[pnpgm] Update #125, File 946 – Raddok

[Bessie Hadley]

[I sorta apologize to the group at this time as I have very wordy, long updates - lol - but still new at this & really having fun thinking for Raddok & building a reality for him. He's a bit of a quiet, thoughtful man, less action-oriented than some others of the group, and is learning rapidly how to deal with unexpected action & to be helpful to these new friends of his.]  ;)

(OOC to GM: Is Raddok in the tent that is his? - mistakenly thought it was 2-man tent, but is 1-man, so maybe not, if sharing a tent with someone? If not his tent, then assume his tent still attached to his backrack with other extra supplies. Up to GM – either he’s in his tent, which blows away, or in another tent, which also blows away – the backrack will blow away somewhat but not far, rolling, as weighs around 30+ pounds)

Raddok is awakened when the tent starts rattling around as if someone is tearing it out of the ground & a high wind is screaming outside. He covers his head & curls up for a moment, his body instinctively protecting itself, but a dimly-heard shout in the wind seems to be calling “storm giant” & he quickly looks about himself for armor & weapons – the camp is flattened & in disarray. Still lying on his belly & trying to rise, he spots his shield & mace beside him & quickly grabs them, preparing to fight. 

[He does not immediately think of his magic ring, as has not used it in a fight for so long - he has briefly forgotten he is still wearing it. He has occasionally used it over the adventure, at Kiet’s suggestion, practicing with it, learning its range, keeping its spell & operation clear in his mind, & learning how to aim it without thinking about it, but not since they arrived in this strange land.]

Raddok looks around in the dark, spotting Kiet & looking in the direction where he’s looking, spots the weird faint sparking of – what? Fire? Lightning? Good grief, this is a storm giant? Wow. He’s never seen one before, but knows a real fight is ahead of them all. 

When he stands, bracing himself with his shield, the shield nearly overbalances him as the wind strikes it, so he holds it against his shoulder & chest to help brace it against his body – it will help keep blowing branches & debris away from his face & trunk. He wonders if hitting such a creature – of which he can only reach the legs to damage – can be brought down, then as quickly realizes that a strong swing to the back of the knees can collapse any 2-legged beastie, not just men. 

He has temporarily forgotten his ring – BUT when/if he sees a flame or any use of a magic ring, he will suddenly remember it, and prepare it for use, as the creature is already within the range (he has learned its range with practice, & not having used it for a few days, it is at full strength, & has two good charges in it for hitting soft spots – perhaps he can circle around to find a way to distract & hurt the giant). At least if he has to drop his mace, it will remain at his feet for use. Striking a knee with his ring’s flame might truly disable it & bring it down within easier reach – a very promising target, as is the hip, the belly and the face. He doesn’t know if his bracelet can protect him or not – he can not always remember which creatures are of chaos & which of kototh origins, but thinks that giants are elemental, therefore probably kototh. He won’t use his bracelet at this point.

He also then remembers the horses, (but they are probably panicking right now & might have run, especially if their tethers are broken) – they can be fetched later – right now, the fight must focus on the giant – but there’s a niggle of worry in the background of his mind, so he starts to work toward the horses (if they haven’t already fled), as he can easily see the sparkly ?head? - rising well above their surroundings. He also watches the giant's knees, waiting to see if he can hit them without hitting anyone else. Once he remembers the ring, he will use that first.

Bess L. Hadley