Monday, March 19, 2012
Giant Discussion 01
Alton steps into the ashy tunnel burnt through the jungle. Measuring 20' wide and tall, and of an indeterminant length Alton find himself in a structure, of sorts, large enough to house several dozen of his kind. Even from this distance of 40' he can feel the heat radiating off the giant as it burns it's way through the wilderness. As he speaks, the giant creature stops it forward motion, straightens up and turns around as it growls in a gravelly voice that spits sparks and spews smoke, "What? What is this? Someone speaking to me in the human tongue, no? How strange, with no humans anywhere around, right?" As the creature turns around it's sight is set to view someone fully twice Avegnum's height. The giant pauses, blinks and looks down to view Alton and his 'great' sword. "What is this? An exceptionally short human, no? With a massive sword, and some sparkly armor, I see? How should I approach this, with a visitor to my grand garden, I see? Not an drow, no, not a spider, no, not a snake or scorpion, no, not even a fiend, I see. Just a pale little midget with shiny, shiny armor and greatly massive sword? How does this little one like my shiny, shiny armor, hum? What is this little one to do in my garden, I wonder?" After this the giant stops talking, stares at Alton, and waits. While waiting Alton can feel the extra heat radiating from the giant dissipate, and sees the fire on it's head reduce to a small smolder.
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Being under the scrutiny of such a massive creature might have left lesser men (no not shorter) quaking in their boots or fleeing for the semblance of safety that distance might provide, but not Avegnum Nor! Standing fast and tall at a height of 2'4" he sweeps a bow towards the giant creature while he introduces himself.
ReplyDelete"Good sir, my friends call me Alton Goodbarrel, warblade. If you would care to converse in another tongue, my only other options are halfling or elven, but I shall leave that up to your discretion. While my own combat experiences are surely paltry in comparison to the tales you could tell, your armor is glorious sir! Such a work of craftsmanship!" The halfling says this most seriously. "I should never think to lead you astray, so I will explain my presence in your demesne post haste. Two, now injured, compatriots and I were assigned a task to complete but in our travel, something went disastrously awry and we were deposited here. So completely unprepared were we that the very air was slowly defeating us, though we managed to persevere. Hoping we could make our way out of the jungle on foot we set off but then we found ourselves in an arachnid ambuscade! Two monstrous spiders were slain, but the swarms and their fiendish lord, who I feel may be a most foulsome coward, fled, though it seems you may have just dealt with some of their compatriots. If they stand against you then what little aid my comrades and I could give is at your disposal. If it pleases you, I would be most interested in learning about you and this wild land you call home.”
(Diplomacy rolls in there somewhere though I think we might become best buddies)
Go ahead and roll your Diplomacy check and let me know what you get.
DeleteDiplomacy:1d20+11=19
DeleteThe giant creature smokes and sparks as his grumbly, loud, and growling voice echoes through the jungle, "Elven, hum, I think to fight those cursed drow, those dark elves, better I would say, but to speak in it normally would be quite the mistake, I should think. Quite the mistake indeed, krahaka!" (the last is something like a laugh)
ReplyDelete"Halfling, though I can not speak it, must represent you birth tongue since you are such a small human-speaker, no? Alton Goodbarrel Warblade, hmmm, never heard such a thing before, haven't. Can't say 'yes' to that, but 'no' does come to mind. My mind, that is. Though failure to complete a task I can understand - to much to do and not to much time to do it, I say, I do. Too much, not enough!”
“Others! Others you speak of? You speak of honesty but now I find there are two more of you tiny ones. And how many, I ask, after that? Two on top of two? Do you now try to surround me with little great swords, or bows with arrows like thorns? I think not, not enough time, not enough noise. Only one of you has approached me, so only one must I defeat if it comes to blows. But if the weakest of the beasts found in this garden on mine can hurt you so much you should probably hide from everything you see that moves, and from most things that don't move. Beware, beware, this garden is full of stuff and danger.”
OoC: While the 15' tall smoke spewing giant creature with draconic features is not actually finished speaking, the MoD (Master of Dungeons) would like to give the PCs an opportunity to respond if desired.
"I apologize profusely, sir, for any appearance of deception. Given how you affect your garden around you I think that any attack on you must surely be suicide, and wouldn't think of trying." Pointing into the jungle where Kaellanna and Vel are hiding, "My two comrades were still recovering from their poisoning at the site of our last battle, but I knew that I had to speak with you before you moved on. As you can see, my own legs would have had difficulty catching up with you and had to hurry! *laugh* My friends are a female (very normal not drow) elven druid, Kaellanna Virindil, her leopard companion Tara, and Vel Biggleton, a male human warlock, though he is decidedly the worst off."
ReplyDeleteTrying to learn more about the giant, Avegnum clears his throat and ensures that his hands are visible at all times to hopefully reassure the towering being that he has no hostile intent. Clearing his throat before continuing, having accidentally inhaled some of the ash from the giant's wake, "Since we now know a little bit more of our environment, I'm confident we'll prove much tougher and get stronger as we learn to adapt further to this marvelous land; a crucible to forge us anew if you please. Besides, even if we stayed put, danger and stuff would surely find us eventually, no? We might as well travel with you or head for someplace safe that you know of, and since this place is clearly your home we would appreciate your advice. It sounds like there is something you need to do - can we assist in any way?”
Looking extremely curious Avegnum adds one final bit before waiting for the giant’s reply, “I've also only heard tales of the drow, how much of a threat are they nowadays?"
(Diplomacy:1d20+11=21)
"Elves, Drow, one runs away, one sticks around. Not much difference." Alton is able to see that the creature's facial expression and attitude has changed with the mention of elfin companions, changed for the worse. He begins feeling the heat radiating off the creature again, and he sees the fire-hair expanding above.
ReplyDelete"So, tiny one, what are you and your followers here for, and why are you bothering me? I have work to do this day, and you offer me nothing so far."
No more diplomacy checks needed.
Crestfallen at the turn of events the mention of Kaellanna's race has induced, Avegnum tries to salvage what he can, though he fears it is already too late.
ReplyDelete"Please great sir, would you meet her for yourself so that you can see that she does not need to be a foe of yours? My friends told me to hide from you because of how fiercely fabulous you look but I would not be deterred until I had met you so that I could see what you are really like. Though I still know little of you, you appear to be a large and decent being, one that might allow even a non-drow elf to show that they are not deserving of outright destruction and mistrust."
Calling out to his companions, he asks them to emerge from the jungle to prove that they mean no harm, lest they delight in giant draconic wrath.
"You are going to get us all killed..." Kaellanna mutters under her breath as she steps out from the leafy shadows with Tara at her heels.
ReplyDelete"Your garden is beautiful," she calls out to the giant, as she walks up to Alton. "And I mean you no harm, or disrespect... We arrived here by accident- as Alton explained, our teleportation device had some sort of malfunction and stranded us here."
Ooc- I might not be able to post for a couple of days because this hotel is charging outrageous amounts to use the internet and starbucks closes annoyingly early.
Adding the 'new' elf to the engagement changes things bit. The giant creature looks back and forth between the two (Avegnum and Kaellanna), and add, "I guess it's about time. More for me, and more for those who come. I'm called Vik'Gotror. I take care of this place. Never thought I'd see a pale elf here, but there she is. So, how can I help this group? Why are you here? What do you intend?"
DeleteHaving stumbled after Kaellanna as she joined Alton, Vel sighs as his body decides it has found a good place to stop and promptly deposits him unceremoniously onto his butt amidst the charred path. Looking up at the newly introduced Vik'Gotror the weary human weakly waves an arm, "Hello.. I'm Vel, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. We're here because something disrupted our teleport, maybe the magic that seems to be Everywhere? We're trying to find a way to leave the jungle, I think either by working out what zapped us here or by simply by walking out if possible, right guys?"
ReplyDeleteAvegnum nods his agreement, only adding, "Indeed, we're focused on trying to survive and working out a way to get back home. Do you have any ideas what in the garden might have caused this?"
Vik'Gotror replies "Body looks week, perhaps you still need rest. Spiders are easy, but poison can be a problem. ... No one ever comes to my garden, no one ever leaves." Here he thinks a bit and then continues, "Unless you are fireproof. Garden is the best place, though, outside, between the mountains, in the city, not a good place. It's very hard, very hard indeed. But thanks to the dragons we are making it better, slowly." Vik'Gotror stops and thinks again, "You should rest and get your strength, then you may survive. But no one leaves ... no one comes here either. No one tells me anything, except the dark elves tell me how they are going to kill me."
ReplyDeleteHaving grown to like this estimable giant, Avegnum scowls at hearing of the dark elves' threats to him.
ReplyDelete"They sound like utter bastards these dark elves. What do they have against you that would make them want to kill you? Sounds like they might need to have their numbers culled," he finishes darkly.
Vel perks up at some of the other things Vik'Gotror just mentioned, "A city? What.. where is it? Wait a second... if even you think it's 'very hard' that might be a little bit dangerous." Looking around, the poisoned warlock realizes the absurdity of his statement and hopes the giant will speak on.
"They just ... well, uh ... I think they want the, uh ... or, uhm. I don't really know. They just stalk and kill anything that doesn't kill them. I haven't found their base or camp or any sign of where they come from yet. But I think I will, once I get this park under control. Maybe they think they are the wardens ... Not as bad as those scorpion people, though. Those are the worst." At this point he looks a little thoughtful and pauses. "But the city, well, not really a city any more, mostly just a ruin. I have not yet been there. I came to tame the park first and then I can go into the city to work. Maybe some day, but for now I concentrate on the task at hand." Vok'Gotror lowers the intensity of the heat emanating from his body until the group can no longer feel it beyond the ambient heat. While his 'hair' still smolders he looks around at the vegetation, "Look, see, that's why it's so hard to make any progress beyond the edges." He points back behind the group, down the path he has burnt, where the group can see at the edge of their sight that the brown and black ash is beginning to be replaced with the bright green of new growth.
ReplyDelete"Wow! If it grows like this all the time then you must be really busy," Vel splurts out. "Is it because of the magic everywhere?"
ReplyDeleteThe inexperienced adventurer, clearly intrigued by the mysteries around him, would continue launching questions at the giant in a fusillade of queries, but Alton puts his hand on the human's shoulder in order to rein him in; no need to unsettle or annoy a new acquaintance after all.
Curious about the giant's initial stumble, Avegnum narrows his eyes slightly and smiles as he tilts his head to the left, looking upwards into the face of the giant, "Vik'Gotror, oh tall one, we've been having such a nice conversation and it seems like you don't get many friendly visitors, which I hope we've shown that we are. What is this thing that the dastardly drow are looking for? Surely you can reveal information about it to those that wish you no harm. Also, if you haven't found the drow's camp during your time working in the garden, maybe they're hiding in those ruins, what better place to hide from you than a place you do not go?"
In his deep, rumbly baritone Vik'Gotror continues, "Well, I suppose the magic could make the garden grow faster. I am not certain of this, but the magic usually makes things evil and angry - horned, winged, furry and viscous - it doesn't make things grow, not normally. ... But it does make fiendish offspring, even if the woman is not carrying a child before. No, I don't think the evil magic all around us makes the garden more fruitful. But I think some other magic does. Even if I burn an area all day the garden starts growing back within a few days." He takes a step to the side and grabs a vine to watch it smolder, burn, and turn to ash in his hand before continuing.
ReplyDelete"As for the dark elves, I have no idea what they want. They don't say much to me except to hurl insults about being a slave master or a blood priest, neither of which I am. Perhaps they can fly, or are immune to fire. Only then could they cross the lava separating the garden from the city ruins since the bridges have been destroyed so long ago." Vik'Gotror looks around as if looking for something, and tilts his head side to side as if listening for something.
"I have only been to the ruins once, briefly, when I first got here about seven years ago, but the other giants never mentioned any dark elves. They only spoke of the oozes and slimes and other bizarre creations that wander the place and keep it clean. The city is much more difficult to survive in. There are several giants there who are the wardens, but it is still mostly empty. A small creature, such as yourselves, could survive by hiding and keeping out of the way of anything they see, except giants. If you do make it over there, as you have indicating you way want, tell any giants you meet that you are my friend. Except if the giants look feral, or fiendish, stay away from those, but if they look noble, and intelligent, if they look like me, you should be safe. Should be, depending on what you are doing when you meet them." At this point he smiles broadly at the group showing his may relatively small, but finely pointed teeth behind his smoldering beard and mustache.
"Hmm... Interesting..." Keallanna muses. "So what would you suggest we do? Where should we go?" She addresses to Vik'Gotror.
ReplyDelete"Go? You can stay here with me." He smiles, "I am hungry and food will be up soon. Just need to find some then we can eat. How about some of those spiders you were fighting with earlier?" He looks up at the canopy and into the drizzly rain, misty fog, leaves and branches before adding, "Unless you can fly, or are immune to lava, I can't really see you leaving the garden any time soon. You could help with the taming of the garden." He then looks thoughtful for a few seconds before rolling his eyes and smiling at the group, "But of course you will want to get back to where you came from or where you were going, so that might be a good place to go. To get there you would have to get past the lava, and through the city. That is possibly the best bet for a way out, though I don't know which way that would be once you got to the city." Again he thinks for a minute, then frowns to himself and finishes, "Your best course is to stay here until you are accustomed to the environment, then you can try to find your way wherever you want to be through the city. I have heard that there are many doorways, paths, portals, and other means to get to places beyond the city - Well, there used to be back when it was an actual city with people living in it." At this point he looks at the group and waits while rain drops fall harder and sputter into instant steam as they hit him.
ReplyDeleteAt the mention of food, even charred spider, Avegnum and Vel's stomachs rumble in synchronicity. Turning to Kaellanna and Alton, the human says, "More spiders? That city might have the key to everything and who knows what else; we should just head there before we get eaten by a bush or something."
ReplyDelete"Now, now, Vel. Some of us are still pretty banged up and some meat, even spider, sounds like it will hit the spot," Avegnum says, knowing it is never wise to turn down a meal, no matter how odd; he'd once eaten part of a boot, seasoned with a drop of alchemist's fire, when rations got thin at the front lines... Shaking his head to clear his wandering thoughts, "Sounds good to me Vik'Gotror. I think we'll have to get to the city at some point, but that can wait for now. If you don't mind letting us join you, let's go spider hunting! What do you say guys?"
Sighing in mild disagreement, Vel says, "Fine, ok, why not, I am still hurting from that spider poison, but at least now we should have a better chance against them, right?"
" Good, good" Grumbles Vik'Gotror as he smiles mischievously at the group. Suddenly he jumps straight up into the air reaching upward with both clawed hands. Unnaturally he seems to be propelled upward until his claws grasp around a large green, glistening branch above the party. As he descends the party realizes that his is no ordinary branch that strikes out at the giant as the fall, but a large serpent with bright green and silver colored scales. As both come crashing to the ground the giant rolls backward in to a prone position and the serpent falls next to and amidst the party. It's mithral eyes betray an intelligence beyond any mere snake the party is used to. As it rears it's head, threatening to strike, the party is suddenly aware that it is now engaged in a combat for Something to eat. "Now is the time to make a meal!" roars the giants as it tumbles backward and begins burning brighter with fire. "Lets see how you do against this, and if we eat well tonight!"
ReplyDeletePlease roll initiative as the party is now in combat with a large serpent about 11' long.
Avegnum:17, Vel: 17 (Wierd!)
ReplyDeleteEying the massive, to his eyes, serpentine challenge, Avegnum roars as his combat reflex kicks in and surges through his body. While Vel is completely startled, his mind only makes it appear as if time has slowed to a crawl when in reality he reacts fairly quickly to Vik'Gotror's delightful surprise.
Kaellanna: 7 (+3 mod)
ReplyDeleteTara: 7 (+5 mod)
lol.