Andrea stops disolving and manages to heal herself with some slurred spellcasting
28 hp
35 hp
We have got to stop meeting like this.
Finnegan avoids the worst of the acid, but is still burned a bit by it.
"Indeed. Perhaps relying primarily on your divine gifts may be of some help."
Andrea uses a charge of her wand on rook
Who else is injured? Will we be gathering mushrooms then?
"I believe that yes, we are going to gather the mushrooms. Hopefully the Old Beldame gives us something nice for our troubles."
With the threat gone, you may now take your time in braving the stench of the mudbowl to find some rattlecap mushrooms.
Well let us deliver these when we get the chance, no sense hanging around here.
"Agreed. We've gotten what we came for." Finnegan will be quite glad to get out of the smelly mushroom field.
"Aye, this place is worthless to us, except as a punishment for others.
Or a place for brick material. Andrea uses a charge of her wand on Radomir
We might as well head for him, I need a rest anyway.
Alexander frowns and coughs slightly, Best to clear this place out entirely. He chuckles, A little bit of work and it may make good farmland.
Instead of crossing the wide Tuskwater, you instead choose to go south-east to cross the smaller Shrike River in order to finish exploring the Southern borders of your territory.
Shortly after you for the river, you all can see a large figure wandering along in the distance. Using the nearby trees for comparison, you guesstimate the humanoid looking figure's height to be roughly 10 feet tall. It appears to be walking in the direction away from you and does not appear to have noticed your group as of yet.
Hill giants are the most nomadic of all the humanoid giant species, preferring to travel from one settlement to the next in order to raid and pillage. While they prefer temperate climates, they’ll travel far from their preferred environment so long as the raiding is plentiful and successful. They are, as a whole, incredibly selfish creatures and rarely engage in battles they don’t automatically know they’ll win. Hill giants are known for shoving one another at terrifying foes and won’t hesitate to sacrifice a clan-mate to save their own skins. Roving bands of hill giants are common in temperate hills, and their constant aggression makes them one of the more feared dangers in this climate.
Solitary, non-evil hill giants are very rare but can sometimes be found in other humanoid societies, though they are almost never accepted in central cities or population centers. They do best as laborers and soldiers in outlying frontier towns, and often serve as rudimentary diplomats to negotiate with marauding hill giant bands. Unfortunately, hill giants who shed their racial lifestyle for civilization are mocked and often killed on sight by their nomadic brethren. Still, these “civilized” hill giants can find their place within society and many have managed to live peaceful, uneventful lives.
Might this be some kind of giant or ogre?
"Could be. Whatever it is, it's certainly a big 'un."
My Lord, that is a hill giant. They're nomadic, uncivilized brutes, craven and selfish to the core. They'll sacrifice their own clanmates to save their own worthless hides. If there's one, there are likely to be others around. Some can be taught to accept the benefits of civilization. If this one could be tamed, it would make a useful soldier or laborer. We could even use it speak with other giants on our behalf. If it could be tamed. Radomir's grim tone speaks volumes to how likely he thinks that prospect to be.
Alexander nods as Radomir speaks. We shall see. Come, let us find out what this Giant wants. Alexander dismounts and prepares to approach cautiously. Mr. Rook, Othniel, and I will scout it out and make sure it's alone. Stay back and prepare to charge if it decides to be hostile.
Aye, my lord. True to his lord's commands, Radomir, stays within charging distance, lance leveled and at the ready, and allows Alexander to take the lead.
Andrea gets her crossbow ready, not wanting to get into squishing range.
Given the size of Giants, those of you scouting around are fairly certain the Giant you see is the only one in the area.
It also seems rather preoccupied and so far hasn't been inclined to notice any of you. He even seems to be muttering under his breath about something in what is likely the tongue of giants.
Finnegan ghosts through the terrain towards the giant, keeping enough distance that he isn't in easy whacking range, waiting to see if Alexander chooses to challenge it. He studies the giant, as well, so he can be ready if it turns out to be violent.
Alexander approaches quietly, stopping within shouting distance. Othniel, Mr. Rook. Remain hidden and...well, you know what to do.
Before moving forward, Alexander rummages through his pack and pulls forth a scroll. I sure hope he speaks common, but just in case... The tall man stands upright and moves forward and away from his allies to not draw attention to them. Hello! Hello there, fellow traveler!
The tall figure slowly turns around, interrupted in the midst of drinking something out of a large jug with fumes emanating from it strong enough to make your eyes water. He upends the jug finishing off whatever was in it and then sighs very loudly.
He then looks down at Alexander, frowns, sighs and then starts talking in Giant.
Alexander frowns, You don't happen to speak Common, do you? If no response is forthcoming, and the giant doesn't attack, he'll unfurl the scroll he pulled out and read. I knew this would come in handy.
Hello there! How are you, fellow traveler? You seem troubled. Anything we can do to help?
The what you now know to be a semi-inebriated giant suddenly just plops down on his giant backside and starts to blubber and cry.
Andrea rolls her eyes. Will he be needing a hankie and cuddles?
Radomir shakes his head. [b]Disgraceful. But, a weak will could be broken to our needs.[/ooc]
Alexander will, of course, translate for the others. Trolls, you say? What do they know of a Giant's strength? Tell m more of these foolish trolls and perhaps we can come up with something clever to teach them the error of their ways.
The giant sniffles a bit more. " Hargulka tells the others what to do and he said I wasn't good enough to join them. Said I was too big and fat to fit underground with them too. Stupid trolls. They didn't even dig those tunnels to start with, they were already there."
Well, now you've got me curious. How large is this group? And where are they? It sounds like maybe these tunnels should be put to better use than home for some ignorant trolls.
They just don't appreciate a big strong giant so they are the stupid ones. Hargulka big chief of trolls?
The giant tries to think so hard he forgets to keep blubbering. Instead, he tries counting on his fingers so he can answer Alexander's questions. In Giant: "Uhmm, one, two, three...Uhm, is it still one troll or two if it has more than one head? And just the trolls? Hargulka is a giant, but he tells all the trolls what to do. I don't know why he'd rather boss around a bunch of trolls but not let me join in too! It's just not fair."
Now that he's stopped trying to count, he starts blubbering again.
Finnegan remains hidden in his location, listening to the giant blubber. Geez, I though giants were supposed to be tough, not whiney.
So a whole buncha trolls and Hargulka the giant. Perhaps we can see if they need to be dealt with.
Radomir sneers behind his helm at the giant's weakness. But, he refrains from commenting. His lord seemed to have this well in hand. Perhaps, later, they could tame the giant for their use. Else, he would make an excellent example and demonstration for the populace.
Well, where is this place? Perhaps we'll have to visit and explain to them their error. Alexander says, reassuringly, Until then, what are your plans for the future, friend?
The pathetic giant waves vaguely westish. "Back that way, past the territory of the lizard people, past the territory of the dragon, then you find the old ruins they have taken over. They've been making trips out and killing and eating anyone that they find. Last I heard, they was plotting how to take over some old castle that some people had been rebuilding up to the north from it. Think they said there was some tasty fae in it and other humans people."
"I don't know what my plans for the future are."
A Dragon? Well, good sir, you seem to know a lot about these woods. And, if you've no plans...perhaps you'd like to work for us? We have use for a clever giant who might know his way around the woods. And, maybe kill a few things that bother us along the way.
Turning back to Radomir, What do you think? Can you train him? I imagine he can hit rather hard.
We can no doubt have him have a cow for a meal now and then, plus plunder.
My lord, he will be tamed, or he will break. Either way, his threat will be stopped. He has committed crimes against your law. You decree that his punishment is to serve your interests and defend the realm he preyed upon. So be it.
Make a good guard for our prison
Are you interested, friend? We could use someone with your strength. What is it that you desire? Gold, vengeance? We can provide either if you are willing to serve.
"I'm out of moonshine and I can't find any blue wolfberries to make more. Do you have any moonshine? Lots of food? Gold is always nice too. Are there any lady giants around here? Those things would make me want to stay around here and be helpful."