Jarreck works on the door for a while, but just can't get it fixed enough to open the door.
Guaire waits for Jarreck to finish with his handiwork.
Though after a bit, he notices it hadn't been going as smooth as earlier times.
"These are tricky ones, i take it?
Your skills aren't poor to start with."
After Mort had inspected the windows he flies down again and marks with his talons on a piece of paper.
First window... atrium, three doors, east smashed, hole in west door
Second window... bedroom and study, nobody there, doors with no handles, copper plates near them.
Someone can lift me up to the hole?
Mort squeezes through the hole in the door and flies about, close to the ceiling flitting from side to side like a normal lost bird.
He tries to discern what happened inside.
"Let's follow the tracks."
Seventeen was oddly non-commital, replying "Perhaps. Lets see what Mort finds if anything. We need him to follow them anyway, unless Guaire can discern where they lead."
"I'll try.
Come Spike, we've got prints to follow."
Guaire and Jarreck follow the trail and after less than 30 minutes of following begin to smell a campsite. They hear the grunting of several large creatures ahead.
Mort perches on Guaire's shoulder after investigating, seeing as the group wants to follow the tracks to maybe open the door.
When the group comes within proximity of the smell...picked up quickly by Spike (maybe?), Guaire holds his hand up.
"Shhh, you hear that?
Sounds big..."
Seventeen had followed the others of course. The distant grunting caused some concern, "From the noise they, whatever they are, sound large."
The 'little bird' on Guaire's soulder sings beautifully, then flies up high into the sky and investigates the grunting noises further afield.
Jarreck creeps forward while Mort flies above, both see the same thing. Four Giants have a campsite and are grunting at each other.
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Jarreck looks at the campsite for the missing door handle before returning to the others.
"We have 4 big ugly brutes ahead who are ...while maybe not the most polished of fighters... but they'll still squash you flat and if they get a hold of you; well 2 might be the lowest number of parts you end up in. But then again most bullies are only happy while winning the fight if they are losing then THAT MIGHT CHANGE THINGS UP A BIT." He says with fire returning to his voice "Might not be so early in the day after all Seven."
2. Create Pit, Mirror Image, Sound burst
3. Haste, Slow
4. Acid Pit, Improved Invisibility
Seventeen looks at Jarreck oddly, whatever did he mean? It was well past midday by now, just when she thought she was beginning to understand something always seemed to remind her of the gulf between them. She decided the best course of action was to nod as if she had understood. So she nodded.
A little later she looked at the others and asked, "We found them, what is the plan now?" Seventeen didn't really see the point in seeking combat here but the others sometimes had a bloodthirsty streak, so it was worth checking their intentions.
"I propose we don't outright attack them just yet.
Multiple large foes who can hit us before we get to them, is unhealthy in my book.
Seven, you can cause confusion or trick them into something, surely, if need be."
Mort perches on top of a large tree and begins to sing an harmonious birdsong, while looking from time to time if he sees any sign of the missing doorpiece.
There seems to be something that might have been the handle being used as a turner for the spit. An entire pig is being roasted while the Giants argue.
Seventeen considers for a moment before saying, "If they are dim-witted it might be possible to get them to move. Does anyone know anything they particularly fear or desire?"
If nobody suggests anything she has an idea, "The illusion of a coy female giant might provide a diversion. I would need a little while to prepare but it should be possible to lead them on a chase."
Seven knows enough about Hill Giants to conjure a convincing illusion...let me know what you do,
"Fair enough. Let's just make sure we never get into reach, a charging giant.....well you get the idea. :)"
Mort flits about in thrush form, looking to see if these giants were all the same or not, checking to see if any of them seemed to be a leader or shaman of sorts.
The giants all look about the same. About 12ft tall and ugly as sin...
Seventeen explains her plan, "If I concentrate I can project an illusion up to 720 feet away, that's 13.6364% of a mile. Far enough away they will likely ignore me. My plan is to conjure the likeness of a Lady Giant. One of you will be closer and will deliberately make a noise, snapping twigs and perhaps throwing something to attract their attention towards the illusion. I'll make the 'Lady Giant' pretend to play 'hard to catch', and slip away from them while encouraging them with 'coy glances'. I believe that's how the books describe it although I must confess the mating rituals all seem terribly inefficient. Anyway once the giants are distracted it should be possible to retrieve the handle."
Seventeen heads off to find a good spot, where she can see her assistants (who will make the noise) and the giants. Of course the giants can't see her helpers due to the trees, or at least that's the plan!
When all is ready, seventeen does her best to conjure the likeness of a lady giant! She concentrates and waits for the twig snapping ruckus to begin before walking her illusion into view.
Omo's face is in his paws. Killing them might preserve their dignity.
The Hill Giants nearly stumble over themselves rushing after the female. The shove and snarl at each other, each attempting to get there first. As the female moves away coquettishly, they follow.
Jarreck rushes forward and snatches up the handle, with this he thinks he can fix the door. Jarreck even has time to spot a bag of valuables
One of the lean-tos contains a large bag that holds several items of value: a lump of noqual that weighs 25 pounds and is worth 1,250 gp, a +1 animated light wooden shield, and the bottom half of a half-eaten gnome that still wears a pair of boots of striding and springing.
Seventeen wouldn't understand Omo's reaction if she saw it. Perhaps mercifully she didn't although if asked she would explain that it was efficient. While dim-witted, the Giants were formidable in combat and undoubtedly would have required significant resources to kill. Concerns over giantly dignaty would be met with puzzled incomprehension.
Later
Having regrouped with the party, Seventeen suggests, "You might find it easier to open the door now Jarreck, it seemed nearly impossible before without the right parts."
..... o_o
Guaire takes in the scene, somewhat amused too, to see giants run after an illusion like crazy dogs.
"Wow, this works better than i'd hoped, impressive."
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Jarreck rushes through camp stopping briefly to pick up a few other items the Giants would do well not to have. Granted the boots took a second try as they were far from clean considering the state of their previous owner. Once away from the camp Jarreck looks to Seven, and shaking his head, claps her on the shoulder "Excellent work madame"
Moving back to the tower Jarreck tries the door using the newly aquired door lever.
Jarreck opens the massive door and finds This grand hall is ten feet wide and twenty-five feet long . A large metal door stands at the west end of this entry, while three other metal doors stand in the walls at the opposite end. The middle door is slightly smaller than the others, and a metal wheel is mounted in the center of each door.
Rather woodenly Seventeen says, "Er. Thank you. Let's explore this tower."
Knowing that she isn't exactly stealthy, Seventeen watches him go until he vanishes into the shadows. This tower is likely to be very dangerous, so Seventeen keeps a careful watch until Jarreck returns.
Guaire can't help but notice Seven's watchful waiting.
"He will be fine, he's a capable man."
He looks down.
"Ready as well? We're going indoors again."
Spike looks up, then sharply exhales through the nose, then looks back forward.