3 - 059: The Third Piece

[K Man]

Krysta, Caelith, Hero, Garor, Newt, Girud, Galdren and Callian - Caelith is the first to react aggressively, pulling his bow and loosing an arrow with lightning speed. [Attack Roll = 22] The arrow flies straight and true, squarely into the squishy center-mass of the creature. [Damage Roll = 14] With a spray of puss and mucus, the creature literally explodes and covers the hallway in a thin layer of slime that begins to turn to steam just as quickly.

[When I stated within closing distance, I meant within 20 ft. Sorry for the confusion, but I knew this would be a short battle (5 HP) Hope no one is upset.]

[Fort. Save, all successes] Thankfully, you each manage to toss a hand over your nose before the horrible gas enters your lungs. You feel it dry your skin and leave you feeling itchy, again, a blessing you didn't inhale it.

Once the gas disperses, you take a closer look around your surroundings and where the demon stood. Down either side of the hallway, the leering stone visages in the hallway seem to point to a larger room beyond. Walking past the open snake-like tube and into either side reveals the same thing. The room opens up into a large area, roughly forty feet to a side.

However, the most striking feature of either room is the pyramid of skeletons in the center.

About a dozen on the base and less on each level, the skeletons stand rigid, each holding up the ones above it with bony arms. Atop each pyramid is a rowboat, roughly large enough to hold six human-sized people.

There is one in each wing and they appear to have no purpose as there is no water immediately in sight...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuri and Romar - The giant curses a bit under his breath when he's noticed and spoken to. [Diplomacy check and then Intimidate check by Yuri after manifesting Tongues] The giant doesn't react much, only scratching his scalp and his genitals as he listens with a titled head.

Once you're done and he brings his rock back as though to throw, and Yuri steps in front, using his eyes to try to calm the giant.

[glow=red,1,000]I warned you![/glow]

[Will Save, Giant = 24]

He shrugs the attacks and prepares to attack!

[Initiative: Romar, Yuri, The Giant]

   GG    
   GG    
   BB    
...........
...........
...........
...........
    RY

[/pre]

GG = Giant (He's 10X10)
R = Romar
Y = Yuri
BB = Boulder
__________________________________________________________________________________________

[GeneralMHB]

(OOC: Wow, that's one mentally tough giant!)

Yuri unleashes a mental blast of fiery missiles aimed at both the giant and the boulder to try and destory it. The bolts are surprisingly more powerful than any that he has unleased before. Sindri moves away from Romar to prevent both of us to get hit by the boulder.

(OOC: Energy Missile 7d6+7 dmg, Reflex save 20)

[TheUdjat]

Caelith nods in cold satisfaction, putting his bow away and picking up the Everburning Torch. He then immediately moves to examine the strange thing that the demon spoke into, trying to determine what it was. Mostly to himself, but partly for the benefit of others, he speaks on the matter.

"The demon uttered no spell, for his word were not Draconic. But neither were his words directed towards us, for he did not point, or look, or at all seem to address us. His words were intended for this device." He pauses. "Logic would presume that the words were meant for another. Or... others." He looks to the others, than to the new room.

"Lifeboats, perhaps?"

[Wizard]

"Held up by the damned...what devilry is this?"

[Japic]

Girud remembers this room and the life boats. His mind keeps coming abck to the things said of the river. He doesn't want to be a husk of a man with no memories. Hopefully those ifeboats will float, should they need it.

He will follow after the others.

[Hero]

Hero, who has nothing to offer to the conversation, will remain tacit.

[Fangor the Fierce]

Krysta stares at the device, and then at the boats. Turning towards Caelith, as he gives an educated guess, she nods. "Well, then. If ther ARE others, we should be ready for them to ambush us. With the look of things here, I would not walk so carelessly amongst this place. We should take our time, making sure we don't accidentally leave our flank or rear exposed for such an ambush. If you would agree, then a tactical order might be the best way to proceed. Typically, fighters near the front lines, ranged warriors in the rear. Magic users centered to gain cover and protection from the rear and front lines. As for scouting, Newt might work well alongside the goblin."

She thinks quickly, sort of talking in a monotone voice, as if the thinking was standard knowledge. When she realizes this, she quickly turns to Caelith, in a questioning manner. "It may be too soon to think of tactics and such, but the sooner, the better. Just in case..."

She then switches her weapon to that of her newfound longbow. She turns to Galdren and Girud, who seem to be in the frame of mind to stay in front. "The front lines could quickly get crowded. Also, I think I would do best in the rear, as a ranged attacker. That way, should we be caught offguard in the rear, I can switch weapons and fend off multiple attackers just as easily until aid coms. I can also keep the enemy off the magic users as well."

With that said, Krysta follows the group, keeping an eye out in the rear for anything sneaking up on them. her bow is out, with arrow notched...

[VemuKhaham]

Romar focuses on the heavy boulder that the giant is about to throw, then his eyes are cast downward on his faithful metal steed.

"It is time to show your worth, Húna..."

He spurs his horse quickly, even faster then the giant can react with his boulder, and he moves towards the side of the giant, quickly drawing his bow while moving.

As he is within range for the attack, he orders Húna to release her new power, the gases that she produces within her metal body, upon the foolish giant.

As he does so, he also shoots at the big hulk multiple arrows now that he has largely moved around the cover the boulder provides to provoke it to attack him, not Yuri. If he then throws the boulder at his mount, he will try to avoid it with his riding skills. If the boulder is hurled at he himself, he will try to take cover behind the mount by hanging alongside it.

---

Which comes down to this: Move action to get here:

   GG
   GG
   BB
...........
.......R...
...........
...........
     Y

Then Húna's attack at giant: 20-foot cone breath weapon (Fort dc 19, initial dmg 1d4con, secondary dmg 3d4con)
At the same time Romar's attack: MW Longbow, composite (+3str) (+10/+5, 1d8+3, x3, 110ft., P)
When the giant tries to hit him with boulder, he will take cover behind his horse (How much cover bonus is up to you: it wasn't said in the description of this action in the ride skill description). If he wishes to hit the horse, ride check +16 to replace mount's AC if higher.
All the other things that require ride checks were DC 15 or lower, so they won't be necessary to roll I guess.
I believe that covers it; finally I know what the rules on mounted combat are

[TheUdjat]

"Then perhaps to control our numbers in this tight spaces we should seek to pair off. That way we can try to keep out of each other's way as much as possible. I do not think, either, that it is at all too early to think tactically." He smiles mildly, then continues.

"Girud and Galdren sound a fine choice for the front, and I would also recommend Hero and Callian. That's two pairs, each one can watch the other's back, and focus their effort on whatever enemies we encounter. Newt and Mordrock would make excellent scouts, if you think that prospect useful - in such close quarters, it almost seems pointless, but you are the expert here. That leaves Garor, myself, and you, Krysta, to remain near the rear. Does that sound like what you had in mind?"

[BluSpecs]

Works for me I supose, since I've got the stubby's (motioning to his legs) I'll stick slightly behind ya. It'll give ya some buffer room in case we get sneaked up on