Urth tells everyone, "a few hills away, there are perhaps four humanoids around a small mudbrick cabin. Someone is chopping wood, so they're civilized."
Pointing at the odd crystal formations, some as big as a halfling, the Illuskan asks, "anyone know what those are?"
He reverently speaks, "leiðsögn." Then, Urth examines the crystals, assuming no one knows that they are dangerous.
Molok has marched with the others out into the wilds. As he carries all he needs, he only needed to resupply some food before leaving Triboar.
Once they have settled for the night, the stone man says that he will take the first watch.
Jysson will collect food for everyone.
When he gets back, he'll play the flute to pass the time.
When he gets back, he'll play the flute to pass the time.
Dymm would want to join in with some song. I know no one is injured, but it would be a Song of Rest
Jysson brings back a bounty of berries, fresh water, slain cacaw birds, and even a few fish in the early twilight.
Urth, you might recognize these crystals as particularly large specimens of fluorite. The orange specks are likely iron impurities in quartz. In arcana, some have been known to craft lenses from fluorite for astronomical or other optical studies. Additionally, it is an excellent flux for smelting ores. It often forms when a very deep hot spring penetrates limestone bedrock, but these particular crystals seem to have had their growth influenced by some magic.
Pindleton makes sure to bid farewell to Kolstaag, "It appears we are in a bit of a hurry to leave this evening, and I can't think of something I am in need of finding at the moment. But take care of it, and you may wish to go hunting for some adamantine with it sometime. Be well!" He winks and hurries off.
The halfling joins the others and settles into camp for some reading and getting to know their new acquaintances.
Much thanks!
After he prepares his horse and camp, Urth takes out his spellbook and spends some of his time performing a ritual to Detect Magic on the crystals and assessing the area, including his companions gear. He takes a watch shift while there is some sunlight.
Urth, detect magic reveals no aura on the crystals. If they were magically grown, it was a very long time ago. You are able to sense the magical auras on your companions (as far as I know, none have tried to conceal).
”Yes. When we can purchase the proper inks and quills, we should trade notes. “ Urth replies collegiality.
”Jax, what is your specialty? Where did you train?“ Urth asks quietly and conversationally around the campfire.
"Cool rock. Tribe? Which one? Were you nomadic or sedentary?" Urth asks trying to keep the conversation positive and quiet around the campfire.
After the answers, the Illuskan opens up and says, "yeah. Rukking giants ambushed and killed everyone on my riverboat about a month ago. I'm going to kill every giant I see until I find those rukking pirates."
By your best estimates, its another 6 hours to the site, and leaving early puts you nearby at noon. It's a sticky, humid day and the insects pelter your face as you guide your animals through the brush.
The smell hits you first.
Death and decay, that gagging acrid stench. Diseased looking vultures encircle the site, blackening the disc of Sol at times. But you don't find quite what you would expect...there aren't any bodies.
Instead, it seems only particular parts have been left behind. A foot here, a tangled mess of red hair there. Perhaps these were the parts the hill giants found the least tasty. Additionally the goods the Elk Tribe brought down have all been plundered, their boxes and barrels turned and emptied.
You spot a crumbling tower atop a hill less than a quarter mile away. Parts of its conical roof and outer shell have fallen inward, leaving a gaping hole above which four hawks circle.
A swift hand to the nose, "Orc's ass, that smells.."
Looking to the tower in the distance, "Well looks like we have somewhere to investigate. Those birds don't look like they are here because of the fresh flowers.. Shall we get closer and sneak up closer.. find out what the deal is?"
Yeah, sounds good. Let me check the area first.
Urth steels himself when the first wave of stench hits him. His eyes water, but he starts breathing through his mouth. He pulls his fey raven called Fox from its pocket dimension and sends it aloft to get a bird's eye view. Soaring 100 feet above them, Urth looks through Fox's eyes.
Unfortunately, his all too mortal raven is distracted by the cornucopia of carrion on the battlefield.
Jysson, you quickly piece together the story of the past from the silt, and for the most part it matches what the distraught country elf had to say about the attack 2 and some change days ago (note it took her a day to get back to Triboar as well). You count 11 giants, however. They surrounded the clearing on all sides, but ultimately they came and returned to the northeast. You find some separate giant tracks, just 1 giant, leading towards the aforementioned old tower.
Urth, you to the east you see the Dessarin river cutting north and south through the hills. Something seems to be blocking its flow perhaps 10 miles away to the northeast...you don't recall any dams on the river before.
"Great Brass Balls of the Beast! Something's blocking the rukking Dessarin about 10 miles away to the northeast. Bet those rukking giants are fouling the shipping from Waterdeep to Sunderbar! These could be those giant waterpads!" Urth explodes after returning control of his familiar's sight.
The tracks show eleven giants. One went to the tower. The rest that way. Jysson points the same direction Urth is speaking of.
Molok moves through the scene of slaughter seemingly immune to the smell and gore. He examines the empty crates of trade goods and when Jysson points out where the lone giant went, he begins to move towards the ruined tower, his maul gripped tightly in his hands.
Moving slightly away from the smell. "Well. Shall we deal with that tower then? Glad we only should have to deal with 1 and not 11! Maybe we can ask it why it killed these people."
Dymm would like to dismount as they get closer and attempt to stealth closer, keeping quiet.
Dymm, as you get within a few hundred feet you notice a large boulder blocks the tower's ground-floor entrance, and a horrible noise comes from within. Its a deep, guttural, dirge pouring from the lips of something big and awful...like a fat, retarded woman crying.
Sohar, you recognize the crimson feathers of the hawks instantly, these are blood hawks.
Small hand wave while holding a small piece of copper. Whispering to the group. "It looks like we are bared from entry. Maybe there is another way in. Also it sounds like the fat lady is singing.. I mean crying.. inside"
Looking for windows, or other ways in slightly higher up.
Urth dismounts and readies his sword and shield. He gets his fey raven to do a fly by around the tower giving the bloodhawks wide berth looking for another entrance.
Come on; let's go in. Jysson says, carefully making his way inward.
As he goes, he tries to keep quiet.
Urth and Dymm, you both start to realize there are multiple ways into this tower. First, Dymm, you note that a person of your size could squeeze through a small crack next to the boulder. Second, there are 3 arrow slits around the lower level that offer an opening of about 5 inches. Third, Urth, even giving the blood hawks wide berth, you can see the tower is mostly without a roof, and even the circular wall leading down to the second floor is partially collapsed. Finally, you both note the second floor has 2 windows large enough for a man to pass, one facing west on the same side as the boulder, and one facing east.
Jysson, to get in you could try pushing the boulder out of the way or climbing up. If climbing, please indicate where you intend to climb to; there are three options: east window, west window (both 30 ft) or roof hole (40 ft).
Quietly to the others. "It looks like I can sneak in through the front and get a look around. Maybe see what we have to deal with. Pindenton should be able to join me as well."
From your vantage its not perfectly clear where the blood hawk nest is, but something is keeping them near the tower roof. The boulder does indeed seem to be rolled into place.
Getting closer, the whimpering is quite loud actually and those who know giant hear "No, no, no...poor Moog! Husband gone, really gone...awww"
Jysson will go for the most simple route: pushing the rock out of the way.
It doesn't budge a micron.
|
Sohar warns the group about the hawks. "They are very aggressive, attacking anything they view as either prey or threat." He dismisses his own fey companion, Ghost, to illustrate his seriousness. He keeps an eye on them as he also makes his way to the tower.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Can't get in, Jysson reports back to the group.
When they inevitably inform him about the windows and how much he'd see if he just looked up, he goes back to the tower to climb it.
Sohar, they seem to be keeping their distance for now, but surely they must be able to see you all at this point. You have seen them snatch rabbits from further away than this.
Dymm will watch others unsure of what to do. And watching Jyssen work on the boulder.
"Well I am going in"
Dymm will squeeze through and look into the room.
Molok moves forward and bracing himself, shoves at the boulder blocking the entrance.
Jysson, you quietly ascend the eastern side of the tower to the second story window. Gazing inside, you see a wall made of flesh blocking your entry. Stinky, sweaty, and breathing...yep, its a giant's back.
Dymm, just as you poke your head through, you notice some feet dangling about 20 above you...giant feet. The feet are connected to giant calves, and the calves of course connected to a female hill giant. She is sitting up on the second story, dangling her legs between a hole in the second story floor. She notices you almost instantly and speaks in giant "Oh what now? You leave, Nosh. Moog not want pickle." she lazily throws a giant assemblage of masonry in your general direction, which hits scarily nearby showering you with powder.
Molok, yes, your powerful build makes you perhaps the only character who can push the boulder without magic or mechanism. Its only a DC 10 for you.
Molok pushed at the bolder in an attempt to move it.
STR:
Molok, once you get it rolling its not that bad actually.
She sniffs and snorts at the intrusion, wiping her eyes and nose "Moog change mind. Moog eat now."
Round 1