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Humble's Ford Archives

"There are stairs to the tunnels at: The Belly Buster; The Sling & Arrow; another about 150 feet west of The Smallholding Farrier; and The Dancing Pig."

| Humble's Ford | | #1706 - then tell 'em what you want, and what you figure it costs. Etc.][/b]

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells) 
Tuesday September 18th, 2018 1:56:14 PM
Jack Zaragosa agrees that he should go with the infiltrators

(OOC sorry for the short post. Sometimes I don't know what to write so I try to wait until the end of the day only to forget to post)

DM Carl  d100=60 ;
Tuesday September 18th, 2018 2:10:59 PM
Murphy asks the party to meet him at the town's temple to Ffloy and Flower when they're ready to move. In the meantime, he does this and that, but most importantly heads to the tower to speak to the air elementals.

OOC: I gave you a 75% chance that there would be at least one elemental there, and a 25% chance that there'd be a medium sized one. I rolled 60 - there's at least one small air elemental. Keep in mind they have an INT of 4.

Murphy's way with words spur the elemental to action (diplomacy: pass). It flies away much faster than Humble's Sword can travel via two legs. Still, Murphy doesn't see it return for about 90 minutes. That's about an hour after the sun finally rises on this day. It wooshes around excitedly for a minute before Murphy's able to get anything out of it.

In auran (obviously), it relays the following:

"IT IS BIG." The elemental flies far into the air, to the point where it's hard to make out against the wispy early morning clouds. It's impossible to accurately judge how far up it is, but it's way past the top of the tower.

"HEAVY!" it screams as it comes crashing down on the ground. It fails to make much of an impact, despite how hard it's obviously trying.

"We are going to run. Giant too big to fight." With that, it gathers up its friends at the tower and they make haste away from town. Murphy is able to make note of what direction the elemental came from when it returned from its scouting mission.

Talia will need 2 hours to prepare spells.

Pressi makes plans, and is still in favor of splitting the party.

Kezzem wants to move ASAP, but his companions don't share his haste and need time to prepare. He wonders if this will be the day his mushroom farmer disguise finally pays off.

Succotash agrees with Pressi, as does Zaragosa.

***

So far, I have you leaving at a minimum of two hours unless someone interrupts Talia. That doesn't mean we're AT the 2 hour mark. If you're waiting for the elemental to return before you solidify a plan, we're at the 90 minute mark. Really though, I'm flexible. So long as your plan is plausible, it's fine.

Kim, can you post for Jon-Paul since he's been evacuated?

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Tuesday September 18th, 2018 5:19:47 PM
ooc: I'm confused why Talia needs time to prepare spells? Isn't she a sorcerer?

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Tuesday September 18th, 2018 5:25:42 PM
Hobie took the same hour as the other spellcasters to prepare his spells, and will immediately join back with the rest of the crew.

"So how does everyone feel about the plan (I think Pressi first thought of it?) of splitting into an assault team and an infiltration team?

Assault team will meet this thing out front and try to distract it, while the infiltration team goes in through the heel and tries to take it out from the inside.

Pressi suggested she lead the infiltration team and have Murphy lead the assault team.

I want to be on the infiltration team, and I know Sucker said he'd like to be assault. Where's everyone else stand?"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24 
Tuesday September 18th, 2018 6:40:05 PM
OOC: Question for DM. Can Kezzem reprepare the Lesser Restoration spell he used on the dwarf or does he not have time for that.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 
Tuesday September 18th, 2018 9:25:17 PM
[OOC: Did the Catacombs bidding for the party. I'll pay for it if I have the cash...you can thank me later. How are we paying for it if I dont have the cash? Talia needs times cause not everything is instantaneous.Hey it could have been 8 hours....]

Talia, will back whatever play have the unanimous vote.

Bliss | CatBliss (Touch AC27, AC32, HP109) (Cayzle)  d8+1=8 ; d8+1=3 ; d100=33 ;
Tuesday September 18th, 2018 10:22:47 PM

Bliss uses two hours to do his two rituals with Miss Pressi (detailed earlier ... kitty and shared CL12 Shield of Faith for Bliss, warding and shared shield for Pressi).

So that's the two-hour mark for sure.

Bliss does not need to prep spells since he has not cast any lately.

Then Bliss casts his long-duration buff spells: Threefold Aspect and Extended CL10 Barkskin (boosted to level 10 with Surrender Blood. The Surrender costs 10 hp to cast, which Bliss makes up with two taps of his CLW wand.

Then Bliss casts Divination. He seeks advice of whatever sort his Patron and the Powers Above are willing to bestow regarding how to win in the fight against the oncoming Iron Giant. "Please Silver Lady, help us figure out an angle to attack this monster, or maybe some weakness we can use, or whatever help you can offer? Thank you!"

His roll is a 33, so it should work ...

Bliss suggests strongly that the group make a stand about ten minutes' walk out of town. Hopefully if they win, it will not fall on the community.

When the giant comes into sight or hearing range, Bliss plans to cast See Invisibility and CL10 Stoneskin, unless the Divination gives him other ideas. At the last moment, Bliss plans to cast Blink, change into cat form, and hop into the heel as it walks towards the town. Maybe he can open a way from within for his friends to join him, or maybe they will Knock their way in themselves.

Pressi & Harper [SUB BY CAYZLE FOR MELVIN] 
Tuesday September 18th, 2018 10:56:23 PM

Pressi thinks about the Blink option too. She can share one with Harper, and cast one on herself, then both of them can join Bliss in the giant, if that works for him.

Maybe everybody will be infiltrating. After all, what can they possibly do to the monster from the outside? Maybe trip it? How?

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85  d20+27=31 ;
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 1:50:51 AM

[Note: Talia needs two hours of SLEEP before gaining access to spent spell slots - which she already took care of well before we were awakened by Rosco. Not for spell memorization - sorcerers don't really do that, right? Let me know if I've misunderstood this. However, if Pressi & Bliss need that amount of time for rituals, then, well, there you are.]

[Jon-Paul - Murphy and others have contributed a total of 500(Murphy)+100(Pressi)+800(Hobie)=1400gp. Enough for a wand of knock (750gp). Looks like, since our DM ruled that paladin version is largely unavailable, we will have to pass for now on a wand of restoration. Let's take 350 from Murphy, 350 from Hobie, and 50 from Pressi, 750 total, and just have Talia get the wand of knock.
===========

Murphy thanks the small elemental, and wishes them well.

Murphy telecommunicates with Pressi what he learned from the air elementals. "Based upon what the small, helpful air elemental had to say, and how fast it travels (figure hustle speed, about 35 miles round trip, maybe a bit of zig zagging to find it, and that the iron giant likely continued traveling this direction, it is maybe 15 or 16 miles away now. If we wait half an hour longer - I don't know, it might be 10 to 12 miles from us, I surmise. Your mileage may vary.

"As it sounds like others want another 30 minutes, I'll see everyone by the Temple of Flower & Ffloy."

Murphy flies that way. If either cleric is still around by that time, he asks for their prayers, and lets them know he guess as to how far away the giant is, and that he hopes he and his friends can take down the giant before it gets here.

Since he's earlier than some, he flies a little ways northward toward the hills (say 1 mile), at an altitude of maybe 500 feet, to see if he can pick up any sign of a very tall building walking their way.
========
Perception: 31

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 5:41:18 AM
Succotash spends the last hours praying to Pantheon for protection for his friends, and Humble’s Ford. As he is more concerned about them than his own life, he doesn’t even ask on his own behalf, instead he figures if it’s his time, so be it.
He mounts Miss Piggy, and rides to the temple to meet Murphy and the others, and when everyone is ready, he heads out.

DM Carl 
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 11:05:16 AM
Hobie prepares his spells. He asks if folks agree with Pressi's plan.

Kezzem wonders if he has time to prepare spells. With the group taking at least two hours to prepare, he certainly does!

Talia runs by the catacombs.

Bliss and Pressi do their rituals. Bliss doesn't need to prepare spells, but does tick off his long duration ones. He then casts a divination spell, asking his power for advice. The moment his spell is complete his world explodes in pain.

Bliss ONLY, Highlight to display spoiler: {Your eyes snap close. In the darkness, through the pain, you see what can only be the Iron Giant. The dwarf did not do it justice. It towers over 250' tall. It bristles with siege weaponry. Hundreds of embrasures all around its circumference provide total coverage for ranged defenders to engage at any angle. Deep craters are left behind with every step it takes. Bliss notices a white, spongy substance in the back of every footstep its right foot makes. He realizes with a start that it's marshmallow.}

Bliss, will save VS DC20 or be shaken for 1 minute. This is a fear effect.

Pressi ponders blinking inside and wonders if everyone should try and infiltrate the Giant. How do you trip something so massive?

Murphy does some math, figuring it's anywhere between 10 to 16 miles away. He decides to try and get a good view, so he flies up and away. Since The Wold is flat, once Murphy clears any small hills and trees, he is able to see the Giant. From this distance, it's only about a quarter of an inch tall, so it's impossible to see any detail. Through observation, he's able to estimate that it's about 8 miles away, and will reach the town in about 4 hours.

Succotash prays for protection for his friends, then heads out to meet his friends.

In the distance, you start to hear a constant, booming *THUD* spaced at about 10 seconds apart.

***

Two hours have officially passed. I'm fine with not waiting for the catacombs transaction to officially finish before we move on.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 22, HP 72/72, CMD 18 
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 12:44:59 PM
I believe the Scald Clan with mobile iron transport is arriving. First plan of action?

Talia says," I could turn invisible, fly to the heel, "knock" on the door and get inside...what do you think?"

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 12:52:52 PM
ooc: Hobie wanted a couple scrolls of knock so he could cast one and add the other to his spellbook, not a wand. Knock is a level 2 spell, so a wand would cost 4,500gp, not 750.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 12:55:06 PM
ooc: Maybe a couple scrolls of Lesser Resto would be good though

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 1:06:25 PM
To Talia's suggestion Hobie replies "I think those of us who are going inside this thing should probably all approach as a team and attempt to sneak in together. It's too dangerous to send one in alone. Besides, I think unless this thing is magically locked, Zaragosa's incredible skills with a lockpick exceed even your magical prowess"

ooc: Knock doesn't automatically unlock doors, it lets you use your caster level +10 in place of a disable device check, and Zaragosa's disable device is +35, so he's better than a level 20 wizard would be at opening mundane locks.

Bliss (Cayzle) 
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 1:12:57 PM

Bliss does not need to save. He simply shakes and is speechless for a whole minute. That's a long duration in Blisstime.

When he gets a hold of himself, he tells all his friends about his vision. "It is huge! Two hundred and Fifty feet tall! It has lots of arrow holes that people where people can stand and shoot. It's footsteps are like craters ... filled with marshmallow!"

He relates all this and then pauses to think about options.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 1:12:57 PM
GM: While we are waiting for catacombs purchases, can we also have bought 2 scrolls of Invisibility Sphere?

Invisibility Sphere would let the whole Infiltration team approach invisibly without burning a bunch of spells.

Hobie will give 1050 gold to whomever is making the catacombs run, for 2 scrolls of Knock, and 2 scrolls of Invisibility Sphere (if anyone wants to chip in for the scroll of invisibility sphere that we'll use on this mission, the price is 375)

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 1:13:33 PM
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/i/invisibility-sphere/

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells) 
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 2:45:30 PM
Zaragosa fiddles with the goggles on his head. and comments on Hobbie . "I am not sure I can outdo the best of mage, but my skills are at least nothing to scoff at. I look forward to finally being useful. I agree with the plan and am ready to follow orders."

Bliss (Cayzle)  d20+22=37 d20+13=14
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 5:10:39 PM

Bliss is worried about being spotted before they can approach. He suggests that they plot the thing's likely route and dig or make a quick blind. Even just a bramble patch or a couple big trees would do.

Hiding under cover/concealment, we can use Stealth to avoid being seen.

Cast Blink. Change into Cat. Sprint for the giant and Blink into it.

-- If I get in, great. Look for a door to unlock to the outside. Others (message spell) will know that the Blink works, so they can try that, or maybe a Dim Door.

-- If I bounce off, Blink does not work. change back into a halfling, cast Polymorph, change into a little flying thing, fly in through an eye or an arrow slit.

ACTION TAKEN - Bliss walks a half hour out of town towards the monster. he does his best to estimate its path oncoming. He looks for a place to hide ... some sort of natural cover from a tree or bush. Note that any onlookers will likely be looking from above.

Perception 37
Survival 14

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24 
Wednesday September 19th, 2018 8:21:27 PM
"Hey Murph, since you ain't go with the infiltration team, maybe you want to lend that ring to Hobbie? That way I can take some of the heat off our heavy damage dealer and it's not going to do you much good outside or range."

OOC: Kezzem is referring to the Shield Other ring. He figures unless the dwarfs are undead, fiendish, or dragons-in-disguise, he's not going to draw much attention with his daggers.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large Air Elemental  d20+29=43 ; d20+17=24 ;
Thursday September 20th, 2018 4:52:46 AM

"Marshmallow?" Murphy repeats a portion of Bliss's description of the thing.

"With many arrow slits - perhaps I can enter as a tiny bat through one. What do you all think about me getting, say, half a mile from it, up in the air, changing into a tiny bat, then coming at it from the side or back, and trying to enter that way. Maybe Bliss could join me, and we could attempt entry near each other. Then, fly to the heal, see about opening the door from the inside to let you all in?

"I know, blinking, dimension door, those may serve as good entry points, too. Unless there's some sort of anti-magic field surrounding it.

"If I thought we had strong enough rope - better yet, steel cable - to use to try to trip it, I'd suggest giving that a try. Rock to mud - if it happens to step on rock - might work - but, if, as the air elemental explained, and Bliss said its footsteps make craters in the earth, I have my doubts that rock to mud would make much difference.

"So, barring any phenomenal flashes of insight, let's go for entry through its standard access at the heel, and / or infiltration through one of the slits and small openings," Murphy recommends. "By the way, Hobie, great ideas."

"So, Pressi, shall I fly ahead a little ways, and try to coordinate entry with you when it is not too far from where we choose to hide? I can scout ahead right now - Bliss and I should be able to find a suitable spot for the bulk of the party to wait for the iron giant to pass near by. We need a measure of concealment - there are stands of trees and bushes here an there. Let's go now," [I'm assuming we're at the 2 hour mark, and everyone has done what needs doing by way of preparation], I'll find a good spot maybe two miles north of town, and we'll get set. I don't want us to start much closer than two miles, as, once we get aboard the giant, it will likely continued to walk forward before we are able to stop it. Two miles gives us about 15 to 25 minutes to disable or take it over."

He casts longstrider on himself for possible later use if he changes to a walking form.

If all that sounds good, Murphy flies out. Once he is out about a mile from the group, he casts owl's wisdom on himself. Then he seeks to find a good spot of concealment for the group at about the two mile mark, more or less, and telecommunicates with Pressi the best route to it, and the best spot to wait, occasionally off to the side trying to get a rough bead on the incoming giant by flying to the south crest of nearby hills and peeking over. Most of his flight will be fairly low to the ground so as to avoid the gaze of the oncoming one.
==============
Perception: 43
Survival: 24
[If another travels with him, he'll add their survival check +2 to his own]
==============

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 
Thursday September 20th, 2018 5:37:19 AM
After the two hour mark, Succotash is chomping at the bit to get going, and says, “I’m riding towards the thud sounds, if anyone wishes to join me, please do, but I am not waiting any longer!” He then heads out riding Miss Piggy at 40ft per round, unless someone joins him who can’t travel that fast, in which case he will keep pace with the slower travelers. If there is only one person who can’t travel at at least 40ft per round, he will offer them a ride on Miss Piggy.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 
Thursday September 20th, 2018 11:04:12 AM
Pressi's mind boggled as her two tier plan went up in smoke, and as words undermining her plan went up in smoke. "Murphy, I owe you an apology. Getting this team coordinated and sticking to a plan is insanely hard and can drive you nuts. Ok, new rule. Next guy who undermines a plan that's underway gets to be the leader. Bliss, you go first."

The fact that Murphy is far angrier about a catacombs purchase than having his marriage proposal rejected... You know what, we'll get to that.

"In answer to Bliss' question, and apparently my own. the idea of what to do from the outside is indeed a little fuzzy but I figured that the team could slow or stop the machine, trip it, or even reveal itself and drag some troops outside. Depending on the path it is traveling and the spells prepared by Talia and Murphy but I figured it was possible.

"Also, I figured that if a combat ever occurred, even one that the roguelike half of the team could handle, then the infiltration failed. I'm anticipating two man job after two man job while the others wait, and figured a large crowd, even of eight rogues (and I'm assuming we leave pets behind), would have made the mission harder and left most of the team sidelined.

"But look, I'm not married to the idea. If everyone wants to enter at once, or through different entry points, that's fine. Though as pointed out, while blink or gaseous form or polymorph can presumably bypass the back door, not everyone has such abilities. Personally, I haven't heard any information that presumes we need a knock spell. JTT has a ridiculous disable, I can take a crack at it, and there are a couple of others who can buff us, so...."

DM Carl 
Thursday September 20th, 2018 1:14:36 PM
Talia has an idea to get inside.

Hobie suggests those who are going inside stick together.

Bliss relays his vision. He begins to understand what taking the Giant head-on means. He goes on a quick scouting mission to see how easy it will be to hide. Walking 30 minutes out of town, he's easily able to detect it's incoming path. From its height, it can very easily see Humble's Ford. The landscape between the town and the Giant is mostly grassland, but there are trees. He and a few others can turn to animals. A few others can go invisible. The rest of the party can hide from something that tall behind one tree easily enough. Finding a place to remain hidden won't be difficult, but the party will need to be in place before the Giant is within 1 mile, else it will see you approaching.

Zaragosa admits he is no slouch when it comes to breaking and entering.

Kezzem suggests Murphy let them use his ring.

Murphy doesn't seem to have a solid idea on what the significance of marshmallow is, but when is divination obvious? He bats around ideas of sneaking in and opening the heel from the inside, or maybe they could blink in. It would sure help if they knew how the door operated, but there's nothing they can do about that now (is there?). He suggests those who are able to get inside so they can all group up in the Giant's heel. He and Bliss will have no trouble scouting a decent ambush point for the non-sneaky.

Succotash is done waiting. He insists on heading out as well. Your humble DM is not sure how fast Murphy and Bliss are capable of traveling, so he's not sure if Succotash can keep pace.

Pressi decides leading this group is not fun. She nominates the next person to make a plan as leader. She notes some possible holes in her ideas, and won't argue if the rest of the party thinks entering together is a good idea.

***

Current time at beginning of post (not including travel time by Succotash/Bliss/Murphy): 4 hours until Giant reaches Humble's Ford
Giant speed: 2 MPH
Distance from Humble's Ford: 8 miles
Solid estimate at how far away the Giant will spot a non-sneaky halfling: 1 mile

I will leave the rest of the math to you, friends.

To be clear on the subject of cover: just about all of you can hide under a single tree considering they're still leafy. It's a matter of how far away you can get from the town and remain hidden at this point. Cover is the easy part.

I like you how guys are working through this. My write-up of this part of the module is "means of entrance is left to the ingenuity of the players." I was curious to see how you folks would handle this, as there's no perfect answer.

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells) 
Thursday September 20th, 2018 2:11:02 PM
"So what is the plan? are we splitting up? Should the infiltrators get a move on to find a hiding spot?"

(OOC Should I roll my stealth yet or wait?)

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Thursday September 20th, 2018 3:02:34 PM
"So Pressi's plan was for Murphy and the two Paladins to distract this thing while the rest of us snuck in through the feet, is that no longer the plan?"

"Regardless of what we do, I think we should try to stick together under tree cover until we are close enough to make our moves. If you guys will show a little patience, once I'm within 600 feet of this thing I can cast Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, and try to watch/listen to what's going on inside this thing. Maybe tap into their command center so we have an idea of what's going on before we storm in."

"Zaragosa, once we are ready to make our move, if you stick close to me, I can cast Invisibility Sphere and you and anyone else within ten feet of me can sneak to the foot invisibly, where you can try to disable any locks they may have."

Bliss (Cayzle) 
Thursday September 20th, 2018 9:38:09 PM

Bliss says, "I got no way to slow this thing down or attack from the outside. If someone else can, great! We could use a distraction as the rest of us try to sneak inside. Maybe an illusion or a tripline? But it is hard to imagine what could trip that thing. The size bonus alone gives it a nasty CMD."

Bliss is ready to keep on with his plan: Try to Blink in as a kitty. If the Blink fails, polymorph into a diminutive bat and fly in through a hole. Either way, then sneak to the heel and help others get in.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24 
Friday September 21st, 2018 1:10:42 AM
Kezzem turns to the newest arrives. "It would appear that we brave halflings of Humble's Sword are faced with our longtime and unbeatable foe--our inability to agree on a plan."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large Air Elemental 
Friday September 21st, 2018 3:22:53 AM

[ clarification ]
[OOC: "The fact that Murphy is far angrier about a catacombs purchase than having his marriage proposal rejected... You know what, we'll get to that." - Pressi.

In truth, Murphy was/is not angry at all about a Catacombs purchase. *Kim* just realizes that, if a message does not get through the first time on a significant point, it is sometimes necessary to use CAPITAL letters to grab people's attention. There are some times in my life when I have to YELL to gain people's attention (say as a lifeguard), because the ambient noise needs to be overcome. When I do yell in such a situation, for another's safety or well-being, it is not anger at all (unless someone who ought to know better is idiotically recklessly endangering others after having previously been warned about the same thing). It is overcoming the background noise in order to deliver an important message.

AND - Murphy is not angry about Pressi saying she needs more time. Sad? Sure, somewhat. But not angry. Not despondent. He figures she needs exactly what she said - time. He recalls his grandmother's story about the flower with petals still closed. He is patient. Not angry. And, he knows she may decide never to marry (him). Love is a choice. He offers his. She may choose to reciprocate, or not. The choice is real. By the way, noting he is not angry is not denial. It's a simple truth.

Now, both Murphy and Kim are capable of anger. But it is fairly remote from their standard mode of operation. Bold and ALL CAPS are ways to draw attention, or to represent that Murphy is projecting his voice so as to carry to a crowd, or over a long distance. Or, to highlight a fellow character's name, in a non-shouty situation. Or, OOC, again, in hopes that someone will actually read and attend to a message.] :-)
[ / clarification ]

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large Air Elemental 
Friday September 21st, 2018 3:23:29 AM

Backstep - Kezzem's ring to Hobie
At the time Kezzem requested it, Murphy responds: "I could do that, but will have to drop out of my air elemental form. That cuts down slightly on my shape changing options for the day. But I'll do so if you think it's best."

If Kezzem says so, he changes, and says, "Say, Hobie, here is Kezzem's ring of friend shield that allows him to cast through his paired ring a shield other spell. In short, he can take upon himself some of the physical damage you experience, so that you don't end up on the wrong side of the Woldsblood stream too soon." He hands the ring to Hobie.

Present Plans
"Pressi, two teams is a great idea. How about, though, rather than a pure distraction team, we have an innocuous appearing early penetration team through one of the attack openings, and a hidden through-the-heel second team?

"Why? If we hide reasonably well - and if one of the sphere of invisibility spells is used on two or three of us who can fly, and get small, say Bliss and I - anyone else? - maybe we can get in, fly down within, and help open the door.

"With that giant at about 250 tall.. A six-foot-tall person's average step is just shy of three feet, figure that each step of the giant is 120 feet - the same length as the new white spire tower is tall. That is 44 steps a mile over 30 minutes of walking. 88 steps an hour, for two miles. So, each step takes... about 41 seconds, and covers 120 feet. If we get in through a lower opening - maybe around the hips? - how long would it take to get to the bottom of the right leg? Flying, as a couple of tiny bats, maybe not too long, unless there are doors or solid obstacles in the way. Or if dwarfs hate bats, and we're not invisible. Bliss is tons more sneaky than I am.

"Hobie, you cast your clairvoyance when the giant is 600 feet away - that is 5 steps, and the giant is then 3 minutes and 25 seconds away from where you are, about. If some sort of magical shield does not prevent your peeking, then you can tell Pressi, she can tell me, I can bat chirp to Bliss - say, if he and I have a message spell between us, that'll be easy.

"The heel tackle team, whether via Talia's knock spell, and with Jack's high capabilities, should be able to work on getting in from the outside - Bliss and I can assist from the inside - and, we're in.

"After that, we ascend. Figure out things as we go along. Some pretend to be dwarfs. Others - maybe invisible. Bluffing. Knockin' 'em out. Killing, if necessary - they are on their way to destroy our homes and those of our friends, and to kill anyone who has stayed behind. Work up to the control center... we'll figure out something. Maybe we will find an ally within.

"Friends, there are so many variables here - we're guessing somewhat, and new things will show themselves in the midst of it all.

"You are one of the most competent group of people I know. We are good at thinking fast, and responding to changing situations.

"Pressi, Hobie, Bliss, Talia, Jack, Succotash, Kezzem - any thoughts, any suggestions, any betterments to this tweak to Pressi's and Hobie's and Bliss's and all's plans?"

"Let's go forward three miles - that will take those on the ground about 40 minutes. The giant will be out six and 2/3 miles from town by then, so 3 and 2/3 miles from our arrival point. Should we go out two miles, instead? Pressi - you tell us - two or three miles from here? It'll take about 26 minutes for the whole group to get two miles out.

"Get set in a blind. There are various stands of trees between here and the Giant Tower - and the Iron Giant is already south of that. One or two of us can scout ahead - Bliss - you and I? - and let you know if plans need changing, or we learn more."

"Succotash, we all love Miss Piggy," the druid adds, "and riding her out should be fine. Once trying to gain entry, though, and presumably climbing stairs or ladders within, that may not be her best playground. It's for you to decide, but consider the possibility of sending her back before we get too far - or maybe right after we get in."

One last idea he puts forth. "If we tie a whole bunch of strong ropes together, and wrap them multiple times, maybe in a figure eight just below the knees, and can figure a way to tighten them at the right moment, m a y b e we could trip it. As Bliss says, though, long odds against it."

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large Air Elemental 
Friday September 21st, 2018 3:33:02 AM

"Oh, I know, Kezzem. I can give the ring to Hobie about the time I change from air elemental to halfling then to bat, when we're closer. Sound all right?" Murphy asks, posting one more time.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 
Friday September 21st, 2018 5:21:12 AM
Miss Piggy doesn’t seem to like the idea of not getting involved, but she will obey her master. Succotash replies to Murphy, “I’ll have to make that choice when we have a better idea what we are up against, but seriously, LET’S GO!!!” Succotash’s patience is wearing thin, as a halfling of action, he is getting more and more frustrated with the departure delays.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 
Friday September 21st, 2018 10:28:09 AM
Kid's sick so my post is going to be in bits and pieces today.

But I think no matter what, we have to stop discussing and get moving. Probably should have moved this to an email thread instead if the DM wasn't going to let us have a proper discussion but it is what it is.

So Pressi gets on Harper's saddle (speed 50) and rides out. When they get to the designated area (3 miles should work fine), she has Harper start to head back.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Friday September 21st, 2018 1:07:47 PM
Hobie will ride out on Pippa, and once in position, he'll send her back home.

Taking the ring from Murphy, "Wow, thanks Murph, thanks Kez. This is great, hopefully this can keep me up long enough to put arrows in all these jerks."

"Murph I've only got one scroll of Invisibility Sphere (the other was consumed when adding to my spell book), so if we are splitting into two groups, the other group will have to find a way to be concealed."

Fast forwarding to when we are in position, Hobie will use a scroll to cast Flame Arrow on 50 arrows, and He'll cast Shield on himself.

"Friends, I know you are eager to go, but let me see if I can divine what's happening inside this thing before we go rushing in"

When the Giant is within 600 feet Hobie will use a scroll to cast Clairaudience/Clairvoyance. This is basically like I'm magically sticking a camera with a microphone into the head of the giant which I can see and listen to. (Hobie will place the sensor inside the head of the giant, unless there is a more obvious cockpit once he's in view of it)

Then based on what Hobie see/hears, a knew plan can be formed, but most likely, JUST before any action is taken, Hobie will pull out another scroll and ask all his friends to come within 30 feet and he'll cast Haste on his whole party.

===============
Boots of Speed
Rounds Used 0/10

Elemental Arrow: Electricity
===============
Prepared Spells
Bonded Item Free Spell

Level 0
Light, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Message

Level 1
Grease, Obscuring Mist, True Strike, Feather Fall

Level 2
Invisibility, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Alter Self

Level 3
Fly, Haste, Slow

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24 
Friday September 21st, 2018 1:52:41 PM
"That's fine, Murph, just don't get stuck in air elemental form like Alleah did," says Kezzem.

"Well, my plan is to enter through the heel, find the pilots, and enter aggressive negotiations. There like regular negotiations, but with daggers."

DM Carl  d20=14 ;
Friday September 21st, 2018 4:07:27 PM
Zaragosa is still not 100% on the plan, but that's ok. Your humble narrator isn't either.

Hobie thinks they should stick together until they make their move. He can help himself and a few others go invisible if they stay close.

Bliss has a plan: sneak in, help the others from the inside. Seems simple enough.

Kezzem is obviously back to his old self.

Pressi agrees it's time to move, so she does.

OOC: Melvin, this scene was written to give you guys time to plan and discuss handling the Giant. I specifically said this part was up to you, and nothing would happen until you explicitly stated something was happening. Your complaint is unwarranted.

Murphy does some math. He makes a pretty big assumption about the giant's stride. That's not to say it's a bad assumption. If his math is right, and it usually is, that's plenty of time to get the heel door open and inside. He acknowledges it's the best they can do since they're missing more intel. He recommends intercepting the Giant 3 miles out. That will give Humble's Sword a good 90 minutes before it starts attacking the town.

Succotash thinks this show better get on the road, but agrees that Miss Piggy should probably stay back.

***

The plan, as I understand it: Ride three miles out, hide, wait for the Giant. The Giant will be about 90 minutes from your hiding spot when you arrive. If that's correct, great. If you want to get closer to the Giant and further from town, you have time. Since you've come to an agreement on the course of action and have specifically said you're leaving, I'll move this along. If you decide you'd rather ride further out, please say so by the next post. Discuss it over email if you choose.

***

Humble's Sword rushes towards the Giant, moving quickly to get into a position to infiltrate the thing. Not long after the party leaves, the Giant's head starts peeking above the trees and hilltops. The ever-present *THUMP* of its footsteps grows ever louder. The steps, incidentally, are about 20 seconds apart. The Giant's stride must be shorter than Murphy expected.

By the time the party arrives at what would make an adequate hiding spot, most of the Giant is visible. The dwarf did not prepare you for the sight. Towering into the sky, far taller than the tallest building in the Crescent Valley, the gargantuan humanoid is constructed of dark gray metal. Its fists are plated with adamantine, and fiery glow comes from its eye slits. On the back of each hand is an enormous gem that glows blue with intense magical power. Just like the dwarf said, ballistae and trebuchets are arrayed across its broad shoulders. Embrasures dot the entire circumference of it as well.

Perception, DC 25, Highlight to display spoiler: {Shadows pass in front of the embrasures from time to time. Many of them are obviously manned, but it's impossible to be certain how many.}

The Giant's legs are about 120' high, each foot about 20' of that. There are 4 embrasures on each "calf" area. The Giant's right leg will pass within 70' of the party's hiding spot.

Hobie attempts to get an ear into the Giant's head. Clairaudience-Clairvoyance isn't affixed to something, however. It creates a sensor that does not move, and the head is a moving target. You find you're unable to make the sensor appear inside the head's current location. You can cast it out in front and let the head run into it. If you'd rather do that, let me know and I'll throw up a description of what you see over the weekend.

It looks like the Giant's exterior is impervious to magic. Hobie is able to cast the rest of his preparatory spells as outlined.

***

Great job, everyone. Infiltration officially starts next week. I'm awarding 6K XP for roleplay and planning.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  d20+19=38 ;
Friday September 21st, 2018 8:38:09 PM
(OOC: My apologies. My complaint was towards a narrower issue but I don't feel like getting into it.)

"Who can fly and be small inside the sphere with you and Bliss?" Pressi answered. "Well, me, but I assume you want me on the ground. Talia can probably do it; she is the transmutation specialist. Otherwise, I can zap someone like Succotash with polymorph."

It had been a long ride as they moved closer and closer to... well, the towering warhorse doesn't do it justice. "Ok, I'm going to need the team's full cooperation for this point forward. We need a 'they're compensating' joke and we only get one shot, so lets make it count, people."

Almost as good as Hobie's clairvoyance is... well, she gets a round by round ability through her god, but her normal eyes can almost see for miles themselves (Perception 38). "I can see the shadows passing through embrassures. Hard to tell how many are manned, but we might be able to slip the flying team in one of the non-shadowed ones." (One possible way: someone blasts detect thoughts.)

"In all fairness to the naysayers, I really hoped for a better environment. A mix of soften earth, obscure mists and an entanglement would still slow it down. Barring that... it gets within 70 feet and then leaves in three rounds. So we need some speed to get there and then maybe a round or two to unlock. Any ideas?"

(i.e. Pressi's foot speed is 30 so she can double move one round and has two rounds to do stuff.)

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 
Saturday September 22nd, 2018 6:30:46 AM
Succotash says, “ So we have the sneaky ones entering from the heal, with Jack using his most excellent entry skills, and another group turning into small flyers entering through an arrow slit, I like this plan, if Pressi can turn me into a small flyer, just long enough for the entry, it just might work, as long as I get turned back right away so I can fight that is”.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Saturday September 22nd, 2018 7:19:55 AM
ooc: So Hobie will put the sensor ahead of it like you described. If it's footsteps are 20 seconds apart, I should at least be able to see inside for 5 or 6 seconds right?

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Saturday September 22nd, 2018 7:27:28 AM
GM- Does anything appear like a cockpit? Like does the head look like a place where those guiding it might be watching from? Is there any other place, like maybe the chest, that looks like the spot where it is piloted from?

Bliss (Cayzle) 
Saturday September 22nd, 2018 12:20:07 PM
Bliss notes that he could turn someone else into a tiny flyer, like a hawk or an owl or such.

He is willing to let someone else fly in as a tiny bird, while he Blinks in. If the Blink fails, then he can enter either scale the monster and squeeze in a hole as a kitty, or enter with the group at the heel.

He's thinking he should maybe swap his boots of acrobatics for boots of spider climbing. Except he left them back home. I mean, at the store. In his imagination.

Bliss thinks hard about his vision. How high up was the first level of fortifications and arrow slits? What was the surface of the iron monster like? What would be the DC to climb it?

For that matter, what is the DC to slip through an arrow slit for a tiny creature?

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells)  d20+7=14 ;
Saturday September 22nd, 2018 8:12:06 PM
Only 14 on perception

Zaragosa was glad the team seemed to want to use his skills. He informs them that he has a ring to help him stealth and boots of speed to help him run faster.

He waits for orders.

Murphy Leafwin Pipewood Druid 11 (Kim) HP 85/85 Large Air Elemental 
Sunday September 23rd, 2018 11:50:24 PM

"Shoot, Hobie," Murphy says. "Did you actually find time to write that scroll into your spellbook just now, in the last few minutes since we got the scrolls then headed for these trees? You don't happen to have invisibility memorized, do you? I think one key to us bats getting inside reasonably safely is if we're invisible, too.

"Talia, can you make me and Bliss invisible? Or, maybe, one of us? Bliss is pretty good at sneaking around - but not me.

"If either Hobie can make both of us invisible - which has the advantage that he and I will be able to see each other, but it's really tough for others to see us. Or even, not to be selfish, but, if one of you two can render me invisible, that should up the odds of inside spying significantly. I can be a tiny, invisible bat, until at the door, change to something big and invisible, and operate the mechanism from inside.

"That way, we have the outside opening experts, like Zaragosa here, working that side. And me, not quite the expert but, shoot, it should be easier from within. That ups the group odds a fair bit.

"If someone near the heel wants to attack us, Bliss and I can work on fending them off, giving you all a chance to get inside."

Murphy is in his halfling form now, and was able (as earlier described, but just in the last few minutes accomplished) able to give Hobie the ring from Kezzem). He is about to switch to a tiny bat.

Talia (by Kim for J.P.) 
Sunday September 23rd, 2018 11:54:31 PM

Talia says, "Well, I can cast invisibility on one of you. Bliss, is it all right if I cast it in Murphy? He does kind of stick out a lot more than you do when you're being sneaky." If Bliss does not object, then just before Murphy flies away as a bat, she will cast it on him. She waits until he tells her he is ready.

"Otherwise, though, I'll stay here and do what I can to help the outside team get inside. Unless, Pressi, you want me to do something else. I could read the knock scroll if you need that help."

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 
Monday September 24th, 2018 5:34:23 AM
“So, what’s my role in this?” Succotash asks, “I’m only slightly better at stealth than a walrus, so entering at the heel is probably a no go, Pressi had mentioned she could turn me into a bat or some other tiny flyer, and Bliss said he could do likewise, but now Murphy is talking about flying in with Bliss as a duo, so now I’m confused as to where you want me, as the teams tank, I’m pretty good in a fight, but subterfuge and stealth aren’t my strongest assets, I could stay outside and hack away at the thing with Twinklesting, but that would be about as useful as a screen door on an Apparatus of the Crab”.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 
Monday September 24th, 2018 11:19:57 AM
"Assuming that nobody can turn Succotash invisible," Pressi begins, "there are options, including taking your chances as a visible bat or bug. These guys strike me as overconfident, not expecting an attack between here and their destination, and expecting any attack to be a frontal assault. Though I am making a psychological guess.

"I do think that Hobie has the scroll, he was inscribing while we did our rituals, but if not he should have his ring or the spell on hand. I'll try to think of invisible creatures, too..."

"Down, I will personally try to use HiPS, though I won't be fully stealthy if I am moving full speed. Their perception from down here should be pretty low given distance and the forest cover, so stealth shouldn't be too much of an issue. But I can cover people with obscure mist, ghost sound - or maybe mind fog. That drops their perception flat but isn't detectable (by normal senses) as an out of the ordinary event."

"Guys, I know we are dealing with a lot of unknowns, but we also have a lot of power and options, even if spotted or magically detected. And this team, above all, has proven time and again to be flexible even in the face of ambush, mind control, or invisible creatures. We're the good guys, the risk takers, the guys who faced worse challenges than this while everyone laughed at us. Whatever happens between now and when we face the leaders, never forget they're the ones fighting us. It may be their machine, but it's our terrain."

She turns to Murphy, speaking to him for what might be the first time in a while. "See you on the other side."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 23 Touch 16 Flat 19 CMD 28 Hero Points 6  
Monday September 24th, 2018 12:39:12 PM
"I can cast regular invisibility on someone else, I have prepared it this morning. Also, Succotash, if you wanted to come with us to the heel, we will be traveling in my Invisibility Sphere, which will make us all invisible. I don't imagine the noisiness of your armor will be much of an issue considering how much noise this thing is already making, and if they can see invisible creatures, well then they could already see the rest of us."

"Pressi don't worry too much about speed, remember I'm gonna cast Haste on all of us as soon as we are ready to go. Plus if you wanted to stay invisible, you'll need to stay within 10 feet of me."

===============
Wearing Kezzem's Ring of Shield Other

Boots of Speed
Rounds Used 0/10

Elemental Arrow: Electricity
===============
Prepared Spells
Bonded Item Free Spell

Level 0
Light, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Message

Level 1
Grease, Obscuring Mist, True Strike, Feather Fall

Level 2
Invisibility, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Alter Self

Level 3
Fly, Haste, Slow

DM Carl 
Monday September 24th, 2018 12:40:43 PM
Hobie creates a magical sensor high in the air in front of the Giant's path. From this vantage point, the Giant's "face" is just a series of two large circles for eyes and a barred rectangle where the mouth is supposed to be. The orifices appear to be open, and Hobie's able to see through them into the interior. Through the eyes is a mass of interlocking gears, chains, and pipes. Even from outside, you can hear the grinding, clinking, and hissing of the giant machine. The mouth seems to lead to a separate room, this one much smaller. In the middle is a slightly raised platform, and standing on said platform is an imposing, stone-faced dwarf. He appears to be middle aged, with jet black hair and only a few wrinkles around the eyes. He is clad in an exceptionally imposing set of full plate armor. Around his hands and feet are small pink orbs. It doesn't take much deduction to realize their movements mirror the Giant's.

Hobie has just a few moments to take this in before his sensor makes contact with the exterior of the Giant and instantly vanishes.

Succotash is willing to be shape-changed and head inside, but needs to be sure he can be changed back quickly.

Bliss ponders ways inside. He's still keen on blinking inside if possible. He ponders climbing. The exterior of the Giant isn't particularly smooth, and does provide handholds for climbing, but the legs do come down with some force. It would be exceedingly difficult to climb while it was in motion.

OOC: DC 35 climb check while in motion, with checks every 10 feet.

The first embrasures are in what would be the calves of the Giant, about 40-50 feet up. Slipping through an arrow slit would not be a challenge for any creature small enough to fit, though a non-flying one would have to climb up first.

Zaragosa waits for orders, hopeful that his skills will come in handy.

Murphy takes stock of the party's invisibility means. He proposes he and Bliss enter, and requests an invisibility spell since he's not nearly as sneaky as Bliss.

Talia is able to make Murphy invisible, and will do so unless anyone speaks up real quick.

Succotash isn't sure of his place in this. He's not sneaky.

Pressi believes her opponents to be overconfident. She reminds her companions they're more than capable of fighting if stealth fails. Still, she has options open.

Hobie declares that with his haste and invisibility sphere, approaching on the ground won't be difficult.

***

A semblance of a plan comes together. The Giant is quickly approaching from the north. The time to act is approaching, otherwise Humble's Sword will end up chasing after it.

OOC: You would have had time to plan this out before the Giant was right on top of you, so if you guys need another day to make a plan come together, I'm ok with it. I'd encourage you guys to work it out over email if you're not already. Wednesday's gonna be the cut-off, though. If you don't take any actions after my post tomorrow, the Giant will officially walk on by.

edit: Nick posted as I did, so I added his actions.

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells) 
Monday September 24th, 2018 9:16:28 PM
(sorry mates, I seem rather lost at what to post)

Bliss (Cayzle) 
Monday September 24th, 2018 11:01:43 PM
Bliss breaks it down.

From the hidey spot, we wait until it approaches. Bliss and other mages who can will use Message on everybody. But it will be hard for Bliss to relay messages while in some beast shape.

Pressi casts her Haste. Pressi casts Polymorph on VOLUNTEER 1. Bliss casts Polymorph on a VOLUNTEER 2 -- tiny hawk form. Bliss casts Blink on himself.

As the monster gets within 90 ft, Bliss runs as a kitty to the monster and tries to Blink in.

If that fails, Bliss changes into a halfling, Beast Shape 1 into an eagle, flies up to a lower arrow slot, perches -- can a small eagle fit through? Prolly not. Odds are, Bliss changes back to a kitty, and squeezes in with a good escape artist check. This is sub-optimal and a lot could go wrong -- hopefully the Blink works!

Murphy and VOLUNTEERS fly to the monster and enter, either through a low arrow slit -- to then descend to the heel and then to open the way for the group, or up to the Operator to attack him and stop the monster from walking.

Pressi, Jack, Talia, Succotash, Kezzem, and Hobie [minus whoever are the Poly VOLUNTEERS] approach the heel with Haste and Invisibility Sphere. MAYBE this group can get in on their own. MAYBE they have to keep pace with the monster while a mate inside gets down here to open the way.

Bliss fears an antimagic effect that ends all polys and other effects as soon as you enter. He prays to the Silver Lady that he will not be stuck in an arrow slit, half in and half out.

"That's the plan, I think?" asks Bliss.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24 
Monday September 24th, 2018 11:42:14 PM
"I volunteer for tribute!" says Kezzem. "I mean polymorph. I'd have a hell of a time keeping pace without Rumpus, and I would rather keep him away from getting crushed by a giant iron boot."

Talia (by Kim for J.P.) 
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 4:07:12 AM
Talia reads - not out loud, not so as to activate it - yet nevertheless reads the knock spell, to acquaint herself with the casting of it for the very near future.

"Does anyone need a stoneskin spell? I can cast two. It lasts 110 minutes, and tends to soften blows substantially." (DR10/adamantine)

Talia (by Kim for J.P.) 
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 4:37:30 AM
"A concern - similar to what Bliss expressed: If we enter by means other than the heel door, will there be a dispel magic effect as we pass through, thereby possibly stripping us of some of the spells just cast upon us?

"What does that marshmallow heel thing taste like? Is it some sort of exhaust system?"

Leading up to the haste spell...
Murphy casts on self
freedom of movement

barkskin
owl's wisdom
stoneskin
Wild shape to tiny bat
Receive Haste from... Hobie?

Fly with Bliss & any others to the lower openings in the leg, fly on through one of them, hopefully avoiding bumping into someone's nose.

Murphy druid 11a --> tiny bat 
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 4:39:43 AM

"A concern - similar to what Bliss expressed: If we enter by means other than the heel door, will there be a dispel magic effect as we pass through, thereby possibly stripping us of some of the spells just cast upon us?

"What does that marshmallow heel thing taste like? Is it some sort of exhaust system?

Murphy on self
freedom of movement

barkskin
owl's wisdom
stoneskin
Wild shape to tiny bat
Receive Haste from... Hobie?

Fly to the lower openings in the leg, fly on through one of them, hopefully avoiding bumping into someone's nose.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 5:09:17 AM
Succotash considers for a moment the whole anti magic field thing and then says, “Well, maybe we should all just enter through the heel using Hobie’s invisibility sphere for cover, seems pretty silly to polymorph and fly 50ft in the air, only to come crashing down in the form of a Halfling”. “I volunteer to stand beside Zaragosa, and charge in once the door is open”.

DM Carl 
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 1:22:01 PM
The plan is mostly finalized, but Succotash isn't sure they shouldn't just throw it all out the window and move in together.

Time's just about up, though: the Giant is upon you. Whatever plan is being put into action will have to be executed now.

***

If you guys absolutely need more time to talk about this, that's fine, but you'll need to ask for it. Otherwise, your next post needs to include what actions you're actually taking.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 27 Touch 17 Flat 23 CMD 29 Hero Points 6  
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 1:46:54 PM
"Talia, If you are just offering, I would not say no to Stoneskin"
========

"Ok guys, it's go time! Get near me!"

Hobie will give everyone a chance to get within ten feet of him, and then he will cast Invisibility Sphere from his scroll.

"You must stay within ten feet of me or you will become visible, and PLEASE, no one can attack anything until it is ABSOLUTELY necessary, or you will become visible. Let's go!!"

He will then move at 80 feet per round (double moving, 20 feet halfling speed plus 20 feet from Haste which he previously cast on everyone)

===============
Rounds of Haste used 2 of 5 (one round casting invisibility sphere, one round double moving)
===============
Boots of Speed
Rounds Used 0/10

Elemental Arrow: Electricity

Fire Arrows Used 0/50

Kezzem's Ring of Shield Other (+1 AC, +1 Saves, Kezzem takes half damage)

Shield (+4 Shield Bonus)
===============
Prepared Spells
Bonded Item Free Spell

Level 0
Light, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Message

Level 1
Grease, Obscuring Mist, True Strike, Feather Fall

Level 2
Invisibility, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Alter Self

Level 3
Fly, Haste, Slow

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 27 Touch 17 Flat 23 CMD 29 Hero Points 6  
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 1:47:50 PM
(He is moving toward the heel, I forgot to mention that)

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 94, CMD 21; Harper-AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23 
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 9:34:51 PM

Pressi shakes her head. "You know what, Bliss. You do you, but I trust that its easier to get through the gaps, antimagic field or no, than through some random section of potentially shielded and potentially crowded leg by yourself. If you change your mind, you can join either team."

Pressi continues to push for the two teams. But either way, she knows that Succotash's speed is a problem, so she hits him with Polymorph. (His choice. He can become a small bird or a small air elemental, but both forms have a fast fly speed and are harder to spot.) She then hits a nearby area with obscure mist underneath the tree line (where fog might be) so that some cover might occur even if the invisibility fails.

Pressi then moves towards Hobie, giving him and JTT a thumbs up. She shifts to crone form, charges up her spell capacity (surrender blood) and prepares for the inevitable.

-------------

Harper status: heading away back to town

Pressi status:

Ritual of Warding
Shared Spell: Shield of Faith (Bliss, Pressi only)(extended?)(Pressi casts surrender blood)
crone form
surrender blood

Spells Used:
L1: 2/7+1
L2: 0/5+1
L3: 0/4+1
L4: 2/3+1
L5: 0/2+1

Tatoos:

L1: 1

Bliss (Cayzle) 
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 9:36:15 PM
Bliss has already cast a few prep spells, like Barkskin. He casts his Polymorph on Sir Kezzem to turn him into a tiny bird, such as a falcon. Then Blink on himself and then sprinting as soon as he is hasted.

The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jack) (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 22 HP 41) (full spells) 
Tuesday September 25th, 2018 10:37:39 PM
Zaragosa agrees with Bliss's plan but does not want to be one of the volunteers since he thinks his skills will come in handy with the ground troop.

Zaragosa gives the thumbs up to Pressi a cheerful thumbs up then walks to Succotash. "You'll be fine in your new form, you usually do a lot well so your time to do some righteous fighting!"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, touch AC 17; HP 119/119, CMD 24 
Wednesday September 26th, 2018 1:29:43 AM
Kezzem admires his new form, then wonders if he can use his Smite Evil with bird droppings.

Murphy druid 11a (Kim) --> tiny bat  d20+29=31 ;
Wednesday September 26th, 2018 3:46:12 AM

"Hobie - you mentioned two or three times you were going to cast haste upon us all. Will you? Would help us all."

"Falcon Succotash, you can chase me, the invisible bat - if you can figure out where I am."

"Pressi, see you on the other side."

As earlier stated: Cast on self leading up to the call to action: Freedom of movement, barkskin, owl's wisdom, stoneskin. He wild shapes into a bat.
Talia casts invisibility on him. "Thank you," he tells her in a squeaky bat voice.

Receive Haste from... Hobie? (Hobie had twice mentioned he was going to cast it on the group, and Murphy had rather been counting on that promise. Gives us all a leg up on our initial actions. Bat-Murph gives some little squeaks to let Hobie know where he is for the casting of the spell.) <-- If that spell is cast, he thanks Hobie.

Right after the (theorectical?) haste spell from Hobie, Murphy flies toward one of the lower openings along the leg, looking for one of the openings with no obvious shadow right in front of it, and anticipating dodging one direction or another based upon what he perceives upon entry [Perception: 31].

Looking about to see if Succotash is nearby, and maybe where Bliss might be, he flies within.

Talia (by Kim for J.P.) 
Wednesday September 26th, 2018 4:00:02 AM
Talia casts stoneskin on Hobie as requested. One more person can place a dibs on that spell, too. Then invisibility on Murphy. She casts flight upon herself.

Then receives haste from Hobie, if that is cast. Then invisibility 10' radius. She endeavors to stay within about 5 feet of Hobie as they race toward the anticipated landing spot of the right heel, her eyes following the swiftly approaching immense boot with a measure of anxiety. She does make certain she is far enough away to avoid crushing by the boot, flying, keeps herself a few feet above the ground, momentarily holding her breath, to steel herself from the strong impact the lowest extremity is sure to have as it lands and sinks in a few feet into the earth.

She is prepared to read the scroll with the knock spell scribed upon it should that prove necessary - waiting a beat or so for Jack to do what he can, but not waiting too long.

Succotash and Miss Piggy (Jeremy) AC26/touch13/flat25 CMD26 - HP 102/102, Piggy AC27/touch11/flat26 CMD23 - HP 87/87 DR 5/evil, Acid, Cold, electricity 5 
Wednesday September 26th, 2018 5:31:34 AM
Succotash now in the form of a falcon, shrugs his shoulders and figures the die is cast, he’s going to fly with Murphy. He hopes for two things, first that the polymorph isn’t dispelled, upon making contact with the Iron Giant, and second, that he can turn back to a halfling in time to fight, as he immediately feels inapt in this new body. He flies up towards the closest arrow slit, hoping the now invisible Murphy is beside him, and tries to dive through the arrow slit.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 27 Touch 17 Flat 23 CMD 29 Hero Points 6  
Wednesday September 26th, 2018 6:24:21 AM
As previously mentioned, Hobie cast Haste one round prior to casting invisibility sphere

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 86/86 AC 27 Touch 17 Flat 23 CMD 29 Hero Points 6  
Wednesday September 26th, 2018 6:25:31 AM
Upon reaching the foot Hobie says “Do your thing Zaragosa!”

Bliss (Cayzle) 
Wednesday September 26th, 2018 1:13:28 PM
Bliss would love a Stone Skin if no one else speaks up!

DM Carl  d100=54 ; d20+8=22 ;
Wednesday September 26th, 2018 2:21:03 PM
Talia doles out stoneskin spells to Bliss and Hobie. Then, Humble's Sword leaps into action as the Giant's right foot crashes into the ground 70' away.

Hobie prepares the ground crew with haste and invisibility sphere spells. Hobie, Zaragosa, Pressi, and Talia all rush forward. Zaragosa takes point, ready to move fast to break into the door that's supposedly in the Giant's heel. The door blends into the heel pretty well; one could easily miss it if they didn't know it was there. Zaragosa looks for a keyhole, or some other device to break into. All he sees, however, is an unassuming iron handle. Giving it a tug, he finds a massive door that swings easily upwards, despite its massive size. Both sides of the door are attached to large cylinders. Smaller cylinders protrude from each and assist in lifting. From there, it's easy enough to jump on in. With ~2 rounds to open the door and head inside, everyone is able to get in. At the twenty second mark, the foot hesitates a moment before lifting. The door gently swings downwards and closes. Immediately, the foot lifts and the Giant continues along.

Meanwhile...

Bliss tears away towards the Giant, hoping his blink spell will allow him entry. Despite his best efforts, he makes contact with the Giant's exterior (gave you a 50/50 chance of just blinking through it). He's no doubt relieved to find all his spells are not ripped from him. Once he blinks out again, he's easily able to bypass the wall, also finding himself in the Giant's foot.

Meanwhile...

Murphy, Succotash, and Kezzem all find themselves hasted and in the form of small birds/flying mammals; some are invisible, some aren't. The embrasures around the Giant's calf are large enough for everyone in their current non-halfling form, and flying inside them is done easily enough.

...and just like that, Humble's Sword has infiltrated the Iron Giant. The interior of the giant is like something out of a mad wizard’s workshop. A soft yellow glow suffuses everything, pulsating slightly. A magic hum drones in the background, and the air feels slightly electric. Sparking gold tracery runs in 90-degree angles around the ceiling, floor, and walls. Strange protrusions, polished stones, and glowing gems dot the walls, seemingly at random. Several rectangular metal plates on the wall slide up and down, in time to the giant’s movements. As the Giant lifts its foot into the air, your stomachs are left behind and footing becomes unsteady. As close to the ground (or flying above it) as you all are, it won't present much of an issue when you're moving around, but it will probably cause issues during combat.

Hobie, Zaragosa, Pressi, and Talia, Highlight to display spoiler: {You stand in what is obviously just an entry way. The room is roughly 10'x 20'. A large iron door is in the far wall.}

Bliss, Highlight to display spoiler: {You find yourself in a fairly large room. Strange arcane gadgetry is scattered about, including a glowing, blue glass sphere on a pedestal and a glowing yellow circle in the middle of the floor. This glowing circle is directly below a similar hole in the ceiling, which is ringed with glowing yellow. On the wall is a large symbol in bronze: a massive hammer striking an anvil. Also in this room in an iron chair, apparently bolted to the far wall. A dwarf sits in this chair, clad in simple, but sturdy looking plate armor. A small gear on the dwarf's shoulder spins slowly. He is obviously very motion sick. Still, he takes his duty seriously and keeps a keen eye on the room. (Dwarf's perception roll is 22, roll stealth if you're wanting to remain hidden). An iron door is in the wall opposite the chair, and is obviously where your friends will be coming from.}

Murphy, Succotash, and Kezzem, Highlight to display spoiler: {You find yourselves in a tall, cylindrical room must occupy the giant’s lower leg. It is filled with junk: shaped pieces of metal, springs and gears of all sizes, flakes of sparkling gold, broken weapons, chunks of rock, bits of coal, and similar objects. A 5-foot-high lip around the large hole in the center presumably keeps pieces from tumbling into the foot. A similar hole gapes in the ceiling directly above — perhaps 50 feet. There's also a small hatch in the wall about 30' up.

A construct moves around the room. It looks like a cross between a caterpillar and a spider and is composed of blemished and dented steel. A mess of mechanical arms protrudes from a hatch on the construct’s back; a glowing red gem is perched in front of these arms. The arms end in various tools, including grippers, hammers, and trowels. As you watch, one arm grabs a shattered gear and brings it near the construct’s “face.” It seems to consider the item, then the arm places it neatly in a pile and the construct moves on. Looking down the hole will give you the same view Bliss has.}

***

Everyone gets 4k XP for infiltrating the Giant without drawing attention to yourselves. The Giant is 3 miles out from Humble's Ford, and will arrive in about 90 minutes.

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