Sheriff Hemlock looks at the three prisoners. "Very well. You will have your freedom...once you answer our questions. Answer truthfully, and you will be escorted to edges of our land. Lie to us, and well...let's just say I have no real authority over that dwarf standing there..."
The giants look from the Sheriff to Thordak, then back at each other. While they do not appear to be overly intimidated, neither does any of them want to tangle with the one who killed their leader. Sheriff Hemlock nods.
"Good. We have an agreement. I will start: Where did you come from, and why are you here?"
Sullenly, the first giant speaks: "We come from Jorgenfist. And we are part of the advance parties scouting this region."
Belor Hemlock nods again. "Good. But why Sandpoint?"
"Teraktinus had a 'special mission' from our lord. He didn't say what it was. He promised us loot and slaves to be had in the raid."
"Where is your master now?" Lym asks in a low tone. "And is he planning to go anywhere else in the near future?"
"He is at Jorgenfist. He awaits our return."
"Does he have a hold there? A cave complex? What are his defenses?"
He tells Kellen. "I knew it. No one has been able to prove anything before, but we all knew. Show it to the sheriff. He'll know what to do."
Kellen nods. "Fair enough; just thought I'd check with you first - you know this town better'n me. Also, the Sheriff might be more receptive to receiving mystery papers accusing a prominent family from a local hero than some stranger who just showed up."
On the ride back, he also points to a large rock stashed in the wagon - about the size of man's head craved in anicent runes. "I found that on the giant leader. It seems to have Thassilonian and magic runes on it, but I don't what it is. Any ideas or seen anything like it before?"
After they retrieve the woodsman's body (any info from Father Zantus on who he is?) and get back to the church, he'll make it a point to see the Sheriff and give him the documents - assuming Tomaru doesn't do it instead.
Aurora shifts from foot to foot as the conversation moves on. For now she puts her concerns in a box in her mind, out of the way so she can focus on the task at hand.
She nods solemnly and drifts closer to the others as they interrogate the giants, listening to Lym's questions and the giant's answers. Knowing that the others in the group understand the larger situation in more depth than she could given their experience, Aurora is content to listen and learn.
"Are there any among your people who resist his rule? Any outside enemies of note? And where exactly is this Jorgenfist? Which ways lead there?"
As Thordak searches for anything of value upon the giant, his effort proves futile. "Nothing? That doesn't make any blasted sense. I'll check with the others ta see if they've cleaned ya out already." As he turns to leave, he gives the dead giant a good swift strong kick. And then he gives it another. And then another. And another. And then one more for good measure before finally moving over next to the others.
Looking from the group to the giants and back again, "What'd I miss? Do I get ta kill 'em yet?"
"Jorgenfist is what Lord Mokmurian named it. It is a ring of stone overlooking the river. What is inside, we do not know. It is forbidden to enter. Only Teraktinus had been inside." The giant rumbles. "The army waits outside. To go to war."
He looks at Lym. "The elders do not agree with us, they believe we should live as we always have. They are weak. It is our time - and Lord Mokmurian will see to it that the Plateau People are victorious."
"Where may we find these elders?" Lym asks. "And how many side with them?"
I just had a Gamers flashback.
I steal his pants
I just had a Gamers flashback.
I steal his pants
"They do not matter. We have abandoned them to follow Lord Mokmurian. They either are left alone with their ancient ways, or they are dead. My lord killed those who questioned him. In some tribes, he just killed one to show his power. We followed without question."
Sheriff Hemlock interjects. "That will not work." He says to Lym. "My people, the Shoanti have lived and warred amongst these stone giants for centuries. They do not side with the 'little folk' as they call them. He turns to the giant. "This Jorgenfist, where is it and how do you get there?"
The giant looks carefully at the Sheriff, recognizing his heritage. "It is in a place forbidden, Shoanti. The Valley of the Black Tower."
Belor Hemlock is clearly taken aback by the information. you can see he knows the name, but he covers his dismay quickly.
"What all do you really know about this leader of yours?"
"And how many of there are you lot? And what in the blazes is 'The Valley of the Black Tower'?" Thordak interjects with his own questions.
Not wanting to crowd the conversation, Aurora keeps quiet and doesn;t address the giants directly, but leans in to Lym to whisper
Are these giants perhaps due to meet somewhere after this raid where they would be expected and we could perhaps tie up any loose ends? Do they know where the dragon might have fled?
Lym asks the questions suggested by Aurora...
The giant's voice grinds like stone on stone. "I already told you—he’s our lord and leader. He promised us glory and riches, and although our raid on your town didn’t go so well, that’s because Teraktinus was a fool. When Lord Mokmurian marches down from the Storval Plateau, he will take from you everything. I have only heard him speak from afar, and have only heard from others of the power of his magic. He is the rarest of us all, a child of the stones who has mastered the magic of the Ancient Lords. They say he can turn the living into immobile stone and can turn his own flesh into granite armor. I’ve even heard he can cause the very stones of the world to quicken and pull those who stand atop them into a tomb below the earth. And I’m sure he can do much more than that."
His face takes on a faraway look, like one who is enraptured by visions of glory. "The Ancient Lords are gone now, but our elders tell us they once ruled over our ancestors, enslaved them, forced them to build the monuments that grace Varisia even today. Many of my brothers believe that Mokmurian is one of these Ancient Lords risen from the past to rebuild his empire"
When Thordak speaks, he snaps back out of his delusions of grandeur. "Mokmurian has claimed a place taboo to my people: the Valley of the Black Tower in the Iron Peaks. He calls his fortress Jorgenfist, after the name of the fortress that guards the entrance to the afterlife. Our elders found the name blasphemous, but Mokmurian is powerful enough not to fear blasphemy. He has at least seven tribes of under his command, with each tribe numbering in the dozens. The number of lesser kin he’s conscripted—ogres, hill giants, ettins, trolls—is not insignificant. He also enjoys the support of several lamias—degenerate followers of the Mother of Monsters. He sent several scouting parties, of which my band was but one, into these lowlands to gather intelligence. He does this to prepare for his coming attack. His fury will come soon. Perhaps even by month’s end."
Then he responds to Lym's second questions: "We were due back at Jorgenfist soon. As for the dragon, he dwells in a cliff cave high above the valley."
He folds his great arms across his chest. "That is all I know. You may release us."
There is a silence as you digest what he has told you. Clearly he is not lying - in fact there is an air of contempt about his statements - as if he doesn't think you can do anything about it anyway.
After a moment, Sheriff Hemlock steps up. "Go. You have my word you will be safe from harm leaving here. But if we see you in the region again, your lives are forfeit."
"You will see us again," the giant rumbles, "in a months time. Then we will see about your boast." Then the three giants stand and stretch. They take a long look around, and stride off down the lane and across the river out of sight.
"A Runelord whose greatest achievements are Stoneskin and Flesh to stone? I think not," Lym scoffs once the Giants are gone. "But forewarned is forearmed. We are going to need the Stone to flesh-spell when we go to slay Mokmuriwhatsit. Or better yet, Break enchantment."
Once the fallen are cared for, and you are all gathered back at the town hall in Mayor Deverin's office, it is time to take stock of what has happened, and what the plan is going forward.
"We suffered surprisingly little damage and loss of life." Mayor Deverin begins. "Thanks in no small part to your actions. We are in debt to you once again." She smiles and nods at each of you.
Father Zantus nods solemnly. "While the losses of the Scarnettis are a blow to Sandpoint, we will endure. I have sent word to his son in Magnimar."
"Two noble families of the region decimated within a year." The Mayor says ruefully.
"The Kaijitsus and the Scarnettis." Father Zantus says.
"Three. If you count the Foxgloves." Sheriff Hemlock adds.
There is a silence as that revelation sinks in.
"We now know there are greater designs for Sandpoint - for all of Varisia. The question is: what do we do about it?" Mayor Deverin asks.
"The name of 'Blackhand' is not written down in the registry of the nobility," Lym says, "but I still want to live here. If you will give me leave, I will annihilate Foxglove Manor and build my own house there. Maybe I will have a family, maybe others will take up my home, instead.
But regardless, I want to live here in Sandpoint. I want to live in Varisia. I will do all that I can to keep this land safe -- to keep the world entire safe, for the threat surpasses Varisia. Ultimately, we must deal with this Runelord. In the immediate future, we must stop this army of Giants before it can mobilize. Capturing or vanquishing Mokmuwhatshisface seems like the simplest way. Deprive the warmongers of their figurehead, their link with the Runelord's evil.
Still, Sandpoint's defences need to be improved. Tomorrow, I will try to call a defender from the Beyond to help here while we are away. If we stay more than one day in preparation, I will try for construction workers. Um. Provided you do not mind."
"I tell ya what we're gonna do about it, we're gonna find us an army of big un's and we're gonna finish 'em! THAT'S what we're gonna do about it. But the lass is right though. If we cut the head off the snake the body is left ta squirm. We find this Mockface guy and we put 'im down," he says in a way that makes it sound far too simple. "We'll be home by dinner," he finishes, shrugging nonchalantly.
Kellen takes the time now to present the documents involving Titus Scarnetti with Jubrayl Vhiski to the Sheriff and Mayor. "You may want save your concerns about the Scarnetti's at this point...seems they were hip deep in causing this town trouble. Maybe look at getting the Vhiski fellow out of your town as well. I'd guess he's Sczarni from the look of it."
He pauses and turns towards the Sheriff. "From what I gather in the interrogation with Giants, you seemed to know something about this Valley of the Black Tower they mentioned. Do you know enough to tell us how to find it?" He looks towards the rest of the town's leaders as well now. "Ain't much I can do about your nobles, but seems to me the first step in keeping Sandpoint safe is to find their base - maybe scout it; break supply lines; and take out the leaders if we can manage it..." He also turns at Thordak's suggestion and adds with mild smile:"... or maybe we'll just do that instead."
He finishes with the dour comment and look towards Lym: "I have the feeling Magnimar won't be sending you any support before they attack - we're alone on the front lines here. So any thoughts the wizard has on shoring your defenses I'd suggest you take as a good one."
Tomaru's thoughts on the Scarnetti's is known by this point. He does not think highly of them. His rolled eyes at Kellen display of the documents is a surprise to no one in the room.
Kellen takes a moment to retrieve the stone he found on Tetrakanus and also presents it to the assembled officials.
The stone is a head-sized boulder covered in ruins - some combination of arcane and Thassilonian. "One more thing, I found this on the body of the raiders' giant leader. It strikes me as a curious object; I'm guessing this might be what he was after during the attack. Have you ever seen anything like it before," he asks of the Sheriff, Mayor, and Priest.
The stone and its markings are nondescript. It is not magical, and there are no secrets in the writing. As far as you can tell, it's just a chunk of stone with runes on it.
Mayor Deverin takes a moment to skim the papers from Kellen. Her countenance is one of consternation, but ultimately she looks up and sighs.
"Jubral and the Szcarni are known to us. This is the first piece of hard evidence against him. We'd have run him and his gang out years ago, but Titus always seemed to argue against direct action. I guess now we know why."
Sheriff Hemlock adds: "It would appear that justice has been served...to the Scarnettis, anyway." He takes a seat, stretching his legs out before him. "The more important matter is this Mokmurian. You are correct, Master Kellen, Magnimar has their own issues, and I would doubt they would send serious assistance. Still, I must go inquire. I will leave as soon as we are done here. As for the defenses, that will not be possible without great magical aid. You have experienced the problem first hand, Sandpoint is not a defensible location. To make it so would require years of building and fortifying." He holds up a hand to Lym's protest.
"The giant said the attack may occur as soon as the end of the month. It will take 3 weeks alone to reach the Valley. If you leave within a few days, you will just get there in time. You also do not have a chance to get an 'army of giants'. Again, time is against you. I have lived on the Storval Plateau, you simply will not be able to convince the giants that remain to help you in time. Stone giants move as slow as rock, my friend." He grins ruefully Thordak.
"I'm afraid we must ask your assistance again," Mayor Deverin says quietly, "you are our only hope against this threat."
The Mayor goes over and opens up a large oak cabinet, fishing around until she finds a large map. It is of Varisia, with towns and landmarks on it. She traces a route from Sandpoint eastward, up through a spot called the Storval Stairs.
"You can take horses for the journey," the Sheriff says, "they can make it all the way to the Valley if need be. To answer your question, Master Wrensler, the Valley of the Black Tower lies along the southern edge of the Iron Peaks, along the Muschkal River. It is forbidden to my people, so that is all I know."
"Can we not use teleportation magic to at least knock some time off this journey? Otherwise, those giants we just let go will beat us there and we'll lose any element of surprise."
Seeing the rock and interested by the runes on it, Aurora hunkers down where it lies and attempts to scrutinise the writing.
She shrugs her shoulders as the trip is suggested
As to the locations and terrain we're discussing, I'm not much good with the lay of the land I'm afraid she apologises to the others but I am happy to join with this venture to intercept the threat before it arrives.
She tilts her head at the mention of horses.
I do however agree with Sir Praxim, it would be of great benefit if we can get there will all the celerity we can muster, the longer we take the longer they have to prepare!
"I can shave days off of our travels with Shadow Walk," Lym says, confidently.
Well during that time, I can get at least some of us to Magnimar to shop.
Kellen glances at map, and points to some of the locations. "How far can the shadow spell or teleports take us? Galduria's a trading town - fairly calm, but it does have a magic academy that dominates the place. Heard it has quite the reputation; maybe a good place to stop for magic items or information if they have seen any giants? After, that the towns on that route get a bit more sketchy up to the Storval Stairs."
"It is not a matter of how far Shadow Walk can take us, but how close it can get us to the target. Aiming is a bit of an issue," Lym explains. "Get me reliable distance and I'll do the math."
The Wizard turns to leaders of Sandpoint.
"Before we go, I really want to try and get you some additional protection: a Shield Archon and a Monadic Deva, if I can get them to come. That, and some Azer, the renowned craftsmen of the planes, to at least bolster Sandpoint's defences -- if you'll agree to let me call for them."
Kellen glances at the map and measures out the distances.
"Galduria's about 110 miles from here; another 135 from there to the Storval Stairs; and roughly 70 more to the Iron Peaks somewhere, if this map is right."
"Well," the Mayor says with some trepidation, "we certainly appreciate the help...but..." She trails off.
"What the Mayor is trying to say is that we can't accept help of 'that' nature." Sheriff Hemlock adds.
Father Zantus explains. "It's complicated. Sandpoint's ties with Magnimar place us firmly in their zone of influence. I'm sure you are aware of the rivalry between Korvosa and Magnimar? You are? Good. What this means that while the two large powers face off both in covert and overt manner, neither is willing to be so obvious as to employ clear and present 'help' from planar outsiders. To do so would be an unacceptable escalation of the situation."
Mayor Deverin shrugs. "It's been discussed before, Lym. Magnimar will not sanction such a thing. Especially for a 'backwater' like Sandpoint. I'm afraid we will have to survive as we always have." She adds with a weak smile.
"My thoughts:" Sheriff Hemlock cuts in to the silence. 'You have several days, use them to prepare for the expedition into the Valley. In the meantime, I will find Shalelu and see what she has seen in the area. I suspect that the scouts will all be headed back to Mokmurian to report. The success or failure of your efforts will be the best defenses that Sandpoint will have."