I did not expect that. But there ya go! Not a cheap or easy victory at all, well fought and well earned.
Stripped of might, the giant has no magic resistance. He still has that huge soak bonus, but Antonio knows a way around that. Since Penetration is now not a problem, he will use his Perdo Corpus spell "Killer of Giants" (named after an Ozzy song off of the album "The Ultimate Sin"); and Kriegar's heart pops like a squeezed grape. The giant totters then falls over dead. The storm ogres are quickly mopped up.
(OOC: I myself have seen botches with huge quantities of vis such as this. One character rolled a 0 while using 30 pawns, and after all was said and done I only wound up with four botches.)
Titus moves quickly to secure the ring around Kriegar's finger before turning to face Antonio, a giant grin plastered on his face "So how was that?"
OOC: Yeah I was sitting here fuming trying to figure out how I was going to deal with it. Then I remembered that Titus had Vis... and well, you see the result! Couple of things that I have questions about: Vis totals at the end of this? House Renown points totals? 1xp per 5 might of the creature right?
At home, I'll calculate how much experience and Renown you gain and Auram vis gained from dead storm ogres.
But you obtain the ring from the dead giant's finger, and it magically shrinks to fit your own size. On the inside, it is engraved with three runes. Titus doesn't read runes, does he?
Not one to trust magic he knows nothing about, Titus immediately removes the ring from his finger and stows it in a bag on his belt. Turning his attention to the Giant now dead at his feet, Titus draws his sword and proceeds to remove the head from the corpse. "I find nothing works quite as well as the head of their former leader to deter Giants and Ogres. Is there a place that you would care to display this Archmagus?" he says, holding up the severed head.
No he doesn't. However Titus is very intent on finding someone who does... Road Trip anyone? Also, one of Titus' men will remove a finger from the Giant and stash it for later use.
You feel that the magic ring is a very rewarding prize that you have well earned.
As for the severed head, Antonio does not think it would be aesthetically pleasing to put on display.
[color=red]Right now we need to worry about cleaning up this mess, rebuilding and repairing the damage to the villiage, healing who we can and making what reparations we can to the families of those who don't make it.
When the other magi return, I am throwing a huge feast. And for your exceptional display of valor, I would like to extend you a formal invitation to join my covenant. We could use more men like you around here.
"I would be honored to accept your invitation Archmagus." Titus says, bowing. Surveying the destruction all around he is quick to volunteer his aid "My men and I will gladly assist in the recovery in any way possible."
Despite Antonio turning it down, Titus keeps the Giant's head knowing it's potential value in certain types of magic. As Titus moves from corpse to corpse, recovering Vis, his men get to work burning the bodies of the slain monsters.
Oh Lord... Marko just gave Titus the One Ring When Titus starts mumbling about his precious and runs around in nothing but a loin cloth... Thank you Marko, for that amazing image to start my morning with! Thankfully Titus has no intent of using Rune Magic, especially since he doesn't understand it. Oh and to make things easier with your calculations Marko, here's a list of what we've fought ( Mind you, not all of it was killed )
There are more magic rings than just this one out there in the world
The runes indicate that it was either crafted by a Vitkir or a Verditius magus with the Elder Runes mystery. Perhaps Himnis the mad? Muahahahaha!!!
(OOC: I have seen the LotR movies and the cartoons from the 70's. However, I have never successfully red the books because I find them so painfully boring. I have attacked the first book at least three times, and fall asleep somewhere between the 500 pages of rolling green hills and Tom Bombadillo. And the giant eagles that rescue Frodo and his buddy at the end. Why didn't they just fly there on these birds in the first place? It would have saved two books of boredom and thousands of lives that perished in battle.)
Anyways, Antonio is laying claim to the vis gained from the Storm Ogres. Andorras vis stocks are actually running frightfully low. He will give you a rook of any Art you desire as a reward though.
As for your earlier encounter, no vis is gained from the giants because they were might stripped. But you gain a dozen pawns of Animal and two dozen Corpus that you get to keep for yourself.
And I grant you 30 points for House acclaim.
As for adventure experience, it was short but intense. 10xp to be applied to whatever Arts and Abilities that you have used in this encounter.
Titus refuses the reward, stating "I was more than happy to come to the aid of my sodales, regardless of the cost. I need no reward, please keep the vis and use it in the recovery efforts."
OOC: The end results of said XP: Titus' House acclaim increases by 30xp to 60xp and a score of 4. As for the 10xp, it realistically should be Perdo since that's the Art he used the entire time, so 10xp to make his Perdo 220xp.
I never said the ring was cursed.
However, it is rather attractive and you instinctively consider it to be your ring. You gain the Personality Trait of "Desire for Ring", starting at a score of 1.
Haha I'm just teasing you Marko. I'll make the appropriate changes to Titus' character sheet. I take it this is the same thing as the Verditius items? The exact name escapes me at the moment, but the ones that they can make like a Talisman and the new owner gains a Covet (Item) score.
Hey Boss, if it works exactly like the Verditius Item Attunement, then he shouldn't start getting his Covet Score until 5 seasons from now. 1xp towards it per season, advances like an ability. So he can start muttering 'My precious...' and what have you 5 seasons from now!
Oh I'm aware that its Rune Magic, I'm just asking rules wise, you said it worked like a Verditius Item Attunement, what with the covet score and all that. Is it exactly the same or what? Because if it uses the same rules, then Titus wouldn't get a personality score until 5 seasons from now as he gains 1xp a season in said trait. However if you're using a different set of rules...
And so I've gathered! You speak blasphemy good sir!
I also did not compare the effect to a Covet score. That was a conclusion you drew.
Your feelings for the ring stem from the fact that it is your deserved reward for triumphing in combat, a treasure hard won and justly yours.
As for my not being a fan of LotR...
I know, my opinion is at odds with the vast majority of gamers. But my own tastes in fantasy run along the lines of Robert Howard and Michael Moorcock. I am also more of a comic/sci-fi buff than fantasy. I do love history though, and I have extensively read actual historic myths and legends (The Prose Edda, Tales of the Arabian Nights, etceteras). Most 20th century stuff just doesn't do it for me. Especially since most 2oth century fantasy literature is actually a vehicle for very modern philosophy and issues. LotR was all about WWII. A lot of fantasy literature has the theme of the dwindling supplies of magical resources (energy crisis). Others hit upon muliculturalism, nuclear disarmament, environmentalism, economic theories, and more.
But answer me this. In LotR, why didn't they just ride the giant eagles to Mordor in the first place? I'm just saying, there is a giant-huge hole in the plot right there. And why a hundred pages of rolling green hills? Why?
The pacing is all wrong for a "road" novel. The whole thing could have been cut down to one book.
There you go Marko! I'll be the first to admit that the books / movies aren't perfect and yes there are some flaws, but I still enjoy them. Gotta love how our thread has devolved into OOC talk Ah well, we're mostly done here anyway aren't we?
Pretty much.
We can roleplay your entry to the covenant as a petitioner for membership. You get a guest lab for now, and are allowed to study from our library.
I am planning for the next block of downtime to take us to Spring 1228, with Grand Tribunal being held in the summer of 1228.
You may begin planning accordingly.
Oh! Ludo has a situation to resolve. He may need your help on it, so don't make changes to posted stats just as of yet.
When Titus starts mumbling about his precious and runs around in nothing but a loin cloth... Thank you Marko, for that amazing image to start my morning with! Thankfully Titus has no intent of using Rune Magic, especially since he doesn't understand it. Oh and to make things easier with your calculations Marko, here's a list of what we've fought ( Mind you, not all of it was killed )
