"Seems were deep in hostile country now, lads. Be on the lookout and we will kill anything that looks sideways at us. Just like that last ambush, right?"
Ebixus travels with a javelin loosely held, trying to scan for trouble from any direction.
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"I think that makes sense. We can keep a close eye out for more dumb giants on the way."
"Release him or slay him, I dont care one way or the other. If he runs to the others they may do our job for us, as a reward for his weakness and cowardice." Ebixus stands back and draws his sword, ready for betrayal from the giant.
"How many giants, and what type are they? And do they have any spellcasters or alchemists or the like?"
"Well that fight went a lot easier than I thought it might. Are these giants just weaklings and losers? I always heard they were quite the dangerous foe, but this one and his pals went down like soft butter."
"That went a lot more smoothly than i thought it would. These giants cant be the super tough ones, right? More like their mooks and losers,eh?" Ebixus steps up and helps restrain the downed giant with some ropes. "Amyone speak their language? Maybe we can put the question to this one?"
If able, Ebixus charges off to strike the closest giant. If not, he runs as fast as he can to be in position for next round.
"If we are running down giants, let's go!" Ebixus uses his first round movement after downing the giant to head that way. Once everyone breaks into a run, he follows suit.
"Pathetic!" Looking down at the injured and prone giant, Ebixus reverses his blade and delivers non lethal strikes with the pommel. to hit, for to hit, for to hit, for #1 confirmation: to hit, for additional
"Surrender, monsters. You dont need to die today, much as I'd like to see that happen." Ebixus speaks in Common, which means the giants probably have no idea what he says.
Now fully enlarged and wielding a nearly 8' long blade, Ebixus moves with surprising speed towards the giants. He chooses the held one for his first victim, bringing his greatsword down in a vicious overhand strike. to hit, for slashing damage With a much deeper voice than previously, he laughs as he strikes. "This is your doom, giants. Tell your fallen brethren who sent you to hell!"
"Maybe these idiots are smart enough to surrender. If not, I guess we'll just chop the arms and legs off the last one and make him talk. No big loss either way." Ebixus grins behind his helm and he feels his magic grow his body and equipment to match the giants' size.
Ebixus remains where he is, sword in hand. Laughing, he begins chanting and growing in size to match the height of the attacking giants.
"Cant hurt, right? So long as you stay close enough we can bail you out if you get jumped."
Ebixus draws a javelin and holds it loosely in his right hand. "Any foolish giants who wish to deliver themselves to my blade will not live long to regret that decision. But I agree, we should watch for strikes from the rear or flanks."
"Well, now we know to look out for hill giants, right?"
"Well hot damn. There's something these big fellas are scared of? Sound like something we're gonna want to kill right fast. Do they know where they are? Or what kinda baddies they are? Those might be useful bits of info." Ebixus continues to gear up and get ready for monster slaying.
"I am Ebixus. We are out here to slay monsters and evil wizards. And you lot appear to be neither. Tell us where they are, since you obviously flee something hostile, and we will go end them." Ebixus starts strapping on his armor and getting his gear ready as the giants converse, confident they wont immediately attack under the truce flag.
"Zzzzzzz..."
Ebixus can use the rightmost icon on the upper row for "humans" since is looks shiny and has a greatsword
"I'll take first watch, unless someone wants to do that instead. If any of you wizard types need more sleep, speak up, no sense in you not getting all your magic stuff back." Ebixus sets up his bedroll and stands his sword and armor next to it. "Those shelter magics would be nice, too. Especially if it'll keep eyes from spotting us."
"Lead on, then, Karl. A smaller group might be harder to track, but easier to kill for sure."
"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."
"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.
"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."
"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."
"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.
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?"
"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.
"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?"
"I can track okay. It's not specific to giants, per se, but they aren't usually known for stealthy moving over ground."
Ebixus looks at the man threatening him, then o er his shoulder at the rest of his team. After a long moment, he shrugs and turns towards the door, heading out. "Let's go kill some monsters."
"I'm Ebixus. The kings proclamation said you were looking for monster killers. I'm one of those." Once again, he delivers the simple statements with a flat effect, eyes narrowed and scanning the people in the room.
"The kings agent is expecting us. We are here to answer the kings call and slay monsters and evil wizards. Can you point us where he or she is, please?" Ebixus smiles coldly, his voice precise and polite as he speaks with the guard.
"Works for me, I guess. With all these magics, I can't imagine anyone is gonna find us out here."
"Shelter is always nice, if only to conceal us from prying eyes. A sneak thief can carry away plenty valuable gear before you even know it's missing." Ebixus settles into his spot, sitting cross legged and at ease on the ground. "Anyone telling just why these baddies up and started a ruckus? I mean, giants terrorizing the common folk and monsters taking livestock, that's nothing new. Hells, that's what I've made my living on in one way for another. But an army of monsters all headed the same way? Like you said, Karl and Fitzroy, that ain't normal."
"Appreciate that, Alistair. Forgot how nice it is to have a mage with you on campaign. Dry socks and clean gear makes for lots better morale, and no trenchfoot or nothing like that. That'll make this trip a lot more pleasant."
Ebixus sets up his bedroll and pack in a fashion any soldier or mercenary will be familiar with, unpacking and repacking his gear to rotate undergarments, remove debris, and perform general maintenance as needed. He looks over his little area and checks his mental list of tasks, then shrugs. "Had better days, to be honest. The rain and grime kinda makes for a crappy ride, but at least no-one is shooting at us. Any of you lot familiar with heavy armor, specifically plate?" He taps his breastplate as he sets his weapons down nearby his bedroll. "I could use a hand taking the old shell off for rack time, unless you'd like me to keep first watch. Either way works for me."
Still interested with Ebixus
Ebixus, having tagged along with Horek as he moved through the woods, and grateful for the shared shelter from the storm, heads towards the announcement area. "I hope they we announce the sortie teams and get this expedition on the way. I crave the chance to test my blade against these giants and all the other monsters I've been hearing about."
Ebixus looks out at the lashing rain and driving wind, then turns and grins at the shaman. "I'll gladly take you up on that offer, Vakmu. Thank you. The nastiness outside wouldn't be an actual danger to me, but theres no sense getting cold and wet if you can avoid it." The blue eyed man heads out with the elf and anyone else heading out to sleep underground.
"Oh right. Merc work I get, easy enough. Done plenty of sword for gold soldiering in the past, what's a bit more. Besides, these giants and monsters, they gotta be some of the deadliest and nastiest things to fight around. And that is exactly where I'm gonna be."
"Shaman, huh? That mean you talk to trees and birds and stuff? Seems like you'd be far far away from a hellscape like this warzone. How come you're in town helping out humans?"
"Oh yeah, if you've got magic for shelter, that'd be great. I was figuring I'd just rough it in the lee of a house or something, but that sounds grand. How'd you learn that kinda magic, anyways? Is that elf stuff, or are you one of them wizards?"
"Hoy, you lot. Seems the giants dont gotta pick fights here in the tavern, plenty of grumbling and sword measuring going on. Dont matter much in the end, those monsters and giants out there will take cars of squads that don't work together. And a messy violent death at the ace or club of a giant ain't the worst way to go." Ebixus leans over and peeks out the window, looking towards the horizon then the clouds above. "Rains coming in. Probably some nasty wind too. If ya ain't secured a place to stay, I suggest ya do so soon. Wont be nice weather to stand around with your thumb in your mouth."
Ebixus walks, more like stalks into town, dragging a large bag behind him. A pair of antlers peeks up out of the rear of the makeshift sledge, with a tiny trickle of red following. He brooks no interruptions or delays as he heads towards the inn. Wearing shiny full plate armor with a dragon-faced great helmet enameled blue on his head, Ebixus cuts a distinctive figure in the mud and grime of the rest of the town. The hilt of a greatsword sticks up over his shoulder, alongside a small selection of dark wooden javelin shafts. One of those still bears streaks of red near the head. He stops as he approaches the inn's front door, then sighs as pulls his quarry along to the rear entrance. Banging on the doorjamb, he calls out to the kitchen staff. Oy! I got another elk, should be good for a few meals and whatnot. I'll be in the front." Ebixus stomps back around the building and pushes his way into the main room. He takes in the newcomers and locals alike, plastering a smile across his face. A close look at his brilliant sapphire blue eyes shows a flat, cold gaze, obviously the eyes of a man used to fighting and killing. He moves over to the large group bickering about magic and giants and all. "Newcomers. Any of you lot here for merc work, gonna group up to go kill monsters and giants for the king? Names Ebixus, and the sooner we get out to dropping the walking coin-purses that used to be monsters, the better." He pulls a chair over, fishing up a small and battered cup and pouring water from his waterskin into it. "So what's the score, you lot traveling together or what?" |