Having run into some friendly rangers, not-so-friendly rangers, downright unfriendly rangers, and even an ex-ranger in the Hook Mountains, the party heads back down from the mountain peak to the bucolic coastal city of Sandpoint for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Just one problem: all the stone giants.
Good ol' rock. Nothing beats rock!
The defenses of Sandpoint are clearly no match for these giants, but we're sure you're up for the challenge. While it might seem like the best way to beat a creature of great size is with overwhelming numbers—and certainly neither an inspirational song from Lem nor a helpful sword blow from Valeros would be refused!—canny giant-hunters like Harsk can tell you all about the dangers of grouping up against giants. Much better to find a good vantage point for a well-placed shot. The eyes, throat, and knees are all excellent targets... if you can hit them.
But let's back up a second (if we can afford a second) and find out what's going on here.
Doesn't anyone STAY saved?
While you were up in the Hook Mountains ending Barl Breakbones' threat to the area (along with his life), the giants apparently had plans of their own. The stone giant warlord Teraktinus is leading a host of giants against the city, bombarding it with flung boulders and literally tearing apart Sandpoint's walls, buildings, and citizens. As you arrive, the siege is already underway, and the pressure is on. The giants' apparent aim is to reduce the city to rubble, and you'll need to hurry if you want to stop them and save Sandpoint.
Down here, tracking and sniping giants is all well and good, but some people prefer to do their giant-slaying up close and personal. For those people, we present the giantbane dagger.
Merisiel-recommended. Harsk-approved.
Though it's perfectly capable of stabbing goblins, humans, elves, ranger-wights, and dragons, this little beauty prefers to dine on a steady stream of ogres, trolls, ogrekin, and giants of all flavors. Err, kinds. As Ameiko's brother Tsuto once said, "The death of a thousand cuts need not require a thousand blades." Or, as Merisiel often says, "Mine!"
Killing, stabbing, shooting, and bashing are all fine, but sometimes things don't go your way. When that happens, you want Kyra, Lem, Seelah, Lini, or maybe even Harsk to have one of these, and they want it too.
And it didn't even take my whole turn!
Oh, one more thing: Did I mention that the stone giants brought a dragon?
Giants smash, dragons burn.
Yeah. They brought a dragon. It's sure to get toasty around here (unless you're Sajan. Sajan cheats.), but with a bit of luck, or perhaps some magic, you might be able to fight dragon-fire with dragon-fire.
What could possibly go wrong?
Now, sometimes you're happy to gain a boon if you roll well, and content to make progress if you don't. Other times, you really want to succeed. This ally is worth the investment (and not only because he doesn't like it when you fail!)
That's just a sampling from the start of Fortress of the Stone Giants, where you finally get to try out those shiny role cards you've been looking at for months. You'll go on the offensive, taking the fight to the giants of Jorgenfist and learning a little something about the forces behind all the troubles of the previous adventures. But please, remember one thing: when you hear flapping wings and screeching in the tower, that wasn't my fault.
Well, maybe a little.
Thanks for playing!
Chad Brown
Pathfinder Adventure Card Game Developer
