As they head out of the room Dolgrym says, "I have some experience tracking the giant beasts. They've been a thorn in my side for far too long."
He reaches a hand out for the map and says "If I may?" as he looks at the others in the group. If there are no objections he takes the map looks at it and nods. "If we have no other business, let's head out of here."
"Thank you, Prefect Randos. It is good to see not everyone involved is driven by power. We will do what we can. Other than possibly some standard supplies, I am uncertain of anything we should request. And supplies seem to be in short, uh, supply."
"I agree, there's no reason to delay."
"I'm sure we can scavenge and make do with our skills and talents. These Mark's, are they a general idea of an area, or more specific encounters? I mean, did your scouts find 4 individual giant encampments, or just observed them in the nearby mountains?"
Ebixus looks over the map quickly, but without an eye for cartography or geography, he cant begin to estimate the travel logistics.
"South to the mountains, then? Am I reading that right?"
"Well I suppose no time like the present. We may perhaps need to purchase some food before leaving...unless some of you are good hunters and can keep us supplied with food?"
"I can hold my own catching food and whatnot, but it'll slow me down on the trail. Heading into mountains, might be wise to get a pack donkey or something, but it'll probably get killed by the first evil wizard we run into."
"I'm sure we can scavenge and make do with our skills and talents. These Mark's, are they a general idea of an area, or more specific encounters? I mean, did your scouts find 4 individual giant encampments, or just observed them in the nearby mountains?"
Ebixus looks over the map quickly, but without an eye for cartography or geography, he cant begin to estimate the travel logistics.
"South to the mountains, then? Am I reading that right?"
"This general area of the Jotuns was determined by an analysis of patrol reports from the area. It show a likely area that a giant encampment should exist. All of the giant activity seems to come from this region."
"Got it. Head to the area, squat and scout, then kill the biggest giants and evilest wizards. And we keep all their stuff for reward. Seems straightforward, I'm ready everyone."
Ebixus begins heading out the door, shouldering his backpack and adjusting straps to make ready for a long hike.
Can we get some rations and supplies before we head out? Game will be hard to find with giants and such about.
The Prefect thinks for a moment and nods. "I don't think that would be a problem. Why don't you consider what you think you will need to head into the mountains and I will see what I can arrange."
"I've got three weeks of food. Do we think we will be gone longer than that?"
"I doubt everyone here is provisioned as well in the middle of this widespread starvation. Unless you are saying you have enough for everyone for three weeks?"
"Rations are relatively easy in this region as most of the troops dedicated to this problem are based in this area. I will also have the quartermasters requisition some survival gear."
He quickly arranges for the supplies as well as enough horses for the party to make it to the southern-most city quickly. With that you set off to the south. The trip itself will take 4 days to make it to the mountains travelling by road to the nearest city then a comparatively short distance cross country.
The trip south is calm for the most part. The stream of human traffic seen travelling to Istivin has dwindled, with most of the people that would leave their homes having already done so. You see evidence of bandit raids and the sacking of homes while you travel, the number of troops from Keoland being unable to adequately patrol the roads while trying to control the refugees.
"We should keep a close watch. It's unlikely that bandits would be brave enough to challenge us, but you can never tell."
Dolgrym shakes his head at the pillaging going on. "You are correct we will need to watch ourselves. Bandits may think we don't know how to use these weapons and we may run into giant raiding parties soon as well. Best to be on our toes even when we camp."
"The vultures always come out, but they tend to avoid anything that appears too lively. It never hurts to watch, but a group that is well armed and armored is unlikely to be seen as worth the risk."
Ebixus laughs at the thought of bandits or peasants trying to steal their belongings.
"Sure, a watch is reasonable. Best to establish our patterns on security and safety right away. No telling what kind of monsters we'll be facing in the mountains, right?"
He settles his pack and bedroll in the same fashion as every stop this far, then sits down after grooming and unsaddlong hisnmount.
"Any guesses on who or what is in charge of this assault? Some undead wizard person, or a dragon or similar monster?"
As you move south past the city of Mittleberg the terrain become progressively more empty and desolate. The damage is notable, small communities destroyed and ransacked. Small watering holes created from the footprints of giants lay near ruined buildings.
It will be at least another day before you reach the city of Blackbridge and you start moving across country. The ride has been safe until now but who knows how long that will last?
"Those are some big footprints. At least it'll be easier to follow theming they're all like this. I wonder how hard it'll be to chop through a giants femur...like a moose or a bear maybe?"
Ebixus eyes the devastation calmly, scanning the area nearby for any hidden threats or lost refugees concealed amongst the wreckage.
Dolgrym snorts, "If it bleeds it can be killed. Giants are more like chopping trees than normal animals like bear. Just beware of their reach."
"Oh, I got a trick to deal with that. I figured out how to grow all big and stuff, probably be about as tall as most giants, I guess. I mean, as long as I get a moment before we attack. If not, well, I cut low and bring them down to kill them."
"The best way to fight them, I think, is from a distance! A well-placed spell would soften them up for you fighter-types to chop up!"
"Assume they have faced some defenders along the way. They should have some tricks up their sleeves to deal with anything they've already seen. You do, after all, right? But, yes, we should start focusing on being ready to fight the creatures."
"Better to avoid being seen and avoid unnecessary conflict while we locate the true danger."
The road continues south past terrain that has been ravaged by raids. The party meets a patrol on the road that questions their purpose before allowing them along their way. The weather stays dreary and damp, the humidity like a heavy blanket pressing down on you.
It takes another day before you reach a tributary of the Davish River, the bridge damage in places by what appears to be fallen rocks on an open plain. It is almost another full day before you reach the city of Blackbridge. It is here you will be going cross-country to reach the Jotun mountains. The rolling hills will be a hard travel and the Jotuns will be even harder, will you leave your horses here or take them into the mountains with you?
Karl looks at the mountains with a practised eye
looking for the best path. Also the most travelled path.
I think we can take the horses with us for a while, but we should walk them. We should find a place we can leave them, and if we cannot, turn them loose.
When the group sees the damage to the bridge, Fitz examines the damage and the suspicious circumstances of falling rocks on an empty plain.
"Looks like something threw these rocks at the bridge in order to damage it. The giants could be trying to cut themselves off from enemies outside of their mountain homes."
"How many rocks? They had to bring them, so that speaks to an organized supply process at some level. Unusual pattern forming."
Alistair dispels his mount and joins the others in looking over the terrain.
"Well we could probably take your horses over the foothills at least before releasing them. As to the rocks...I had heard that some giants keep such boulders in sacks which they carry with them...much like an archer has his quiver of arrows. Not sure if it is true or not...just something I have heard."
"It's true, I've heard sometimes they carry sacks full of rocks to throw at people."
"The horses are gonna be meat if we run into a giant or two, which ain't necessarily a bad thing. If they take a hit or two from a club or rock, that's one less we take. Plus, horse ain't so bad to eat if push comes to shove."
Dolgrym looks at the map, and thinks about the terrain, "It may be quicker to get to the mountains mounted but once there they are useless and these were given to us by the army. Perhaps if there is an outpost ahead we can leave them there and continue on foot that way they don't become food for something and perhaps they will aid in the local fight."
Dolgrym looks at the map, and thinks about the terrain, "It may be quicker to get to the mountains mounted but once there they are useless and these were given to us by the army. Perhaps if there is an outpost ahead we can leave them there and continue on foot that way they don't become food for something and perhaps they will aid in the local fight."
Kn: Geography: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Survival: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 2 = 28
The majority of Sterich's villages, towns and cities are all built on the western side of the country. The two cities closest to the Jotuns are Blackbridge and Headwater. The former being the northernmost and the latter the southernmost.
"Maybe we should just turn the horses loose."
That's probably an idea. They would likely be a hindrance if we encounter giants.
Karl scratches his chin
This could be a benefit, in a way. I could track the giants back to their lair. Even if it is not their stronghold, we could find information leading to it. Cutie and I will find it.
Karl casts a spell, (bloodhound) and examines the ground with cutie. Carefully examining and sniffing.
(bloodhound and cutie's aid)
That way, he points
"Fine by me."
"Seems like a sound plan. I'll stay close by and keep an eye out while you're distracted with the tracks."
Ebixus draws out a javelin and dismounts, leading the horse while loosely holding the thrown weapon at the ready.
Unconcerned, really, about whether the group walks or rides until the horses all break their legs, Naji watches and listens as the conversation flows. As Karl starts moving with more purpose, the young Baklun chooses to support Ebixus, and help watch for anything in the area of note.
Still upon his shadowy steed, Alistair follows the group, using his height to also keep watch of the surrounding countryside
The tracks lead south-east into the Jotuns in a more direct line from where the party is travelling. The party has a choice. Do they abandon the road they are travelling on to march directly into the Jotuns or do they continue moving south closer to marked portions of their map?
"Well, ranger, how many giants are we tracking? And how old are the tracks? We can break off the road now and follow this trail direct, but we risk getting jumped by someone coming up from the south. Of course, if they're heading back to their lair, we can follow em right back home and scout their camp firsthand. I'm game either way."
Hmm. Bigger than human is the best I can say. Giants are not my usual prey.
He looks forward.
We should follow the tracks
"Lead on, then, Karl. A smaller group might be harder to track, but easier to kill for sure."
When the tracks are pointed out Fitz takes a look.
Dolgrym looks at the tracks and their direction and says, "The are we were told the base is located is more to the south of there. Those tracks are heading southeast. They may or may not head toward where we want to search. If we follow them back to their home and it's not the base there may be a trail from their home to the base. Which way do you want to head, straight to the search area or follow this tracks to their home or owners?"
Fitz determines that the larger set of tracks is from a hill giant and the three smaller sets likely from ogres.
"We were given a guess, and told to find our own way. We have breadcrumbs, now. Better than what we had before. We should accept this gift for the opportunity that it provides."
With a decision made the party makes ready to go head off the road and across the trackless plains, heading towards the mountains that even now you can see as a dark line in the distance. As you ride along the trail begins to get slightly easier to see as the wet ground holds the giants prints well. As the shadows grow longer and the light dims the party sees in the distance a copse of trees that would work well enough for a windbreak to make camp.
This will be your first night in what could be called the wilderness, miles away even from the poorly patrolled safety of the road. The sky dims and the only light is that of the stars and moon.