As you determining your next moves, the doors to the south open to reveal another fire giant. This one wears a breastplate and casually holds a smoldering flail. He glances at the fallen giant without emotion, then turns towards you. "You really shouldn't be here. Now we're going to have to fight," he says without much conviction. Nevertheless, he begins to whirl his flail as he advances!
Borgol shrugs, "That's what we keep hearing," then rushes forward with his shield raised, doubling in size as he closes with the giant.
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"Just get out of our way!" Flik starts his performance.
Fergus will advance on the giant.
As before Borgol charges in and slams the giant with his shield, knocking him back through the open doorway. Remy leaps in with a flying kick, following up with a flurry. The giant's armor protects him from most of her blows, though, as well as Fergus's attack.
The giant half-heartedly attacks with his flail, but fails to land a hit.
Fergus will attack again.
Why don't you make it easy on yourself and surrender while you still live?
Borgol follows the Giant, stepping in to bring all his weapons to bear.
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Borgol slices, Fergus dices, and Remy pummels! The mighty fire giant crumples before the furious assault and falls at your feet.
He seemed like a reluctant opponent. I almost feel bad we had to kill him. Fergus muses.
"Well, it is a shame, but these giants should figure out that we are more formidable than we appear, if we made it this far." Flik figures there was little chance for negotiating.
Borgol nods, "I'm thinking they're not necessarily dedicated to the cause. Still, Fire Giants tend to be evil by their natures."
Remy shakes her head. "Whatever the case, we need to press on. We have a task to complete."
You continue down the corridor into the next chamber. The floor of this room is decorated with a sculpted map featuring three-foot-high mountains, lakes and rivers that seem to be filled with water, and tiny replicas of cities from which the faint sound of bustling crowds can be heard. Ceramic figurines depicting squads of humans and giants are scattered across the map, more than a few of them knocked over on their sides.
The southern table has numerous maps marked with notes as to what the modern area of Varisia looks like, but even a casual glance reveals the estimates to be wildly inaccurate.
A door exits to the west. A large cot covered in dark furs sits in the northeastern corner of this room. The stone floor swept clean and marked with a shadowy carving of a single, massive rune.
A giant with dead-black skin stands upon the rune. She wears a chain shirt and wields a whip made of shards of ice. "You are intruding upon sacred ground. Who are you? Why are you here?" she demands.
Borgol says, "We're here to liberate this place from the fell spirit that seems to have taken over."
I see the map you have there is a very accurate representation of the Thassilonian empire in its prime. The capitals of each domain are marked with small flags bearing the ruling runelord’s symbol, and it seems to me that the model of Xin-Cyrusian, Xanderghul’s capital city, is the most detailed. Interesting. Fergus says pointing at the map.
Then is a whisper to his companions, Fergus says, Whoever made notes on the maps has no idea that the Thassilonian empire has fallen.
"You come from the outside world, then," the giant says as she looks down at Borgol. "Intriguing. Tell me of this so-called 'fell spirit' you seek to liberate us from."
"There is an ancient wizard hereabouts that is masquerading as a deity--the Peacock Spirit." Flik raises an eyebrow. "He has taken in many unwary people in the area and his schemes threaten to cause great destruction."
"Indeed?" the giant says. "And what sort of people live in the area around here?"
"Cultists, mostly, it seems. Though we have encountered our fair share of others, several of whom were willing to listen to our warning and flee the valley." Flik does his best to be persuasive. Perhaps the giant really didn't know about the Runelord.
"And outside the valley? What is the world like beyond the mountains?" the giant asks eagerly.
Borgol says, "It depends where one goes. There are parts of the world being torn apart as we speak."
"Tell me, then, of the lands that were once the mighty empire of Thassilon," the giant insists.
"A beautiful place now! We call it Varisia. Wide open roads, welcoming towns, beautiful mountains and streams." Flik speaks warmly of the area. "Folks live in small towns mostly, or some of the few major cities."
There are even lands inhabited by giant folk such as yourself Fergus adds.
"I see. And what sort of people rule these lands? What armies or other forces are at their disposal? Who are the most powerful spellcasters in the region?" the giant continues.
Borgol laughs, "Why, the Runelords, of course. At least two still live and are setting plans in motion, in any case."
The giant cocks her head, as if listening to an unheard voice. Her eyes narrow. "My master thanks you. You have been most forthcoming. But I cannot allow you to get any further. It is time for you to die." She cracks her icy whip!
Flik starts dispensing advice, then wryly weaves some verbal magic around the giant, "Time to die already? But I haven't eaten lunch!"
Resisting Flik's spell, the giant quickly casts displacement on herself, obscuring her true location.
Borgol shakes his head, "I don't think so," and casts True Seeing
Fergus will try to attack the giantess.
He misses.
Flik continues to dispence giant-fighting advice, and taps Remy on the shoulder, teleporting her behind the giant!
Remy takes advantage of her advantageous position by launching a flurry of blows, starting off with a defensive spinning kick. Some of her attacks miss due to displacement, but she finishes strong with a critical hit!
The giant grunts in pain. She raises her icy whip to strike at Remy, managing to wound her twice. Though the pain is not great, the whip drains Remy's life force!
Fergus will attempt to hit the unseen foe!
Fergus knows his first two swings just connect with air, but he hopes his third swing connects!
Borgol moves forward, rushing the giant with his shield, his spell cutting through the defensive illusion.
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