, if hits,
Again, the Ettin strikes at the little mammoth with his flail but cannot penetrate the thick skin!
Suddenly, the Ettin is hit by an arrow into his right head, the mammoth smashes his knee and Biggerbird's claw cuts the other head's throat!
* *
You only hear a ...
"Erghhhh .... ahrghhrrhhrhh ..." and the large giant drops to the ground like a stone.
Clinging to the foul skin of the Ettin you find a beautiful, glittering golden pendant in the shape of dragon's head which was smeared with blood. You can easily search the rest of the cavern, finding nothing but filth.
Additionally, a ring and several Thassilonian relics are bound to the Ettin's right hand.
The markings which were cut into the skin of the Ettin are diabolic runes which could be used to protect giants from draconic beings with the right focus. Together with the ring as well as the relics, the amulet could serve as exactly that focus. Essentially, you assume that Aureliax would not have been able to protect the town as it would not have been able to harm this Ettin.
The woman that the Ettin dropped is probably Gilda Korgren, the mother of the Tiefling. She also has runes carved all over her body.
Brialla scowls, "Who cut the runes into the woman then? Did the ettin return the 'favour' or is there another force in this plot?"
Brialla holds out the pendant, ring and relics to the others, "What do you make of these?"
Sfrtzz! Ssnort...
Brialla also looks for tracks.
All magic that was used on the Ettin is gone already and only the golden pendant is magical but you cannot discern its abilities. You search everything else but find nothing else.
* *
After you have defeated the Ettin and recovered the golden pendant, you emerge from the cave to find yourselves ... face to face with Aurelliax in her true form .
She is a magnificent mature adult gold dragon whose presence dwarfs your own.
Brialla stares up in amazement, ”Crikey!”
The dragon raises an eyebrow when hearing BiggerBird’s tone ... silence follows for several seconds.
”Thank you, travelers, for protecting the people of Highdelve, and for recovering my amulet. Truly, you are the heroes these people needed. Let me commend you, as well, for sparing the lives of those children that belong to this town ... I will take care that they are loved and brought back to this community!“
The children are either hiding or have fled.
You see the golden pendant levitate in the golden dragon’s direction and it vanishes when touching her scales.
She looks at you for a while.
”Please accept these as a token of my appreciation.“
Four statuettes of gold dragons with diamonds for eyes appear out of thin air and levitate to your hands.
Brialla looks up at the magnificent creature and can't help but think "Or was he delicious?"
The ranger looks about, the squints up at the dragon, "Don't let them depend on you too much. They've become soft. Highdelve needs human defenders as well."
Brialla takes the statuette, "Well, blimey, thank you."
You can see that she is content to see you appreciate the present which truly look identical to her perfect form.
”I took care of the Tiefling. Now,” she says, unfurling her magnificent wings. ”would you care to ride on my back as I carry the cart of brightblooms, along with the children, back to Highdelve?”
++++++++
After the ride of your life you land in Highdelve and can finally enjoy the jubilee!
What you do with the rest of your time ... only you can tell! ;-)