previously been hidden from view. The trees at the edge of the woods behind her are bristling with Dreyen archers! Arrows start slicing the air, arcing directly toward you!
There is general panic and a flurry of motion. One of the troop, a Sorcerer, casts Invisibility and disappears. Your commanding officer, Shirei-Kin (the Jenghen Paladin), readies his shield and shouts in a booming voice, “GET BEHIND THE TRAIN!!” while motioning ferociously for everyone in the car to dash around to the highway side of the overturned train car, putting it between you and the woods. What do you do?
(OOC: - The car, on its side, is 10’ tall.
The pass-through doors at either end have burst open with the fall.
Fastest would be run out of the car 5’ toward the woods, turn, run to the end of the car, turn, and leap between the cars either above or below the coupling. (Roll Athletics or Acrobatics vs. AC 10 not to slip in the snow at the coupling.)
Slower and more crowded, but better protected to run through the car to the pass-through door, then exit the car and move to the back.
Varielky, Athletics save (AC10) allows you to open the cargo door and pull yourself out. Failure means, only open the door.
Lanterns at either end of the car, near the pass-through doors, are hanging on rings, miraculously have not broken or spilled, and continue to cast a dim light.)
*(OOC: i.e., twice the height of a standard Frost Giant)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Charisma Saving Throw: 15
Ednyss, used to seeing creatures much larger and more dangerous than this shouts to his comrades, "Fear not, we will vanquish what is before us for we are WARRIORS!"
His Turn:
Ednyss places a hand on the emblem of a shield on his armor and draws in the divine power of Takal Demesh before pricking his hand on his war pick and speaking a word of power as the blood drips to the floor. He then sprints out of the car towards the woods, before turning and running the length of the car and then diving between the cars and under the coupling.
Action: Cast Bane on the Frost Giant (Requires a DC 15 Charisma Save) On a failure, the frost giant must subtract 1d4 from all attack rolls and saving throws for the next minute.
Bonus Action: None
Move Action: 5 feet towards the woods, 10 feet down the length of the car, and 10 feet under the coupling and out on the other side of the car (I'm not sure if these distances work out, but otherwise just let me know how far I can get) Athletics Check to go under the coupling: 16
Varielky, after being propped up by the boy, opens the door on the top side and climbs out. She then lies prone on the topside of the ceiling so that it'll be harder to hit her and lays her shield on her back for extra protection. She reaches with her hand down. "Quick, grab and I'll pull you up!"
If another Athletics is needed to pull the boy up: 13
(OOC: This is my secondary account for when I am away from home. The device I am currently on won't let me use my usual account for some reason.)
Before Post 3~
Mittens takes a moment to calm his mind and body as he shifts his senses to Pooky. Using Pooky's body, he turns and looks at their surroundings from atop the train car. Down in the train car, Mittens shouts, "Oh SHOOT!! There's a giant outside!"
After Post 3~
Pooky stumbles lopsidedly off of the 'roof' just before the giant rips it off. He plunks down into the snow and begins struggling through it towards Mittens.
Charisma Saving Throw: 18
Mittens assumes his own senses just as the giant takes two of his companions and hurls them out of sight. Mittens gives a strangled squeak of fear as he rattles off some arcane phrases and casts Silent Image. The air above him and his companions before it shimmers and turns black.
From the giant's point of view, the people disappear from sight as a swirling vortex of darkness opens up in front of it. The air around the vortex shimmers and appears to be sucked into the dark oblivion in front of the giant. Despite the effect, it is disturbingly silent. (OOC: Trying to intimidate the giant or something so everyone can escape.)
After he completes his spell, Mittens forcefully gestures to the exit before rushing between everyone to get outside. Once outside, he presses himself against the car wall opposite of the giant (or at least the side not about to be peppered with arrows or about to be crushed by a giant) and tries to catch his breath. That was WAY too close, he thinks.
That's ok - I combined two rounds into one Post. Missing your CHA save means you stood dumbstruck while the 2 provincials were plucked up and smashed. You still have one round to act.
That's ok - I combined two rounds into one Post. Missing your CHA save means you stood dumbstruck while the 2 provincials were plucked up and smashed. You still have one round to act.
(OOC: Would that mean that those of us that made the save have a second turn?)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
(OOC: This is my secondary account for when I am away from home. The device I am currently on won't let me use my usual account for some reason.)
Pooky stumbles lopsidedly off of the 'roof' just before the giant rips it off. He plunks down into the snow and begins struggling through it towards Mittens.
Charisma Saving Throw: 18
Mittens assumes his own senses just as the giant takes two of his companions and hurls them out of sight. Mittens gives a strangled squeak of fear as he rattles off some arcane phrases and casts Silent Image. The air above him and his companions before it shimmers and turns black.
(OOC: I wasn't clear in my description of the car. The roof is now the east wall. Here's a quick sketch (below). The giant plucks people by reaching into the side of the train. So your Silent Image spell will be to immediately to the east of the train, not above it. Affects the giant's view (although he immediately turns away) and also protects those within 7.5' of you from being seen by archers in the trees after the giant moves. However, since our orientation was not in synch regarding up/down, you can change your action of you wish.)
That's ok - I combined two rounds into one Post. Missing your CHA save means you stood dumbstruck while the 2 provincials were plucked up and smashed. You still have one round to act.
(OOC: Would that mean that those of us that made the save have a second turn?)
(OOC: Yes: from #25: " Success means you get an extra round, either before or after the prompt below." I was hoping to move things along by combining rounds, but maybe that was a bad idea.)
(OOC: That's fine, I just didn't realize it... It's on me)
His Turn:
Ednyss finishes rushing around the car and to safety. Just before he dives under the coupling, he touches his emblem again and speaking another word of power, he calls down searing divine vengeance upon this giant. Once in safety, he calls to Mittens, next to him, and Varielky, on top of the car, "You ready for a fight?" He is grinning broadly as he feels the rush of adrenaline that comes only from battle surge through his body.
Action: Cast Sacred Flame on the Frost Giant (Requires a DC 15 Dexterity Save) - Subtract 1d4 from the save if the save against Bane failed. On a failure, the frost giant takes 3 Radiant Damage
Bonus Action: None
Move Action: Finish running around the car and taking cover behind the flipped car.
(OOC: We'll assume Dwyn Gwelw and Ka'imi make it to the back of the car by taking cover behind Mittens' silent image illusion and exiting with the crowd through the pass-through door.)
POST #4
Arrows whistle everywhere, clattering against the edge of the roof, ricocheting, falling short of the train, arcing overhead, and most, hitting the car’s floor -- which, now upright, makes a 10’ high wall opposite the Dreyens.
Varielky, with hardly a grunt, hoists up Hungry Boy through the opened cargo door. Alas, now revealed to the missile fire, Hungry Boy takes two arrows in the back before he can leap to the ground and, blood dripping from his mouth, falls in a heap next to Varielky.
Varielky: Please Roll Athletics Save. If you roll a 1, you take 1pt damage, turning an ankle while dropping off of the car into the slippery slush.
Endryss: (OOC: the giant makes its CHA save, but fails its DEX save and takes 3 damage.) A beam of sunlight from the east strikes your shield's emblem, converting to a lick of celestial fire which reflects up to sear the giant's shoulder blade, unnoticed as it steps away. (OOC: Kudos to Endryss for the first hit of the game! #extra experience)
Mittens’ spell hides some of his compatriots from harm, and the archers are too far away to note that their arrows are passing through it. The illusion holds, and many of your troops leap for that end of the train and exit the car safely.
Hooded Girl takes missile fire in the belly and lungs, and drops to her knees, then falls dead, along with several others who were too slow to respond.
The company forms up behind the car, and you all catch your breath for a brief moment, noting casualties - 9 dead. Unseen in the near distance, a Dreyen great horn (OOC: like an Alp Horn https://www.officialworldrecord.com/owr-tocando-el-instrumento ) calls brazenly from the woods.
Your leader’s Right Hand, an older Orracan orderly, quickly hands out healing potions, but there aren’t enough for everyone.
(OOC: Roll #1: 1d20 against AC5, no bonuses. If successful, you get a potion of healing).
Shirei-Kin momentarily covers his ears to dull the shouting of the troops -- listening in his head for orders from the brigade commander. Then he straightens up and shouts, “We’re moving out before the ‘lloshing Giant smashes the entire company. We’re retreating to the village we just passed. Rocs are coming. Form up, Squads!”
And he leads the way south toward the rear car. The PCs end up as squad #4, along with 5 other provincials. A Roc flies low over the Giant, which has just smashed the rear Burner into bits, engaging it in battle, which you can see over the edge of the car. The rider deals the Giant a blow, slicing its right hand with a greatsword and severing an enormous finger. Oily blue blood splatters some of your company (roll #2: 1d20 against AC5, no bonuses. If you fail, you’re splattered--the lower your roll, the more juicy).
In the near distance, as you peek between the cars, you see another Roc carrying a saddled Jenghen Sorcerer receive longbow fire while diving over the woods, then you see a huge ball of fire erupt at the treeline, sending the archers scattering and setting the woods aflame.
Shirei-Kin shouts, “Now’s our chance! HOLD HANDS, KIDS!!! LET’S GO, LET’S GO, LET’S GO!!!” Your company surges forward. (OOC. “Hold hands,” is Shirei-Kin’s mildly insulting way of telling you to stay with your squad. If you don’t follow orders, you will probably be summarily executed. That’s already happened on this trip to one stupid kid. Jenghen military law is merciless.)
Bards among you bring bone ocarinas to their mouths, giving the company new confidence with their screeching, whistling melodies accompanied by the beating of skin drums with long curved sticks, lending Inspiration to a few. (roll #3: 1d20, no bonuses. If you roll a 20, you are the object of Inspiration) https://www.dndbeyond.com/classes/bard#BardicInspiration-75 (1d6)
"Damnit, without even a chance to prove themselves," says Varielky as she leps down. Athletics: 18 She looks at the dead boy. "But this one showed promise. May his soul be guided up to Hallvala." She seems to intentionally ignore the pain from her ankle, though every step she takes on her right leg is painful, and her expression cannot hide that fact.
Roll#1: 5
She takes the potion of healing without a word and puts it in one of her pouches. Hearing the commander's orders, she swears for a moment. She doesn't want to run from battle. On the other hand, she knows listening to orders is also important and she begins to march with her squad, limping lightly on her right leg.
Roll#3(What happened to #2?):8
Varielky manages to avoid the splatter.
Roll#4: 2
While marching forward with the squad, although hearing the music, Varielky seems to be too occupied with the pain to be inspired by their music.
(OOC: I should note, not too much time passes between now and the next thing that happens, so my next post will be after all 5 players have responded to my POST #2, and I'll answer all questions at that time.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Dyn Gwelw (Perception sv vs 15 23) manages to flow with the crash, coming out upright, at least. "What were those thuds?" he asks to the car in general. He looks for an open, or broken, window in the roof (if there are none he will attempt to open a window) trying to get a look to the west to see what might have caused the thuds.
(OCC Checking first for further dangers)
As he does so he calls out, "Any one hurt?"
Panic is a mechanism that strengthens the gene pool.
Perception: 16
Varielky who stood ready for danger managed to react well, considering the circumstances, and stand on top of the pile. "I think I heard them too." she replies to Dyn.
If there's an opening in the top, she'll also say: "If you push me up I can pull you all up after me. Sitting in here and dying trapped like rats is not an honourable death!"
Varielky
With a few grunts of struggle, Mittens' ruffled upper half pops out from under the pile of people. He says, "Who the crap was driving?" He hears some of the people in the room with him talk about hearing noises from the outside. He struggles and eventually escapes the weight of the bodies in him. He stands up and dusts himself off. When he finishes, he snaps his finger unnaturally loud, and Pooky poofs out of existence. He mutters a few words and then looks upwards to the windows above him and snaps his fingers again. With a small puff of smoke, Pooky reappears outside on the roof. Mittens cups his hands to his mouth and shouts up at Pooky, "Take a look around outside, will ya!"
Pooky's Perception: 3
He stands there with his hands on his hips, tapping his foot while surveying the mess ahead of him. He gasps in fright and suddenly dives back into the pile. He exits a few moments later dragging his book out. He pulls up to his chest and hugs it tightly. "Thank goodness you're alright."
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Ki'ami and Dyn Gwelw note that the pass-through doors at the front and rear of the car are both hanging open and through them a few rays of sunlight filter in for a moment and then dim. Sunlight comes and then dims through the slit windows now facing upwards. There are no windows in the roof (now the EASTERN wall (OOC: Apologies! I had this turned around in my spoiler, which I have now corrected.))
There are wooden cargo double-doors on both sides of the car near the front & back of the car (i.e. 4 sets of double-doors in total). Those in the wall now facing the ground are inaccessible. Those in the upward-facing wall (now, the ceiling), 10' above the wall you're standing upon (now, the floor), open outward, i.e., upward, and there is a long wooden beam which slides laterally (by pulling on attached iron rings) to hold them in place. Lanterns at either end of the car, near the pass-through doors at front and back, are hanging on rings, miraculously not having broken or spilled, and continue to cast a dim light.
Hard to tell who is injured or dead yet. No one in the party has taken damage.
Varielky: Hungry Boy responds, “I got you!” He kneels down so that he may boost you up. His Athletics roll is over 20 (successful), so Varielky please roll an Athletics save. You succeed unless you roll a 1. Success means, you’re propped up on Hungry Boy’s shoulders, your head touching the ceiling, with one hand on one of the iron rings, the other hand gripping onto the edge of one of the slit windows for balance and leverage.
Mittens:
Looking through Pooky’s eyes EASTWARD (OOC: Apologies! I had this turned around in my spoiler, which I have now corrected.)) you see a 40-foot tall humanoid, frosted pale blue in color, immediately outside your train car, its muscles the size of large horses, enormous menace-filled dark eyes glowering as it towers above. The giant creature does not seem to notice Pooky as it brusquely grabs for the toppled train. You are the only person not surprised by the Giant, so you get an extra round to respond to POST #3.)
POST #3
Without warning (unless Mittens says something), the roof shakes and groans, and you see it pulled off of the car, by a 4-storey tall Frost Giant!* (OOC: All: roll CHA saving throws against AC15 to avoid being held in place from fear for one round. Success means you get an extra round, either before or after the prompt below. Most of the troop are petrified in fear and surprise). The Giant throws the roof overhead and picks up a soldier in each hand (both having failed their save), crushes them both nearly to death, then throws them back in the car, finishing the job and knocking two members of your troop down prone. She leans in again, her breath smells like a city sewer. But before she can attack, you see her take a hit from the rear Burner -- a Jenghen device that can magically shoot a massive ball of Acid which bursts on contact. She roars in pain and anger, and the sound is petrifying. She moves off toward her assailant, revealing what had previously been hidden from view. The trees at the edge of the woods behind her are bristling with Dreyen archers! Arrows start slicing the air, arcing directly toward you!
There is general panic and a flurry of motion. One of the troop, a Sorcerer, casts Invisibility and disappears. Your commanding officer, Shirei-Kin (the Jenghen Paladin), readies his shield and shouts in a booming voice, “GET BEHIND THE TRAIN!!” while motioning ferociously for everyone in the car to dash around to the highway side of the overturned train car, putting it between you and the woods.
What do you do?
(OOC: - The car, on its side, is 10’ tall.
*(OOC: i.e., twice the height of a standard Frost Giant)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Charisma Saving Throw: 15
Ednyss, used to seeing creatures much larger and more dangerous than this shouts to his comrades, "Fear not, we will vanquish what is before us for we are WARRIORS!"
His Turn:
Ednyss places a hand on the emblem of a shield on his armor and draws in the divine power of Takal Demesh before pricking his hand on his war pick and speaking a word of power as the blood drips to the floor. He then sprints out of the car towards the woods, before turning and running the length of the car and then diving between the cars and under the coupling.
Action: Cast Bane on the Frost Giant (Requires a DC 15 Charisma Save)
On a failure, the frost giant must subtract 1d4 from all attack rolls and saving throws for the next minute.
Bonus Action: None
Move Action: 5 feet towards the woods, 10 feet down the length of the car, and 10 feet under the coupling and out on the other side of the car (I'm not sure if these distances work out, but otherwise just let me know how far I can get)
Athletics Check to go under the coupling: 16
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Athletics no.1: 18
Charisma ST: 20
Athletics no.2: 17
Varielky, after being propped up by the boy, opens the door on the top side and climbs out. She then lies prone on the topside of the ceiling so that it'll be harder to hit her and lays her shield on her back for extra protection. She reaches with her hand down. "Quick, grab and I'll pull you up!"
If another Athletics is needed to pull the boy up: 13
Varielky
OOC: I should have included this map of the car in the prior post.:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pa1AGyup012WUYC2jMyXXXoQT1LYCrfw/view?usp=sharing
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: This is my secondary account for when I am away from home. The device I am currently on won't let me use my usual account for some reason.)
Before Post 3~
Mittens takes a moment to calm his mind and body as he shifts his senses to Pooky. Using Pooky's body, he turns and looks at their surroundings from atop the train car. Down in the train car, Mittens shouts, "Oh SHOOT!! There's a giant outside!"
After Post 3~
Pooky stumbles lopsidedly off of the 'roof' just before the giant rips it off. He plunks down into the snow and begins struggling through it towards Mittens.
Charisma Saving Throw: 18
Mittens assumes his own senses just as the giant takes two of his companions and hurls them out of sight. Mittens gives a strangled squeak of fear as he rattles off some arcane phrases and casts Silent Image. The air above him and his companions before it shimmers and turns black.
From the giant's point of view, the people disappear from sight as a swirling vortex of darkness opens up in front of it. The air around the vortex shimmers and appears to be sucked into the dark oblivion in front of the giant. Despite the effect, it is disturbingly silent. (OOC: Trying to intimidate the giant or something so everyone can escape.)
After he completes his spell, Mittens forcefully gestures to the exit before rushing between everyone to get outside. Once outside, he presses himself against the car wall opposite of the giant (or at least the side not about to be peppered with arrows or about to be crushed by a giant) and tries to catch his breath. That was WAY too close, he thinks.
Acrobatics: 16
Dyn Gwelw's CHS sv (16)
(OCC Well . . .)
Panic is a mechanism that strengthens the gene pool.
That's ok - I combined two rounds into one Post. Missing your CHA save means you stood dumbstruck while the 2 provincials were plucked up and smashed. You still have one round to act.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: Would that mean that those of us that made the save have a second turn?)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
(OOC: I wasn't clear in my description of the car. The roof is now the east wall. Here's a quick sketch (below). The giant plucks people by reaching into the side of the train. So your Silent Image spell will be to immediately to the east of the train, not above it. Affects the giant's view (although he immediately turns away) and also protects those within 7.5' of you from being seen by archers in the trees after the giant moves. However, since our orientation was not in synch regarding up/down, you can change your action of you wish.)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_GashQpPI2NQg7yRcbQ2JYCxc5y1e0uH/view?usp=sharing
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: Yes: from #25: " Success means you get an extra round, either before or after the prompt below." I was hoping to move things along by combining rounds, but maybe that was a bad idea.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: That's fine, I just didn't realize it... It's on me)
His Turn:
Ednyss finishes rushing around the car and to safety. Just before he dives under the coupling, he touches his emblem again and speaking another word of power, he calls down searing divine vengeance upon this giant. Once in safety, he calls to Mittens, next to him, and Varielky, on top of the car, "You ready for a fight?" He is grinning broadly as he feels the rush of adrenaline that comes only from battle surge through his body.
Action: Cast Sacred Flame on the Frost Giant (Requires a DC 15 Dexterity Save) - Subtract 1d4 from the save if the save against Bane failed.
On a failure, the frost giant takes 3 Radiant Damage
Bonus Action: None
Move Action: Finish running around the car and taking cover behind the flipped car.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Ka'imi is surprised by the giant, this is bigger than he expected.
8
(OOC: sorry, this was supposed to post this morning)
(OOC: Ka'imi still gets one turn while the Giant is being attacked by the Burner)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: We'll assume Dwyn Gwelw and Ka'imi make it to the back of the car by taking cover behind Mittens' silent image illusion and exiting with the crowd through the pass-through door.)
POST #4
Arrows whistle everywhere, clattering against the edge of the roof, ricocheting, falling short of the train, arcing overhead, and most, hitting the car’s floor -- which, now upright, makes a 10’ high wall opposite the Dreyens.
Varielky, with hardly a grunt, hoists up Hungry Boy through the opened cargo door. Alas, now revealed to the missile fire, Hungry Boy takes two arrows in the back before he can leap to the ground and, blood dripping from his mouth, falls in a heap next to Varielky.
Varielky: Please Roll Athletics Save. If you roll a 1, you take 1pt damage, turning an ankle while dropping off of the car into the slippery slush.
Endryss: (OOC: the giant makes its CHA save, but fails its DEX save and takes 3 damage.) A beam of sunlight from the east strikes your shield's emblem, converting to a lick of celestial fire which reflects up to sear the giant's shoulder blade, unnoticed as it steps away. (OOC: Kudos to Endryss for the first hit of the game! #extra experience)
Mittens’ spell hides some of his compatriots from harm, and the archers are too far away to note that their arrows are passing through it. The illusion holds, and many of your troops leap for that end of the train and exit the car safely.
Hooded Girl takes missile fire in the belly and lungs, and drops to her knees, then falls dead, along with several others who were too slow to respond.
The company forms up behind the car, and you all catch your breath for a brief moment, noting casualties - 9 dead. Unseen in the near distance, a Dreyen great horn (OOC: like an Alp Horn https://www.officialworldrecord.com/owr-tocando-el-instrumento ) calls brazenly from the woods.
Your leader’s Right Hand, an older Orracan orderly, quickly hands out healing potions, but there aren’t enough for everyone.
(OOC: Roll #1: 1d20 against AC5, no bonuses. If successful, you get a potion of healing).
Shirei-Kin momentarily covers his ears to dull the shouting of the troops -- listening in his head for orders from the brigade commander. Then he straightens up and shouts, “We’re moving out before the ‘lloshing Giant smashes the entire company. We’re retreating to the village we just passed. Rocs are coming. Form up, Squads!”
And he leads the way south toward the rear car. The PCs end up as squad #4, along with 5 other provincials. A Roc flies low over the Giant, which has just smashed the rear Burner into bits, engaging it in battle, which you can see over the edge of the car. The rider deals the Giant a blow, slicing its right hand with a greatsword and severing an enormous finger. Oily blue blood splatters some of your company (roll #2: 1d20 against AC5, no bonuses. If you fail, you’re splattered--the lower your roll, the more juicy).
In the near distance, as you peek between the cars, you see another Roc carrying a saddled Jenghen Sorcerer receive longbow fire while diving over the woods, then you see a huge ball of fire erupt at the treeline, sending the archers scattering and setting the woods aflame.
Shirei-Kin shouts, “Now’s our chance! HOLD HANDS, KIDS!!! LET’S GO, LET’S GO, LET’S GO!!!” Your company surges forward. (OOC. “Hold hands,” is Shirei-Kin’s mildly insulting way of telling you to stay with your squad. If you don’t follow orders, you will probably be summarily executed. That’s already happened on this trip to one stupid kid. Jenghen military law is merciless.)
Bards among you bring bone ocarinas to their mouths, giving the company new confidence with their screeching, whistling melodies accompanied by the beating of skin drums with long curved sticks, lending Inspiration to a few. (roll #3: 1d20, no bonuses. If you roll a 20, you are the object of Inspiration) https://www.dndbeyond.com/classes/bard#BardicInspiration-75 (1d6)
(OOC: Here is a map. You are at the red X: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wz_Ea2djxkzXS3mYNOh6D5tIYfllJmcC/view?usp=sharing )
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Ka'imi considers his longsword but decides on notching and readying the bow. This is not how he expected the last part of his year of service to end.
"You lot that were gaming before, I'm with you. Let's get to the village while we can"
Roll 1
20
Roll 2
12
Roll 3
14
"Damnit, without even a chance to prove themselves," says Varielky as she leps down.
Athletics: 18
She looks at the dead boy. "But this one showed promise. May his soul be guided up to Hallvala." She seems to intentionally ignore the pain from her ankle, though every step she takes on her right leg is painful, and her expression cannot hide that fact.
Roll#1: 5
She takes the potion of healing without a word and puts it in one of her pouches. Hearing the commander's orders, she swears for a moment. She doesn't want to run from battle. On the other hand, she knows listening to orders is also important and she begins to march with her squad, limping lightly on her right leg.
Roll#3(What happened to #2?):8
Varielky manages to avoid the splatter.
Roll#4: 2
While marching forward with the squad, although hearing the music, Varielky seems to be too occupied with the pain to be inspired by their music.
Varielky