Before they move out Kurag stops and looks again at the rock trolls. Hold on a minute guys. I remember hearing reports of unusual trolls before. These sure seem like different than the normal trolls you hear about. These reports said that ‘rock’ trolls would sometimes ingest rocks and other hard materials if other food was scarce. Give me a moment will you?
With that he goes back and pulls a dagger and slices open eat if the trolls stomachs. The smell was atrocious but Kurag stuck with it. Pulling out the stomachs contents Kurag lifts a hand in triumph as he reveals 2 stones. These look valuable. Ondek or Khari are these magical?
"Yeah, I'd like to scan these rooms for magic as well. No telling what kind of secrets lie hidden in the walls."
Cawting detect magic, Ondek looks over the stones and then scans the general area.
There is nothing of note in this cave.
"An ancient set of paintings, and see here, here, and here?" Ondek points out several slightly different appearing sections of the murals.
"These have been changed over the years, centuries, likely. Some of it is touch-up and repair, but some of it shows real change in the subjects. Fascinating. These runes here, they're in Giant, and they indicate names and titles. If I'm reading them correctly, we have Aduromi, the Priestess of Crystals; Jogrothir the Hunter; Mymrith the Maker; and Rosag, Preserver of the Forge.."
Ondek takes careful notes of the art and names, trying to piece together what they are learning here from the ancient Giant artists.
"They seem to be protectors, guardians of these sites, maybe priests or officials of each place."
Rask looks around the room, and notices carvings on the floor. "Help me clear away the silt and dust from these carvings and see what they are."
+2 vs unusual stonework
"Hmmm, yes, I was just noticing that! What the heck is it?"
"Eight markings, with four primary and four secondary, all at right angles and within a circle? If I had to guess, I'd say this was a compass of some sort. How it directs the observer and where it points, I don't know, but it has to be a guide to something. I wonder what those indentations are for."
Perception
Survival
Know geography
Kurag helps clear the silt and lets out a low whistle as the entire diagram is revealed. This is quite the accomplishment here. Not only is this a compass directing one to the proper location but it gives the distance that needs to be traveled as well. That is what the notches indicate. However it is useless unless you can determine what true north is.
Pulling out his compass Kurag takes its bearing and sets it to the compass on the ground. Turning to face north, That is true north. The question now is which path to take. Hoping to answer the question himself he takes out the geode map and compares the mind spin mountain map to the compass.
Kiln nods his head in approval at the big brains in the group doing their thing.
"So what are we doing comrades?"
Once true north is found and the compass’s orientation is determined, the compass provides the following information.
One line points to a painting of a large stone temple in the middle of a lake. According to the compass, this temple lies approximately 10 miles southsouthwest of the Dark Passage .
The second line points to the drawing of a small chapel overlooking a canyon. This area is about 20 miles to the north-northeast .
The third line indicates a small cave in the mountains around 24 miles eastnortheast of here .
The fourth and final line leads to a stone temple in a swamp. This temple is to the east-southeast, approximately 25 miles from these caves .
There still looks like there is another cavern in this passage.
"It would appear we have found the secret map to this area. From what we've gleaned, the giant culture here must stretch back hundreds, if not thousands of years. I imagine there will be yet more mysteries to uncover, especially if these other sites are as well maintained as this one "
"So where do we go, and how many giants are there to kill?"
Lets first finish off this complex and explore this last cavern. Then we can either take the long trek first to get that done with or hit the shorter location. Based on the markings it is 10 miles south southwest to the Sunken temple or 25 miles east southeast to the Shrine of Fandarra. My vote is to hit the closer one and get familiar with what we might be facing.
"Kurag, that sounds like a plan to me. How about the rest of you?"
Tilting her head one way and the next, Khari nods along. "That sounds good by my standards. I am interested in this temple looking area." she states tracing the waterway, "But I am fine with waiting."
"Oh yes, closest geographic area seems like a good idea. If we can mark this spot carefully on the map, we should be able to return if needed as well. "
Ondek takes careful notes on their position and the paintings descriptions.
The roof of this wide cavern slopes steeply upward, forming a naturally vaulted ceiling. Two natural stone columns rise from the floor next to a pool of stagnant, brown water. In the northeast corner of the cavern stands a collection of roughly chiseled stones, each about three feet tall and carved with a single rune. Above the stones, dangling from a row of spikes pounded into the wall, hang long strings of dead bats tied together in clumps. Numerous tally marks have been scratched into the wall next to the bats.
Standing next to the pile of rocks is a giant with an elongated head and gray, rock-like skin.
He has two pet lizards that his excitedly when you all enter the chamber.
The lizards approach Kurag!
Kurag steps back 5 ft away from the sharp and now bloody teeth of the first lizard. The space allowed Rask and Kiln to step up while at the same time giving him space to unload upon the giant.
Point blank precise rapid favored enemy deadly aim sneak attack for
Rapid for
Iterative for
Rask steps up and swings at the closest lizard, and mutters "got yer back Kurag"
Targeting the giant, Ondek whispers a few words and makes a complicated hand gesture reminiscent of a nasty cramp.
Kurag wounds the giant and Rask wounds a lizard. Ondek casts hold person.
The giant seems to stay perfectly still.
Kiln steps up and swings away at the nearest lizard...
19-20/x3, S
19-20/x3, S
Kiln wounds the lizard but does not bring it down.
Need a Round 1 action from Khari
Kiln continues swinging at the lizard he was working on...
19-20/x3, S
19-20/x3, S
Rask continues to beat on the lizard in front of him!
Knowing the lizards will be taken care of by Rask and Kiln Kurag continues to fire triple shots into the giant trying to take it down.
Same modifiers as before for
Rapid shot Same modifiers as before for
Iterative Same modifiers as before for
Watching as the lizards scatter Khari chases after the nearest one, bringing her pickaxe down on it.
Kiln wounds the lizard but does not bring it down!
Rask is unable to hit the lizard in front of him!
One of Kurag's arrows finds its mark.
Khari wounds Rask's lizard!
The giant will throw a rock at Kurag!
Ondek flashes a winning smile and exudes a palpable force of personality out over the foes.
"I feel.as though this fight is all but won. If only the creatures knew this as well..."
"Dang lizards!" Rask yells as he tries once again to pound the lizard in front of him.
Kiln keeps in on the lizard...
19-20/x3, S
Crit Confirm:
19-20/x3, S
Second Attack:
19-20/x3, S
Rask is still not able to put down that pesky lizard!
Kiln puts down his lizard and with a chuckle helps Rask out with his.
Both lizards are now down!
Kurag continues to focus on the haphazard giant with Rask and Kiln taking out the lizards.
same modifiers against held giant...
primary for
rapid for
iterative for
Has aim was much better this time as hopefully 2 of the arrows connected. It wasnt enought to bring the giant down but it was a good start.
Kurag brings the giant down!
Kiln pats Kurag on the shoulder, "great job my friend."
No thanks needed. He needed to be put down attacking us like that. Besides I should thank you guys for being the roadblock with those lizards. They did not look like fun to hang out with. Giants are more my type to take down.
Even with the banter Kurag takes time to search the room for anything of interest.
Perception take 20
"A stalwart line of dwarven warriors, chopping down giants and their ilk. A fine battle, and one for the clan histories, indeed. I wonder what this particular group was protecting, perhaps the tunnel passages we learned about earlier?"
Ondek scans the room with detect magic and examines the dead lizards for any valuable materials to be harvested.
Kurag finds the following:
Scattered coins line the bottom of the stagnant pool—a total of 187 gp and 635 sp. In addition, while searching through the sludge at the bottom of the pool recovers a round, bluish stone the size of a small plate once used as a stone giant earplug. Cleaning the murk off the ear plate reveals it to be a large, expertly cut sapphire worth 1,350 gp. Next to the pile of stones in the corner is a Large wooden mallet and a chisel with a wooden handle carved to resemble a cave bear. These function as masterwork artisan’s tools for the Craft (sculptures) skill.
Also near the stones is a three-legged bronze tripod whose top consists of a bronze ring bisected by a worn bronze rod. This tripod is the stand that can be used (together with a magnet or piece of magnetite) to determine the orientation of the compass .
Khari stows her pickaxe and runs a thumb over her necklace. Who knows? But it had good taste in stones and equipment." she quips before beginning to weave her healing magic. Tapping Kiln on the shoulder, his wounds begin to close.
Indeed Khari. It is amazing that these giants don’t know the true worth of the items they possess. It looks shiny to them so they take it. They have no idea if it is worth a fortune or just a few coppers. At least we value good craftsmanship and can appreciate how well this sapphire was cut.
It looks like this is cleared out. Shall we rest here before heading to the Sunken Temple?
"Khari, I could use some healing also please."
"You can't expect those beasts to recognize quality and workdwarfship"