(IC) Against the Giants PBP Group 2

[Maxperson]

Kaligan is both relieved that the strange and well, scary Doc was gone AND worried that a powerful ally against the giants would no longer be with them.

Looking around at his companions, Kaligan asks, "Do we head back and seek out the dragon?" secretly hoping that the answer is no.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The news that the Hill Giants were, it seemed, allied with Stone, Fire, and Cloud Giants was terrible enough. The idea that Nosnra could have somehow side-stepped ages of animosity between dragons and giants to have a dragon ally was near to unthinkable.

"I'm afraid that it must be done." stated Lord Falldur, "At least to prove that it is not true. Gods willing."

 

[Kobold Stew]

The Colonel is set to go.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Siersha and Cromby had held an eight-hour shift watching the Steading, and had returned an hour before dawn. Both were sleeping now, but Lord Falldur explained that their report had told of some activity just after the group had left. The alarm gong had sounded, giants had moved about with torches and lanterns. A single giant had gone northward, with two dire wolves.

Eventually the giants had set two piles of bodies on fire, outside each of the courtyard gates. Lord Falldur doubted that either pile would hold the body of the chief, his wife, or their children, who ought to have had a larger, more formal funeral. More likely the bodies of lesser occupants. Orcs, ogres, and lesser hill giants.

 

[Kobold Stew]

"Our destination remains the same. We go in, and this time we go down. There may be reinforcements coming, but we aim to stay ahead of them. It's possible they may be so busy that they might not even be manning the tower right now. Still iour approach should be careful."

The Colonel considers the practicalities of a funeral for a headless leader. The whole thing must be so demoralizing for them. That can only be to our advantage. "There may be no clear new leader yet. That too will be to our benefit."

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Nine hours after they had returned to Culligan's Cairn, the group set out for the steading once more. They had had six hours, or so, of sleep, food, and had sharpened their weapons and mended their armors. Lord Falldur's watcher-scouts were between shift changes, and though a guide was offered, the group were confident that they now knew the way through the hills.

They were making good time along the main route, keeping a watchful eye out for trouble, when the Colonel and Donnell reached the top of the next hill. At each hill, the first one up would stay low, and look over the rise for trouble surrounding area. Here, they spotted for the first time, still a mile away, a castle floated in the air, not far from where the steading would be (though it was still out of sight below the hills).

This was a surprising and concerning sight. But what was more immediately concerning was an eagle, whose wingspan must be a hundred feet or more, was flying over the hills in an expansive circle.

And it had a giant riding its back.

 

[Tonguez]

Kahru was not one to turn down the offer of festivities and though they would be returning to steading the next day he took the offer of sweet drink and rousing song before finding somewhere to relieve himself and then a blanket for the night, one he was happy to share with a willing companion.

He was disturbed early next morning, by a cold and eerie prickling of his skin, like the passing of an unnatural breeze. So awakened he rose and sought out water to bathe in and more to drink, hopefully washing the taste of the previous night out of his mouth and eyes. A good wash and a good run would help the zealot refocus his mind before he called upon the Storm Bear for guidance, and communed with the spirits. Stone, Fire and Cloud Giants plus a dragon, how were they suppose to prepare for that? - especially now with one damned soul down.

Nine hours after they had returned to Culligan's Cairn, the group set out for the steading once more, The barbarian-druid took a flank, scouting wide to ensure their perimeter was safe while the Colonel and his squire took the lead.

It was not long after the Colonel that Kahru spotted the circling eagle, there the barbarian stopped and dropped low, looking then to see what the Colonel signalled back to them…

OOC: sorry for not responding earlier, hopefully now caught up. Going to be making some spell changes post long rest. Do we have a plan?

 

[JustinCase]

Duvrael patiently waits for the Colonel and Donnell to report their findings.

"I was hoping we wouldn't encounter storm giants yet," he whispers.

"Looks like a scout. We could try diplomacy, although I'm not sure it's willing to talk. They're smarter than those hill giants, so don't think you could fool them easily."

OOC: I'm assuming they report back immediately; if not, disregard Duvrael's reaction. I hope we can parlay. How do we draw its attention in a non-hostile way?

 

[Kobold Stew]

The Colonel's hear sinks when he sees the flying Cloud Giant.

"What have we done?" the storm cleric asks of no one in particular. He coughs. When Duvrael speaks, the Colonel answers, "I can draw his attention and make it clear I am unarmed, if we want to try to parlay. I am no diplomat, but if we want to make contact..." he turns and looks back at the sky, "...we have about half a mile. Two-thirds. If not, we should hide."

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"Who is coming? asked Waythe of Kahru, "If it is your enemies, I shall help you to slay them!"

Kahru felt a strong urge to draw his new sword, and it excited him.