Bran absorbs some of the hit with his armor but moves to continue his attack.
"They're retreating! Keep up the pressure!"
Shishka has a look of sudden discovery with a brilliant idea. she quickly reels in her hook and reloads.
I got an idea! she says not really paying attention to the fight and the fact they are winning.
getting a little tangled up in her grappling hook cable, Shishka appears to be tripping over herself trying to reel the thing in, but somehow it seems to be working.
Taking his eyes off the foes for a second he sees the gnome stumbling over herself. "I have to say your idea of an idea is definitely something!" He lets out a hearty laugh and refocuses on the targets.
Bran strikes the wasp he is flanking with Tal'ariel, and Mikail strikes the other. Both wasps are wounded, but still flying.
Tal'ariel is up!
Botting Tal'ariel
Tal'ariel slashes at the wasp.
It's not a pretty swing, but it does the job and cleaves the wasp in half.
The last one flies away.
Ozzyrandion's corpse is still here, although in a bit worse shape than you left it. Any interest in taking anything from it? The head could be proof for the people of Drellin's Ferry (if you think they'll doubt you) or left here on a pole to demoralize the hobgoblins.
Whatever you do, it's about time to make camp for the night.
"Glad those things didn't try to keep fighting. I bet their poison is nasty, though no match for Bran!"
With a little bit of magic, the wasp blood on Tal'ariel's blade quickly disappears, leaving the sword pristine once more.
As if inspired by a muse, Tal'ariel suddenly has an idea. "I'm thinking we should take the dragon head with us. If we want folks to take us seriously, I think seeing us fell a dragon would do it! Let's also take down this bridge, so we're not set upon by hobgoblins at night.
"Ha yeah. I think all of the training has paid off, though I have to say I've been exposed to worse." He starts heading toward the dragon, "I think that is a great idea. If we need to rally we could use this as proof. I would hate for these people to cry direwolf on us and then suffer for their naivety." He looks at the carcass and the gore and turns to Tal after seeing her magic, "Mind using that blade of yours while I get us set up for the collapse?"
Bran starts helping the gnome put her stuff away, "Let's go get this bridge downed."
When you sabotaged the bridge, you had chiseled away some of the supporting stone, putting in weaker wooden braces that would collapse under an army's weight and footsteps.
Bran now ties a rope around one of the temporary braces, and pulls from a safe distance. The brace comes loose, and within moments the bridge collapses, the crack on the surface widening into a chasm. The towers at the corners remain standing; however, the span itself is gone.
Shishka might have liked to use a bomb, but there may not be much time to resupply...
Tal'ariel severs the green dragon's head. It is pretty big and awkward to carry, but Bran can tote it around in a sack as long as he puts it down when there is a fight. (There were horses as far as the Koth pursuit... we can say they ran back to town and you can get them again when you are back.)
You all make camp for the night. Lavinia heals Bran's wounds.
Zelligar and Iris arrive just before the first watch shift begins. They are returning to destroy the bridge if needed -- which you have already done.
"I'm glad you made it back," says the cleric. "We didn't want to leave you stranded.
Iris and I had some trouble convincing the people of the danger. They want to believe they are safe. They want to believe that Koth and this young dragon were behind it all, and now that they are dead the town will be safe. Since you are back so soon, I assume you did find something at Cinder Hill?"
Bran does what he can to take the bridge down and as it falls he lets off a little whistle of satisfaction. Another feat of strength. He starts to help set up the camp, get some food going, and moving whatever logs and stones he can to set up some sort of nightly abode.
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The man hails the halflings with his usual candor, "We did. We did." His voice comes out like stone and he continues. "There was an army Zell, a true army. Camps, siege weapons, dragons, and probably a lot more under the tents. This is more than war, this looks like it may be pure destruction. Judging by their size and the maps, they won't aim for parlay; everyone is either going to be food or worse."
He stops for a moment, takes a breath and centers himself, "Our plan is to stop them at every turn, muster whoever we can to help us, and hopefully break their morale along the way." He hustles over to the decapitated dragon and props it up, "It's definitely not pretty and I'm sure The Strongman may have words with me next time I go for a run, but we need something to show that they can't just take what they want." He lets the carcass down with a thud and continues, "How's Drellin's Ferry otherwise? Have they made any progress with the hobgoblin? Our friends OK?"
Tal'ariel warmly greets the two halflings. "I'm glad you were able to make it back; I just wish they would take our news seriously. The danger is real, and it's at our doorstep. Sorry to just make you turn around again, but I think we all should go back to Drellin's ferry and tell them what is happening, so they can evacuate and block the way across the river. And maybe someone there can tell us who in Elsir Vale would be able to raise an army to defend this land!"
"We've found that these two are capable of helping with our quest, they're more than capable." He points the gnome and aasimar over, "I wonder, do any of you have some help that we can call on? Surely there has to be someone."
"I am sorry, but I was called from the divine spheres to this realm. I do not know who it was that called my mistress and requested assistance, but I was sent to help as I could. I do not know the people of this realm at all, but I am willing to lay down my life to protect them from this evil army!"
Under her breath, she speaks softly.
"I wish Shamsiel was here...we could use his council and power!'
"Well met," says Zelligar to Shishka and Mikail. "We can use all the allies we can find."
To Bran's questions, he replies,
"The hobgoblin told us less than what we know from Koth's map. Drellin's Ferry hasn't seen any more raider attacks, at least.
I think Captain Soranna will believe your report. The others, well, may take some convincing.
We can head back in the morning. Let's get some rest."
Shishka smiles as Zelligar introduces himself, she blushes a little and looks a little embarrassed about that.
she then quickly composes herself, I don't know of any armies, and Terrelton isn't much more that a quiet farming community. but if I can get to my shop, and have enough time, I could work on making lots of bombs. maybe lay a mine field as a defensive perimeter.
she pulls out her notebook, oh yeah, I took notes on the camp we scouted. I tried to be as detailed as possible. she shows Zell the notes she took (which are all written in gnomish)
Zelligar looks at the notes, frowns, then mutters some words of magic and reads the notebook.
"Very thorough. These observations should be useful. Did you actually see blackspawn raiders guarding the command tent? That is... unusual. It would seem that their support from Tiamat runs deep."
He hands it back.
"Your bombs may have valuable uses here, but they also bring to mind a concern. You see, hobgoblins are actually quite fond of alchemy, though they hate arcane magic. I'd suggest taking whatever you can from your shop and hiding or destroying the rest of your ingredients, lest they fall into the clutches of the Red Hand.
As to armies, there are in fact armies in the Vale substantially larger than that of Drellin's Ferry. Let us talk to Captain Soranna and see what might be done."
The night passes uneventfully.
"We'll circle around and catch you back at the town," says Zelligar, "We are going to scout downstream to figure out where the Red Hand will have to cross."
On the way back from Skull Gorge Bridge to Drellin's Ferry, you pass something you must have missed in your hot pursuit of Wyrmlord Koth. In fact, headed back towards the town, it's only about a hundred yards past the spot where you finally brought down the bugbear. So focused were you on your foe that you didn't see this before...
A wide track leads away from the Dawn Way. A massive effigy of some kind stands here, a fifteen-foot-tall humanoid shape made from a sagging moss-covered frame. The thing looks almost like a crude giant-sized skeleton. Birds nest in the massive barrel that serves as the effigy's head.
Bran and Shishka recognize this as a territorial marker for some sort of tribe of giants.
Tal'ariel can tell that this is specifically a marker for forest giants... though they are normally skilled craftsmen and the workmanship on this one seems a bit crude.
"So... It appears the giants haven't quite left." He looks around quickly and then begins to walk over to the effigy. "Not sure what this means for our fortune, but territorial giants generally don't take too well to invading bugbears, dragons and goblins."
"Tread lightly." Even when looking at the rude bone structure he seems wary and ready for combat, and refits his cestae.
Bran takes a moment and looks around for a rock or log. The man lifts it over his head and closes his eyes, saying what seems like a prayer.
"Lets see where this trail leads." He places his burden down with great care, showing little need to hurry it to the ground by throwing it carelessly. "I only joked about giants earlier at that camp, but a sign like this doesn't come by often. We are at a dangerous precipice, and without bravery we will surely fall to the oncoming military."
Shishka looks a little nervous at the mention of giants. I am not so sure we can trust giants. they don't always look where they walk and little folk like me get stepped on a lot.
thinking for a moment, but if they can just form a defense out here that might work. but I'm not any kind of soldier or general. I just want this all to end and get back to my shop. But I'm gonna do what I gotta do to make that happen.
with a sigh, lets talk to those giant fellas, but I will stay out of their way, so I don't get stepped on.
Tal'ariel considers what she knows about forest giants and how friendly or unfriendly they might be.
"Wow, what a crazy sight, a forest giant effigy! Looks a little crude compared to the typical forest giant, though. . . . I wonder if that means something. We could try exploring this path to warn the giants. Let's just hope they don't immediately try to squash us like bugs! I'll lead the way and let you know what I see."
Tal'ariel casts Message on the party so they can communicate, and then scouts ahead.
Mikail knows very little of these beasts, so quietly listens to the others and allows them to decide on their direction.
"If they may make an ally, then we should try and contact them...we need every friend we can muster!"
"Aye we should. If you find something else out of the ordinary about these giants, let us know right away." He moves up to the gnome, "And if they try to get you they'll have to break this first." He flexes a little and tries to encourage her.
Tal'ariel knows that forest giants are skilled hunters. Not particularly tending towards good or evil, they often get along with fey and some other woodland beings.
The elf leads the way along this trail deeper into the giants' territory in the Witchwood.
The old track comes to an abrupt end in the shadow of a fairly large hill that looms up from the surrounding woodlands. At the hill's base sits the collapsed ruin of what was once a massive and probably quite impressive wooden fortress. Entire trees were used to form the walls of this building, but now the whole thing is little more than a heap of moss-covered rotting logs. A thin curl of smoke rises up from a great fire pit in the middle of the old walls, where an enormous boar sizzles on a spit the size of a lance.
A giant sits by the fire, turning the spit and muttering to himself in his own language. He is extraordinarily tall and lean, with stooped shoulders, earth-yellow skin marked by angry red blotches, and a wild mane and beard of tangled green hair. He easily tops ten feet, even when sitting on the ground.
Tal'ariel is about 100' away, and the rest of the party perhaps another 100' behind? How far ahead would she scout? In any event, she can hear him. Every now and then he throws in a Common phrase, punctuated by wheezing coughs.
"Cook, piggy! Old Warklegnaw is hungry!"
Tal'ariel whispers to the rest of the party
"Psst. Giant up ahead, speaks giant and a little common, and calls himself Warklegnaw. He's hungry and cooking a pig! Not sure if we should wait until he's full to approach him."
If possible, Tal'ariel tries to find a ridge, boulder, or other spot where the whole party can see without being observed, and then takes the party there.
The trees and remnants of the walls make it impossible to see the giant much past where Tal'ariel is. There is a boulder just behind her where the party can observe the giant without being too obvious.
Do you wish to all move from where you are to that spot? Stealth checks, please (you can Take 10 if you want).
Okay, Stealth check... Think you are at a -4. Want to Take 10 or roll?
Stealth:
Mikail attempts to move quietly towards the giant so she can assess his spirit, but instead, she stumbles almost right in front of the brute!
Mikail has barely begun to move when the giant hears the clanking of her armor. Despite his obvious age, his ears are sharp.
The giant staggers to his feet, hefting a huge club. As he turns to you, you can see that he lost one of his eyes, probably in battle long ago.
He sees Mikail and Tal'ariel and roars:
Tal'ariel is closer, Mikail further back, and Shishka and Bran further still. I can put up a map tomorrow night if needed but this doesn't have to be a fight... Although it might go that way...
Mikail, casing her innate ability of light upon herself glows in a silvery radiance.
[b]We have not come to fight you Warklegnaw. We do not wish to be enemies and we are sorry for sneaking up on you. I am Mikail and this is my friend Tal. We would like to talk to you if that is ok?
Sense Motive:
Diplomacy:
usure her new friend is truly in danger or not, Shishka does not want Mikail to get stepped on, she jumps into the open about 20 feet away from Mikail and the giant.
Don't worry, I won't let you get stepped on! she says as she fires her grapple hook at Mikail to grab her and pull her back to Shishka
The heck is happening up there? He barely has time to register the message spell before he sees his other two comrades rush ahead. A short jaunt later he stops to view a scene of a gnome trying to grapple in a holy warrior of Iomedae, and a one eyed giant gripping a club.
He chooses to keep his mouth quiet and let the two's strange situation play out.
Mikail's words seem to resonate with the giant, as he begins to lower his club.
Unfortunately, before she can truly persuade him, Shishka interrupts.
The hook catches Mikail's armor and a quick yank by the gnome topples the Aasimar backwards!
Startled, the giant raises his club again.
with the sudden change in attitude, Shishka has to think fast. several ideas fly through her head. suddenly Shishka jumps to her feet.
ta-da she says trying to make the whole thing like a part of a staged comedy routine.
I think that joke fell a little short she adds emphasizing the pun.
Mikail feels a sudden 'thump' on her back, and before she can register what has happened, she is pulled off her feet. Shishka jumps out and yells "Ta-da!" as the giant begins to raise his club.
"What in the nine-spheres are you doing! I am sorry Warklegnaw, I do not know what is happening, but like I said we are not here to harm you. Entertain, maybe, but not harm."
This last she says while quickly looking sternly at Shishka.
Diplomacy (if needed):
The towering figure looks stunned for a moment -- then bursts out laughing uproariously.
His laughing is punctuated by wheezing coughs.
He nods impatiently at Mikail's polite words, then says,
Slapstick, it seems, transcends species boundaries.
Looking back at the gnome with a most disapproving look on her face, Mikail suddenly flashes a bright smile and leaps into the air, wiggling like a fish.
"Oh no, I am caught! I am a magical fish and I will bless you if you help me...but do not harm the fisherman, she is nice and just doing her job!"
The giant looks a bit disappointed that there is no more slapstick, but he relaxes and smiles.
You can see that Warklegnaw has a tattoo on his forehead of a symbol that looks like a frowning tusked mouth.
Mikail is quite certain that Warklegnaw is suffering from Red Ache (caused by an infection of an injury). This isn't contagious, and it progresses fairly slowly in beings of this strength, but it has definitely affected the giant's health and he doesn't look well. It could be cured with the right medicines or with a spell.
The dire boar does indeed smell pretty good. Will you sit and eat with him?
Mikail smiles and nods.
"I would love to, and let me introduce you to the rest of our party. The fisherwoman is Shishka and the 'sneaky' elf is Tal'ariel. Our friend Bran is also here...Come on out Bran...he is a little shy. Oh, and I am Mikail."
Mikhail sits beside the giant and eats his food while making small talk with him. She notices the signs of the Red Ache, and once they are finished talks to Warklegnaw.
"I notice that you have a wound that has not healed well. Would you like me to look at it? I am very skilled in healing, and would like to repay you for your kindness."
Bran gives a chuckle and steps out of the brush. The situation, as bizarre as it was, had worked in their favour. "Just needed to see how you all handled that. Was curious is all... Wait, shy?" He unfastens his cestus and holds his hand out to the giant, "Honestly a lot bigger than I thought. I'm Bran, thanks for inviting us in. The food smells much better than the rations we've been eating. You must know where the best hunting is, someone of your age and stature seems the type."
Old Warklegnaw looks at Bran's cestus for a good long moment, thinking.
He shakes his massive head. Then he nods at Bran's comment, looking pleased.
Shishka appears to to be fumbling about, trying to get her hook reset. setting the gun on the ground and she is pushing the hook into the barrel with all of her weight.
suddenly the hook flies up into the air, sending Shishka falling back onto her butt.
but what goes up, must come down, and.... BONK.... right on Shishka's head.
rubbing her head in frustration she kicks her gun and goes to sit down. I'm hungry, and my head hurts.
To Mikail, he replies,
Reconsidering, he adds,
Bran takes a moment and looks at Warklegnaw as he eyes the cestus. He thinks back to what seems like ages ago and recalls something of interest, "Let's get full first before we talk about why we're here. I couldn't help but notice you gave me one of those old stares earlier," He sits down near the giant, "when I put away these." He lays the spiked leather gloves down on his lap. "We saw a giant pair like this not far from here but they were too big to carry; are they yours?"
The giant looks at Bran. He ponders for a moment, trying to recall, then looks sad and thoughtful.
He gestures to the remains of the fort.
Warklegnaw digs into a leg of dire boar.
Tal'ariel seemed pretty happy to stay in the background for a while. Finally she moves to join the others by the very large, very loud giant. "So how many giants are there besides yourself and Twistusk? I was expecting you'd have a whole clan nearby."
The giant points at the tattoo on his forehead.
Then he points at his chest.
The Wyrmsmoke Mountains are rumored to have many giants, unlike the Witchwood. It's not as hospitable terrain for forest giants, but it puts them further away from conflict with humans.