The Hill Giant's Pledge: Book 2 of Giantslayer AP
Leap into classic adventure! Gear up for the Giantslayer Adventure Path, a campaign against towering odds to fight for monumental rewards.
$10.00
/ Session
Details
1 player following this game
Weekly / Friday - 7:30 PM UTC
Oct 23 / Session 19
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
Campaign Length / 6–10 Sessions
4 / 6 Seats Filled
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One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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Schedule
Meet your party members
4/6
About the adventure
Deep in the Mindspin Mountains, a storm giant warlord known as the Storm Tyrant has seized control of a cloud castle and an Orb of Dragonkind, and is gathering an army of giants from across western Avistan—first to bring the orc hordes of Belkzen under his banner, then to conquer the neighboring realms. Heroes defending the human town of Trunau from an orc raid discover that the attack is just a precursor to the Storm Tyrant's larger plans. Working their way through an abandoned border fort, an ancient giant temple, the tomb of an undead frost giant, and an elite fire giant training facility beneath a dormant volcano, the heroes eventually take the fight to the Storm Tyrant himself inside his flying fortress. Can the giant army be defeated before it can conquer the human lands of the Inner Sea, or will all of Avistan bow down in fealty to the Storm Tyrant? The Giantslayer Adventure Path continues in the human town of Trunau, a beleaguered settlement surrounded by the brutal orcs of the Hold of Belkzen. The orcs attacking Trunau have been defeated, but the danger remains—the hill giant chieftain Grenseldek still wants the treasures of the tomb beneath Trunau. In order to protect their chosen community, the heroes must leave it and travel by riverboat through the orc-ruled Hold of Belkzen to the abandoned border fort that the giant has claimed as her lair. Yet even putting down Grenseldek and her squabbling monstrous minions may not be enough to save Trunau. For the hill giant has sent a fateful letter, and a storm is brewing on the horizon... Once we finish The Hill Giant's Pledge, I plan on running Forge of the Giant God, Book 3 of the Giantslayer Adventure Path.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Lite
Tactical / Crunchy
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
4.9
(11)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
54 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Knows the Rules, Creativity
Average response time: 24+ hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
I started playing TTRPGs in the late '80s, mostly 1st Ed. D&D before we transitioned to 2nd Ed. D&D. None of my high school friends wanted to DM, so I ran almost all of our games. While at college in the early 90s, I continued DMing 2nd Ed. D&D games, but I was able to play more--including games other than D&D. I was our Gaming Club president for two years. I was fortunate enough to win the D&D Open at GenCon in both 1994 & 1999. After my second win, I started judging. It was my privilege to co-author the adventure The Sword of Cuthbert, which was used for the D&D Open in 2003. I was the D&D Open Coordinator from 2004 to 2007. Although I was a play tester for 4th Ed. D&D, I was not a fan so I continued playing 3.5 Ed. D&D until Pathfinder came along. In 2010, a few friends & I started publishing some third-party Pathfinder 1e content via a company called Interaction Point Games. I was the primary editor, but I also wrote a few items including Kingdoms of Legend: Dragon Challenge and Kingdoms of Legend: Haunted Woods Encounter. Through it all, I have continued playing and DMing several campaigns. At this point, I mostly run games in Pathfinder 1 Ed.
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Creating your character
You will receive links for the Discord server we'll be using and the Roll20 game as soon as you register. The Players' Guide is in the file section and you are strongly encouraged to review this document. Using the 25 point buy method, create a sixth level character. Most Paizo Pathfinder 1e content is allowed. If interested in firearms, then follow the "Emerging Guns" standard. Third party publishing content will be allowed only with my consent. Players will be required to utilize the Pathfinder character sheet on Roll20. Traits & Drawbacks are allowed with standard restrictions. You may spend 16,000 gp on gear and magic items. Maximum hp for 1st level then roll for levels 2-6, but with a 75% minimum (.5 hp are accumulated).
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Discord & Roll20 accounts are required. I'll send links for both once you book your spot.
What Allen (Big Al) brings to the table
Unfortunately, I am unable to do many character voices, but I do try to mix it up a little bit. My GMing style is usually considered more tactical, so expect lots of combat with role-playing sprinkled in. I would say I follow RAW about 80% of the time. I definitely encourage the players to get creative, however, so don't be surprised if I bend the rules a bit if you want to do something cool! I don't really worry about things like tracking (non-magical) resources, encumbrance, or spell components. I also have a few homebrew rules, mostly regarding healing (see below).
Homebrew rules
I add the following to all spells or abilities which heal hit point damage: Like other spells/abilities which heal damage, this spell/ability can bring recently slain creatures back to life. If cast upon a creature who has died within 1 round, then apply the healing from this spell/ability to the creature. If the healed creature's hit point total is at a negative amount less than its constitution score, then it comes back to life and stabilizes at its new hit point total. If the creature's hit point total is at a negative amount equal to or greater than its constitution score, then the creature remains dead. Creatures brought back to life through this spell/ability gain a temporary negative level which lasts for 1 day. Creatures slain by death effects cannot be saved by this spell/ability. Undead creatures cannot be brought back to life. Furthermore, spells such as breath of life have been tweaked even further: If used upon a creature who has died within a number of rounds equal to the caster's relevant spellcasting ability score modifier (wisdom for clerics, charisma for oracles, etc.), then the creature's hit points are first returned to negative their constitution score and then the healing from this spell/ability is applied to the creature. Higher level healing spells/abilities expand these changes even further.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Allen (Big Al) creates a safe table
I want to provide a gaming experience where everyone feels comfortable and welcome. First, we will talk about boundary concerns during the Session 0. Also, I will try to provide breaks where appropriate to break up any tension. My games are also completely open-door to assure anyone in the group can take a break for their own safety and well-being without judgement. Finally, I do not tolerate bullying, disrespect, or judgement against other players or any real-world groups (whether they are represented at the table or not).
Content warnings
Safety tools used