Jorgan nods along. "Aye, most of them have been going that way. I'm guessing that's where the biggest encampment will be, maybe even this Tinderhall place. Let's try it."
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After traversing through the valley for half of the day Jorgan finds numerous giant sized footprints that scar the earth around a large campfire, which lies nestled between the outcropping of large boulders.
Placing his hand over the fire Jorgan feels a bit of heat still rising from the embers of the fire, suggesting it was only recently abandoned. Lying in the ashes are an intact human skull and jaw
"They must be close." Rog mutters as he sends Kashag into the air once more to scout the area hoping to prevent letting the Giants get the drop on them.
He picks up the human jaw and looks at is, amused. "Hopefully thus is not Shinnermann, if you wanted to rescue the humans, we'd better move quickly." He moves to continue following the tracks, keeping in constant communication with his hawk.
Torgan, filled with the vigor of a religiously-fueled lunatic, sees the skull and exclaims. "Do not worry, dead brother! I will see that these followers of the Great and Fiery Beard are purged from the land and that your vengeance is wrought!" he proclaims as he unsheaths Aggrimosh and boldly directs his yak to follow the path pointed out by his brother.
Jorgan and Spirit, both bearded in full glory, continue to lead the others down the trail. "Aye, it's a pity we can't save them all but I have ta remind myself that it just isn't possible. We're close though so let's get the elf-cannon ready to launch Wren into their midsts ready to fight any minute now."
Jorgan will also give barkskin to himself and Spirit .
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Jorgan and Rogzul are able to easily pick the trail up once again.
Rogzul doesn't let Kashag fly too far ahead as high in the sky seem to be several smaller drakes that dart in and out of the crevices looking for snacks in the air. They seem to currently be paying little attention to anything on the ground.
After several more hours Evening begins to approach as you round the next bend in the valley the party comes face to face with a small patrol of giants.
See Gristlecrack. I said somet'ing was following us.
Standing before you is a huge hill giant with a pair of moss trolls. Stepping out from small outcropping on either side of you step a pair of trolls that begin to growl and slobber. Towering above her allies, Gristlecrack seems more of a mongrel hill giant with dusky gray skin, a thick lower jaw and protruding fangs, and long red hair tied back in a single thick braid.
The giants seem to have been slowed by the presence of even more captives who are tied together behind a set of large boulders.
The huge giant nods her head. Well, get'em up while I signal fer the dragon to pick em up and take em to the Cathedral.
Wren
Torgan
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Gristlecrack
Moss trolls
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Rogzul
Kraygan
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Trolls
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Jorgan
"The Shorn Whiskers have come fer yer hide, followers of the Fiery Beard!" bellows the self-appointed leader as he seems to display some actual divine magic, seemingly fueled by his own sheer belief.
He slams his fist against his chest as wood sprouts from around his ironwood breastplate, giving him more protection.
He quickly draws Agrimmosh and Brinya's Love, while telling Malt to be ready.
Malt holds himself at the ready, hoping to step forward and gore the first creature to get near.
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Seeing a few grouped together Wren hurls a small bit of powder at Gristlecrack. The powder explodes into a mass of glitter temporarily blinding them.
Drawing his weapons Torgan readies Malt to guard the area around him. Malt begins to paw nervously at the ground as Gristlecrack advances with a huge greatclub in her hand. Stepping forward slightly she smashes the club straight down at Torgan.
She grimaces as her club strikes the narrow walls, dropping small rocks all around Torgan.
The Orange moss troll steps up and reaches out with its long dangly arms and claws at Torgan.
Torgan is able to rock Malt back enough to get just out of the trolls grasp.
The Purple moss troll stumbles around towards the sound of dwarves as he claws at his bedazzled eyes. Malt gores the unsuspecting troll as it nears
It quickly glares at the yak as it removes the glitter from its eyes.
Wren
Torgan
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Gristlecrack
Moss trolls (Purple-17; Blind)
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Rogzul
Kraygan
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Trolls
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Jorgan
Rogzul begins conversing with his spirits as his muscles ripple and the his hair grows shaggier.
...grow...fight...kill The spirits are all too eager to lend their aid.
"Surrounded! Great!" Kraygan laughs.
Dropping his lance, he draws Gorum's Thorn and Spurs Haggis into battle.
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Rogzul begins to converse with his spirits as the trolls seem to be a bit unnerved by his armor.
Seeing the trolls a bit caught of by the grotesque armor Kraygan wheels around and slams Haggis into the troll, smashing him against the wall.
The trolls respond in kind as the green troll charges across thepath at Kraygan and Bites at him atop Haggis.
Kraygan is able to block with Gorum's Thorn as the yellow troll bites and claws at him with its incredibly long and sharp claws.
The trolls wounds begin to close on their own as their regeneration kicks in. The troll is able to sink its jagged teeth into Kraygan's leg as it rakes his side.
Wren
Torgan
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Gristlecrack
Moss trolls (Purple-17; Blind)
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Rogzul
Kraygan (61/81)
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Trolls (-4 Att; saves 2 rounds)(Yellow -33)
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Jorgan
Torgan bellows as Gristlecrack and her allies fail to harm him, their clubs and claws glancing harmless off his ironwood breastplate. "HAHA! You have seen the impotence of your god now, giants! Feel the wrath of the Shorn Whiskers!" he bellows before commanding Malt. "TAKE THIS HEATHEN DOWN, MALT!"
After Malt tries to gore the creature, Torgan wildly swings his weapons.
Suddenly the trolls are behind Jorgan before he has time to react. With a whistle he wheels Spirit about as the massive spear Heartspit swings impressively in his new silver hand. He lets out a bellow as he aims for the troll's... well, the heart seems the most appropriate place to aim for
Spirit throws his horns at the troll's midsection.
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Jorgan thrusts Heartspit into the yellow trolls chest, dropping it to the ground. Spirit rams his horns down grinding his barbs into the trolls skin causing it to bleed even more. Jorgan's new barbed spear seems to match the destructive property of his companions horns.
Torgan follows in his brothers footsteps and smashes Aggrimosh into the smaller moss trolls head. The foliage on its toothy snout is knocked clean off as the moss troll falls between Torgan and Malt's vicious attacks.
Stepping behind his larger companions for cover Wren pulls forth his bow and fires an arrow at the green troll.
Wren's arrow causes the troll to stumble in its charge as the arrow finds its place in the creatures hip.
Gristlecrack sighs. I said gather 'em up so I signal the stoppid dragon.
She cracks her massive club over Torgan's shoulder, nearly disabling the young dwarf.
The remaining moss troll yelps in fear as it claws at Rogzul with its incredibly long arms.
The moss troll giggles with glee as it draws first blood on the large orc. Its companion's cracked skull slowly begins to mend itself.
Wren
Torgan (36/71)
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Gristlecrack
Moss trolls (Purple-52)
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Rogzul (58/62)
Kraygan
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Trolls (-4 Att; saves 2 rounds)(Yellow -110; 1 bleed)
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Jorgan
"Hah! That one's definitely yours!" Kraygan calls to Jorgan after he takes down one troll with Heartspit. "Let me take the other one. Ye take that spear n' go help yer brother."
Raising Gorum's Thorn, he begins whirling it in powerful strokes at the troll to his left.
Rogzul draws his Longspear and growls back at the troll that attacked him. His increased size gives him significant reach and he weighs his options. In the end, it's still the moss troll that gets the point of his spear.
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Rogzul's spear easily pierces through the thick foliage armor of the moss troll. Its green blood quickly mixes in with the branches. It snarls and snaps ravenously at the orc before him.
Using Gorum's Thorn Kraygan easily cuts the remaining troll down as Haggis begins to trample upon its body.
The trolls slowly begin to regenerate as the yellow trolls bleeding ceases. The troll that Kraygan just cut down begins to groggily reawaken as its bones continue to snap back into place.
Wren
Torgan (36/71)
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Gristlecrack
Moss trolls (Purple-52)(Orange -23)
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Rogzul (58/62)
Kraygan
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Trolls (-4 Att; saves 2 rounds)(Yellow -106; 1 bleed)(Green -62)
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Jorgan
Jorgan tries to make his way to the other front, letting Kraygan deal with the regenerating trolls. On his way he asks, "Did that one mention something about a dragon? Let's hope that wasn't literal..." He stabs at the other moss troll as Spirit throws his horns into it.
Torgan feels the greatclub nearly crush him into dwarf paste, but he has faith in the power of the Shorn Whiskers. "Only a dragon'd find tha' face worth keepin' around!" he mocks as he spits out blood and a few teeth.
He nudges Malt forward as he keeps his weapons raised, ready to bat away another incoming greatclub.
"Defend yerself Malt!" he bellows to his yak as the creature cautiously edges forward after feeling the transferred energy from the slam.
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Though Jorgan misses the remaining moss troll Spirits barbed horns are able to snag ahold of it and shred through its mossy hide, dragging the giant to the ground.
Torgan urges Malt forward slowly as he defends the yak.
With his spell recalled by the use of his magical pearl Wren attempts to coat the area under Gristlecrack in grease.
The huge giant comes crashing down to the ground. The entire area around the dwarves shakes slightly as she smashes down on top of her club.
AAARGGGH! I'LL MAKE SURE THE DAMNED BEAST EATS YOU!
The moss trolls wounds slowly begin to mend.
Wren
Torgan (36/71)
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Gristlecrack (Prone)
Moss trolls (Purple-47; unconscious)(Orange -36; unconscious)
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Rogzul (58/62)
Kraygan
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Trolls (Yellow -106; unconscious 1 bleed)(Green -62; prone)
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Jorgan
Haggis stomps on the stirring troll as Kraygan shoves a hand into his pack and pulls out the goblin skull bomb he's been carrying around for weeks.
"Fire on the troll!" He calls, and drops it on the monster's head.
Seeing that Kraygan has the trolls under control Rogzul steps over the yaks and their dwarf riders toward the fallen Gristlecrack and strikes out with his spear.
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Haggis' hoof smashes down on the trolls head as it splits open like a pumpkin. Reaching in his pack Kraygan drops a goblin skull bomb down onto the writhing creature, ending its life. In the remains lies a new and fresh goblin skull with menacing glowing eyes.
Rogzul, now enlarged easily steps onto the low stone outcropping and stabs his spear at Gristlecrack, though she is able to roll outof the way at the last moment as the yellow trolls wounds slowly mend.
Wren
Torgan (36/71)
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Gristlecrack (Prone)
Moss trolls (Purple-47; unconscious)(Orange -36; unconscious)
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Rogzul (58/62)
Kraygan
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Trolls (Yellow -102)
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Jorgan
"YER DEATH IS UPON YE!" bellows Torgan as Malt and him pounce on the fallen giantess.
After Malt tries to gore the creature, Torgan wildly swings his weapons.
Acting quickly while Gristlecrack is on the ground, Jorgan urges Spirit forward so they can both attack the aptly-named giant leader.
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Torgan and Jorgan team up on the large giant in her moment of weakness and pummel her to death. Yaks stomp on her body while Torgan adds the blunt force trauma of Aggrimosh and Jorgan skewers her from the distance with Heartspit.
Walking around the camp Wren deals with the trolls regeneration with both acid and fire alike.
With a quick search you find a few items on Gristlecrack.
- A mummified dwarf hand
DC 22 Spellcraft:This is a Hand of Stone
- +1 Shortsword
- Potion of Gaseous Form
- Scroll of Mirror Image
- Gold bowl engraved with images of dwarves fighting giants (400 gp)
- Gold flute (1000 gp)
- A small diamond (900 Gp)
- Opals (2) (500 gp ea)
- 680 GP (136 ea)
- A collection of 14 feet (Dwarven, halfling and human)
Freeing the captives behind the boulders the villagers quickly thank you for freeing them, just as the last group did. You gots here jest in time. Damned dragon flew in an carried Tarram Shinnerman away. The large one der said sometin' bout it was taking em to a Cathedral of some sorts!
Wren
Torgan (36/71)
Rogzul (58/62)
Kraygan
Jorgan
Torgan takes the necklace and dons it. "What do ye think? A fair treasure fer a brilliant prophet!" he says haughtily.
At the mention of the dragon, Torgan's ears perk up. "Hmm... which way did they go?" he asks, intending to follow on yakback.
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Torgan takes the necklace and dons it. "What do ye think? A fair treasure fer a brilliant prophet!" he says haughtily.
"Riiight." Kraygan grumbles. "If yer lookin for somethin disturbing enough to draw attention away from yer unnatural lack of a beard, ye succeeded."
Kraygan questions the villagers, "Did the giants here have some way o' signaling the dragon?" Then to his companions, "Might be we could set a trap fer it."
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Kraygan ponders, trying to think. "Hmm. We gotta find this cathedral. Do ye think ye can make it back to Shinnerman's Fortune?" He asks the piddlespotted villager.
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The villagers nod as they remember the way back and take off at once as it will be dark very soon. With another quick thanks they turn around and begin heading back towards Shinnerman's Fortune.
After about six more miles of traveling via yak the group comes to another crossing just as the sun is beginning to set. One path in the valley heads north while the other continues east with yet another branch extending south a bit.
Jorgan responds to Kraygan's idea by saying, "Well that's no good. Even if we set a trap and called the dragon back, it wouldn't bring this Tarram fella with it, would it? Seems we have to find it either way so that we can kill it and get Tarram back."
Coming to the crossroads, Jorgan makes a suggestion. "The dragon is likely south, if we can believe their testimony. But it's getting dark and I don't fancy fighting that thing at night. I say we move off the trail a bit and strike camp for the night. Rest up and face this dragon bright and early tomorrow."
"Yup. Let's set camp here."
While Jorgan works his magic Kraygan dismounts and unsaddles Haggis. He then feeds and grooms the yak before tending to his own needs.
"Let's set 2 per watch. I'll take first with Wren, then second with Torgan. Jorgan and Rogzul take the third."
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The majority of the night goes by uneventful. The night air in the Valley is peaceful and you can see stars for miles. A cool crisp breeze blows through the valley allowing ease to fall to those resting on the rocky floor.
A few hours before dawn Rogzul catches the sound of something approaching down the path from the south headed west. It's footsteps sound heavy like that of a giant. Small copses of fir trees cling desperately to patches of rocky soil, their exposed roots tenaciously grasping at the earth in knotted tangles as a lumbering two headed giant strides out from around them, followed by a very large cave bear.
The pair walk dangerously close to the camp as they walk past as they seem to be walking in the opposite direction as they head west. The giant seems to be grumbling to itself. Hard to make out what it is saying exactly until it passes near the hidden campsite.
Get all way here to join Storm Tyrant army and he turn me away. ME? The left head says as the right begins to argue. It all yer fault. You did no impress them like I did. All you do is cry in da pit!
The left head wipes a tear as it glowers and raises a flail in its hand. I'll show em how to pound flesh....
Their voices trail off as they continue walking down the trail. Thanks to Jorgan's spell the large bear moves by without smelling a thing!
Rogzul grips his spear tightly as the two headed giant and his bear walk by. He entertains the idea of rousing the rest of camp but knows the value of rest, especially after they day they had.
He does make sure Jorgan is aware and nearby in case they do need to fight and he has Kashag tail them until they're out of ear shot.
"At least now we know what direction to go. I wonder if the ones we killed on the way here were also rejects." He considers briefly that things may start to get more difficult.
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"Riiight." Kraygan grumbles. "If yer lookin for somethin disturbing enough to draw attention away from yer unnatural lack of a beard, ye succeeded."
He asks the piddlespotted villager.
Wren takes his watch and awakes to study more spells, thinking how he will be able to help take down a dragon. Outside of his bow, he has few answers.
Torgan snores blissfully as the bear and ogre walk past, dreaming of killing even more of the large abominations.
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The rest of the night goes by just as uneventful. The morning sun clips over the horizon as the dwarves quickly pack up the camp onto the yaks.
It nears lunchtime as the group slogs through the mountains heading south. The morning goes by uninterrupted as you find another fork in the path. One leading southeast and one leading southwest. The noon's sun's rays are high overhead causing shadows to dance among the many crags and crevices.
Jorgan shrugs from atop Spirit. "I'm guessing one way holds a dragon and the other giants. Or maybe a mixture of both. Let's try east and come back to the other fork if that proves unhelpful."
+2 for giants
"Ye said that two-headed giant was with a bear? Both of 'em came from somewhere these others 'r gatherin. Check fer bear tracks, and follow 'em.."
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Wren only decides on a path once Jorgan has recommended something after careful review of the surroundings. He allows Metalfinger to point the way.
"How is that hand treating you?" Wren asks now that the dwarf has had time to adjust to it. "Have you noticed any side effects? If there are, you should let me know...in case the hand has been infested by fell magics and we need to destroy the artifact by crushing it under the foot of a humble ant."
While they walk, Wren sidles near Rogzul.
"Squats, I have been quiet of recent, but I have been watching. You have been slow to engage our enemies in every fight...is there some way to get you to engage more quickly with our foes? Is there a reason why you dally so?" Wren asks after having watched the half-orc spellcast before entering the fights so often.
Torgan saddles up his trusty yak and charges down the southwest trail at his brother's information. "I'm coming fer ye, giants!"
"Seems to me we need to find the dragon to get that fella back and the giants won't necessarily be cavorting about the dragon. But I guess we might as well kill some giants while we're here and they can point us to the dragon."
"How is that hand treating you?" Wren asks now that the dwarf has had time to adjust to it. "Have you noticed any side effects? If there are, you should let me know...in case the hand has been infested by fell magics and we need to destroy the artifact by crushing it under the foot of a humble ant."
Jorgan chats with Wren along the way. He holds his hand up and flexes it in front of his face a few times. "Nothing bad yet. Coming from a dwarven hero like that, I'd sure hope nothing bad will come of it. But I don't think that's likely to happen. You and my brother can rant and rave about Firey Beards all you want, but I think and good ol' Spirit here are direct proof that someone's looking out fer me. I've been saying my prayers to Gozreh every morning and I think it's been paying off."