Kurag spies the trolls and calls out his brethren. Come on quickly. I see trolls ahead leading one of our kin. Kurag spurs Lucky onward as he launches arrows at the trolls. Once the dwarf is freed Kurag hops off Lucky and tosses the dwarf a cloak. Here, take this. You need it more than I do. The name is Kurag and this here is Lucky. What happened to you to get you captured and drug off by trolls?
"It was bad luck, to say the least, but maybe not. I wouldn't have guessed there would be a troupe of dwarfs out here to save me. Maybe my luck is turning for the good? I am called 'Brother Hawthorne.' I'm a lay priest of Shelyn"
Brother Hawthorne is a dwarf of the usual stature, but his reddish orange beard and coppery skin appear to glow in the light.
"Fortunate that we-" Sven stopped when he heard Shelyn. He looked at the newcomer with a scowl which he tried to hide. Certainly that was a Goddess of craft, but why not Torag then? He knew that the thought wasn't worthy of him, that all walked their own path, but the old dwarf was still struck by it nonetheless. "And how did they catch ye?" He said, forcing his voice to be civil. "And are there any kinsmen about?"
"They captured me more than a week ago outside Janderhoff. I was out visiting some farms, when the trolls came upon us. They slew the farmers, but they grabbed me. They kept referring to me as 'saving a snack for later.' But, here we are, a week later, and they hadn't eaten me yet. I sang to them a couple times. I can't say that I know many giant songs, but any old tune, and they would listen up. Every night it was, 'we'll most likely eat you in the morning.' Praise Shelyn that my music got me through, and that her luck put me where you could rescue me." He pulls the cloak tighter, and asks "I don't suppose anyone has a pair of breeches I can borrow? And some food? Those trolls only let me drink their horrible slop for a week, I am famished, and could out eat a halfling about now I should think."
I don't have any spare breeches at the moment, but I do have a blanket and some rope. Give me a few minutes and I bet I can get you a kilt. Not the best but at least you will be covered. Kurag whips out his dagger and proceeds to put holes in his blanket. On the third hole though he stops and looks to the others. Hey guys...what are your thoughts about letting him use Kiln's gear? Maybe not his weapons and stuff as we should inter him with those but the rest of the regular stuff?
Kurag also fishes out some trail rations and hands them over to the half naked dwarf.
Brother Hawthorne notices the fallen dwarf. "Such a stout and brave dwarf this one must have been. I would be honored to perform funerary rites for him, should you be so inclined as to accept my offer."
Kurag hangs his head in solemn remembrance. That he was. Kiln was his name and valiant fighter and honorable companion. We will miss him dearly. I was thinking of making a cairn for him inside the walls of the structure there and burying him with his vanquished foes and his equipment. Sven, I believe was going to say some rites in good dwarven fashion but additional prayers for the afterlife are always welcome in my opinion.
Brother Hawthorne nods. "It is right and proper that one who knew Kiln in life be the one to recite his tale before the gods. I shall content myself to play background music during the homage to a brave warrior."
"Welcome Brother Hawthorne. We would be honored if you would also say prayers for our fallen brother. As the others have said, his name was Kiln."
Brother Hawthorne stretches his fingers and lips, and summons a great highland bagpipe. He looks to the others, "let's see about a song worthy of your companion Kiln."
He plays a martial dirge in the dwarf style.
After the dirge Kurag turns with wet eyes towards the gate. Well, let's finish this for Kiln's sake. Onward to glory or a similar fate.
perception +4 giants
stealth
Sven made the sign of Torag over the fresh grave. He had to admit that the dirge was a fine one. And regardless of what words mortals said, Kiln was with Magrim now. All that mattered was that proper respect was given.
”Onward, lads. Our foes do not rest and so neither can we.”
"Yes, lets enter this place."
"Does anyone have a weapon I can use? Even a brace of daggers would be something."
I have some extra gear that you can use. Here is a single dagger. If you can use a greatclub help yourself to that as well. Otherwise here is thunder stone (13), alchemist fire (5), smokestick, and some fuse grenades (2) that I have for use. I also have a wand of cue light wounds bestowed upon it that has 36 charges remaining.
Also I don't know if you are up for it but until we get you some gear you can ride on Lucky as he can keep you out of the fight if things start getting a little dicey.
Brother Hawthorne pockets the items offered as well as he can. "I fear that I am rather unproficient at horsemanship, and would likely be more at risk, however excellent of a companion Lucky may be. The offer is well intended and appreciated, however."
As the valley widens, all traces of vegetation disappear, having been cut down or trampled into the dirt and mud. Plumes of smoke from countless campfires rise into the sky, and loud, guttural speech and shouts fill the air. Ahead, a towering edifice of stone looms over the canyon, carved into the face of a mighty mountain. Between the sheltering slopes of the surrounding peaks stretches a broad, muddy expanse where countless giants have set up makeshift camps. Wide roads of trampled earth traverse the valley floor, connecting the camps to smaller side canyons to both the north and south.
The immense stone structure overlooking the valley to the west is the ancient Cathedral of Minderhal . The cathedral is cut from the stone of the tallest of the valley’s surrounding mountains.
Below the cathedral, eager applicants attempting to join the Storm Tyrant’s army cram into the valley. Numerous ogres, trolls, and several varieties of giants have set up camp here, desperate for attention and waiting impatiently to prove their worth and be accepted. Most of the giants have clustered together with others of their own kind; while all have gathered here for the same reason, there is little love lost between the various giant species, and their encampments are widely spaced, with several hundred yards between them.
In the middle of the valley, dirt- and blood-splattered giants form a long, snaking column, pushing and shoving their way up the western side of the valley toward the great gates of the Cathedral of Minderhal. These giants—mostly hill giants, a few stone and cave giants, and a smattering of lesser giants (ettins, ogres, and trolls)—are all new recruits. Having proven themselves in the fighting pits to the north, they wait for the chance to stand before the ancient forge in the cathedral and swear fealty their new liege lord, the Storm Tyrant.
More giants trudge along the roads crossing the valley floor. Those heading south drag loads of timber, herds of livestock, great sacks of provisions, and other supplies for the growing encampments of new recruits . The giants traveling north carry little but their own weapons, and are heading for the fighting pits , where they will enter bloody gladiatorial challenges to prove themselves worthy of recruitment.
It is abundantly clear to you all that you are greatly outnumbered and outmatched, and that any attempt to attack the massed giants or the giant encampments would be tantamount to suicide. On the other hand, the Cathedral of Minderhal on the slopes of the mountain above the valley is an obvious focal point for the giants’ attention.
Sven shook his head ruefully at the sight below them. "Well...fook. That isn't good. More than enough to overrun us. If only we had some way to make an illusion. Tell them that they aren't welcome in the army. Either cause a riot or make them wander off home and away from us." He mused.
Kurag stands there mouth agape as he looks at the expanse before him. Not sure what to say he simply stares at the number of giants solemnly. Finally he mutters out a simple, Hmmm, well this is going to take some thought.
Brother Hawthorne asks, "I don't suppose anyone has any nut shells?"
He looks over the problem, and points at the Cathedral, "do you think we could get there by going around the masses of giants? Alternately, it is possible I could invisible some people, or disguise myself to look like one of their shorter allies? A runty ogre, perhaps?"
I do not think I have any nut shells unless there are some stored in my rations. Continuing to look over the throng he hears Hawthorne's other questions. For what purpose? Are we to kill each and every giant here by such means? That would take years and there is a greater chance that more would show up while we are killing these. Or are you thinking just to mingle with the giants and gather some information as to what is going on. I could see that happening and having some success. Or are you wanting to cut in line and head straight to the Cathedral?
Pointing out the 3 distinct areas Kurag wonders aloud to the others. If we are looking at gathering information which area do you want to investigate first? To the south looks supply lines while to the north looks like some sort of initiation rites. It may be possible to disrupt their food supplies if we go south. That is my best bet to thin the numbers. Although if there truly is an initiation in the north we could put the different giants against each other. That would be fun to see.
Brother Hawthorne, for how long and how many are you able to make invisible?
know geography
"Five I should think, for maybe 9 or 10 minutes each, but for that I shall need some gum arabic."
So what can we accomplish in that amount of time? It might allow us to sneak in somewhere or get to a destination but what do we do after that?
"Honestly, I don't know. I don't know what your capabilities are, as I have just met you."
Well, Brother, I will say I am pretty good with a bow and given a defended vantage point I can pin cushion what ever you want me to. I have keen senses and a knack for moving around unseen. Lucky grants me some maneuvering capabilities when I need it. I can also lay some traps down given a heads up. However all of that is limited when compared to the horde there. [b]
Looking at the horde Kurag shakes his head again. [b]The problem is we just don’t know what is exactly going on. we need to do some more scouting and investigate what north and south of us are before making any plans unless you all think we just need to rush the citadel?
Looking to Brother Hawthorne, "scouting is Kurag's thing, so he makes the decision on where we should go next. Once their, my and our late friend Kiln's things is to make sure we finish the mission. Unfortunately with so many giants it usually involves hammer or axe to face fighting." Rask waves Agrimmosh when saying this.
"Understood."
The other issue we have is we don’t know how long they will stay here before moving out on their campaign. If we knew it would be 2 weeks before they March that gives us more time to come up with a better plan. Brother Hawthorn or Sven, do you have anyways of mentally compelling a giant to befriend us and interrogate one of them? That could give some answers while I scout and try to gather other information.
From their current vantage point Kurag looks to see a way to circle the camps to get to the north or south.
Perception
If need be he could cut into the mountain terrain to avoid detection and lead the others along the same path.
Know geography
For such a dangerous option though he will leave Lucky behind with the others as he moves forward with his wand of pass without trace.
Stealth
Brother Hawthorne shakes his head, "not as such, no. I could fascinate one, and possibly even make a suggestion to it, but not befriend it. Quite the opposite, I could cause a number of them to fight one another, possibly."
Without much of a plan Kurag looks to the others and points north. Let's head out that way and skirt the edge of all the giants. Any rogue bands that we come across we may have to kill to avoid detection. If possible though we should try and capture one alive and interrogate it. Also keep your eyes out for any nuts that we may find either in the wilderness or among the stores that the giants have.
As you skirt the Giant encampment trying to be inconspicuous, Kurag notices that a group of ogres comes through the area with a cart filled with dung every half hour or so, stopping for a few minutes here and there to shovel up the giants’ waste before heading off again. Four ogre dungsweeps pull their dung carts through the giant camps and - up to the cathedral itself! The two-wheeled dung carts are the size of wagons: 10 feet long, 10 feet wide, and sitting 5 feet off the ground. A single dung cart can hold up to 2,000 pounds of waste, but even when the carts are emptied, the smell is overpowering.
Brother Hawthorne observes the odd occurrence i silence.
Brother Hawthorne will also start looking to pick up the various items he might need to power his spells.
Kurag observes the carts in silence as well and waits till they are out of hearing distance before speaking. If we need a method to get into the Cathedral there is one option. We can hide under the wagons and sneak in that way. Unfortunately that would mean leaving Lucky out here alone. Perhaps there is a better, less smelly, way we can all get access if need be to the Cathedral.
Kurag pushes on to the north still keeping to the edges and leading the group forward.
"Blessed Torag, there must be another way." The old dwarf said, a look of horror on his face. "To hide under the wagons would mean to have to hold on through its entire journey. It would be a test of the mind and body that we would all need to endure. Or to hide within..." He shook his head. "There must be another way in. Perhaps a secret entrance hidden alongside the mountains?" He added, hopefully.
Continuing around the perimeter, you see scores of great tents sprawling across an open field, their stretched hides flapping in the cold mountain winds. Towering poles fashioned from bark-stripped tree trunks display the decapitated and rotting heads of beasts and giants alike, hung from the posts by their scalps. Several huge pits gape in the center of the muddy field pits, their perimeters staked with gruesomely stained spiked logs.
There are eight fighting pits in all, haphazardly scattered across this portion of the valley. Most run fights all day, squaring off various giants against one another as well as against a wide variety of beasts such as manticores, rift drakes, or wyverns. When a fight occurs, other giants crowd around the pit, screaming and making wild wagers. Contestants who draw the most individual attention become recruits and are sent to the Recruit Encampments. Most of those who fail to impress do so by dying. The dead are either fed to beasts or dragged off and burned in one of the massive fire pits to the south. Losers lucky enough to survive are quickly exiled from the cathedral grounds to make room new candidates.
The fighting pits swarm with eager giant warriors. For the most part, they remain focused on the violence of the pits and their own victories.
Reporting back to the others Kurag asks, Any ideas about how to turn giants against each other? I mean we could try pranks like pulling up tent stakes but that seems like rather small-scale stuff and won't make a big difference. If no one has any ideas here, then we need to head south and look at the supplies.
"In the micro sense, I can likely cause some small number of them to start fighting one another, but I can't do this for the entire valley of giants."
Well in the short term we might as well do what you can if we don’t have other options. Cause whatever havoc here before we move on. At this rate though I am thinking that we may need to just head to the Cathedral directly.
”I’m going to need those nuts shells. Any variety will do.”
If you need them then I will do what I can to find you some. Anything else I need to look for?
Kurag will try and gather the nuts from the giant's camp leaving Lucky behind.
stealth
perception
survival
Should Kurag run into any patrols or not able to hide behind tents he will quaff his potion of invisibility, gather what he finds, and make a run for it.
Brother Hawthorne borrows a piece of paper, and jots down a list for Kurag.
Talc and powdered silver
Licorice root
3 nut shells (any variety)
Bat guano and sulfur
Clay model of a ziggurat (clay?)
Gum Arabic
Ground mica
Tallow, brimstone, powdered iron
Butter
Soot and salt
Clear crystal or mineral prism
Copper wire
Several items he scratches out, as things he has already found while scrounging.
"This list would really help!"
Kurag scans the list and makes a mental note of it as well. I won't guarantee anything but will do what I can. If I don't make it back by the morning you will have to assume that I was killed. Take care of Lucky for me.
"Don't die! That's more important than those components!"