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Message: <blockquote data-quote="sithramir" data-source="post: 1166121" data-attributes="member: 12183">Shimmering motes of light began to take shape, twirling in a star like pattern in the area directly in front of Gungir. The light effects were not necessary, the Frost Giant knew, but it fit with the arriving drow’s personality.   “Good Morning, Gungir” replied the drow, finally beginning to materialize, “What is the word in the Cold Wood?”   “What allows me the pleasure of your presence today Eru? Have I not shown my loyalty to your cause enough? I’ve destroyed every merchant train moving through the nearby areas. The settlements are ripe for the picking. My end of the bargain is fulfilled.”   “Your end of the bargain is fulfilled, eh? The magic I employed on your freakish offspring was no minor feat nor were the material components that were required cheap or effortlessly acquired. A merchant band is headed your way. They have been hired by Headmaster Colorn to circumvent suspicion and give him an alibi. Get rid of them or I will have to personally take an interest and if that happens your little attempt at reestablishing dominance of this area again will be at its finish. Perhaps I’ll even free The Nameless Thing from his cage?”   Furious, a growl escaping his quivering lips, Gungir somehow managed to suppress his anger. Not the typical dim-witted frost giant, he knew this drow would be able to bring him all he was promised and more if he didn’t overstep his boundaries “yet”. “The band will be taken care of I assure you. I have other matters to attend so I assume our meeting is at an end?” the giant responded.    Pointing his finger like a mother who’s just caught her guilty son the dark elf muttered several arcane phrases and uttered, “Yes. Until next time Gungir.”, and disappeared.    Storming down the cave, Gungir decided it was time to take out his anger on one of the other occupants. He had taken the time to research the drow’s supposed name Eru and found that it meant “He that is alone” in ancient netherise. There was a lot more to that elf than he could figure. Finally making it to his destination the giant screamed, “Grunhilde! I have need of you in my chambers.” Perhaps this day could still be salvaged yet.    Adoran paced his quarters impatiently. Beldrin was over an hour late for their meeting. He may be high in the hierarchy of the arcane order but Adoran considered it quite impolite to make a fellow member wait. A knock on the door took him from his contemplations.    “Enter Beldrin”, the mage murmured. In walked an elderly man, with shaggy white hair and a mustache, who reeked of arrogance. “Hello, Adoran. It appears you are going to be visiting the Cold Wood for a short while. Someone with some very deep pockets has a problem and needs someone diplomatic and able to speak giant for the situation” he said dropping a large bag on the table that was bursting full with what appeared to be coins.    “Understood. Continue.” Adoran stated taking a seat at his desk.    “An artifact called The Gnarlspaw Fang has been stolen from the temple of Sune. You are required to make way with due haste to the stronghold where the new frost giant Jarl Gungir has taken sanctuary. It is believed to be in his possession. Use diplomacy first but if he is not willing to cooperate then use force as necessary.” The man described the item in detail and they discussed a few other minor details and the man left.   Adoran pulled the string of the bag open and found several thousand gold coins. Obviously someone DID have some very deep pockets for such an expense account. The Cold Wood would require some way to deal with the cold. Heading towards the lab, Adoran decided he better make something quick and be on his way.   It was a brisk morning but the sun was shining and the snow had ceased. The mercenaries ate a quick breakfast and continued on their way. They made their way up the mountain and finally their query came into sight. There was a long walkway that was only about 10 feet wide with sheer cliffs on both sides and a several hundred foot drop below. On the other side of the walkway an ancient archway, 20 feet high and wide, gaped in the side of the mountain. Through the great archway the mercenaries could see a short passage of worked stone, the walls covered in ice.   “No guards?” Attilla asked.   “I don’t see any either but theres a bunch of rubble near the archway that might be able to hide someone” Vez stated. “I think we might want to…do you smell that?”   “Bacon” Crom replied   “It’s coming from that way” Vez replied moving in the direction he pointed. “I’ll be right back. We don’t want any surprises creeping up on us from behind.” Making his way a little ways into the brush on the other side of the path they were sitting on he came upon a little stone cottage that obviously couldn’t be a permanent structure. The smell was definitely coming from the smoke pouring out of the chimney.    Might as well see who’s home Vez thought knocking on the wooden door. The shades were drawn on the windows but maybe whoever was inside was friendly.    The door opened with a resounding click and inside stood a man with skin as dark as Vez’s would be had he not had used his magical hat to alter his appearance to that of a sun elf instead of a drow.    “Hello stranger. I’m Adoran. Could I ask what a lone elf is doing in the middle of a mountain with several inches of snow?”   “Just a traveler,” Vez replied. “Some friends of mine and I have some business with yon Frost Giant lair across the way.” The drow said pointing in the general direction he came from.    With a smile, the mage asked, “Come in friend. I too have business with Gungir and was just making a little breakfast before heading on my way. Perhaps we have something to benefit from each other.” The drow turned sun elf smiled and took a step into the door. He explained that they were there to find a solution to the missing caravans and to find a diplomatic solution to end the threat to the region and if that failed to use force. Adoran explained that he was sent by the arcane order on a mission to recover some stolen goods as well and proposed he join the group since they had mutual needs.    Vez agreed and lead him to where the group were resting and introduced everyone.   “The symbol of Velsharoon” Adoran noted looking at Quinten, “I take it you are a necromancer then?” Quinten smiling with a questionable look on his face. “I too dabble in the arcane arts.”    While Adoran lectured Quinten on the fine points of the arcane order in an attempt to interest a potential new member, Vez scouted out along the path towards the archway to see if he could gather any useful information. Not more than several feet in he suddenly heard what sounded like snoring. Stopping dead, he spent a few moments staring at the rubble near the cave entrance. With a nod, what he had expected, he saw the head of a frost giant poking above the rubble. Obviously the guard had slacked on his duties and had decided to take a small nap. Informing the rest of the group of the situation they discussed how they should best approach the encampment.    They decided that sneaking up on the guard and then having Adoran and Crom, who both spoke Giant, attempting to break a deal with the giant to be the best course.    The plan was executed perfectly, with Vez sneaking up on the guard and lowering his greatswords near his throat. The rest of the group was able to cross without waking him and then Adoran loudly cleared his throat. The Giant awoke with surprise but was smart enough to not move seeing the sharp greatswords hovering over his throat.    “What do you want?” It asked in Giant.    “We would like a meeting with your leader Gungir. We have a business proposal for him.” This close up Adoran and Vez were able to see many bruises covering the Frost Giant’s body. Getting an idea, Adoran added, “I take it Gungir is not in the best of moods lately?”   The Frost Giant obviously attempting to lie, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You can’t meet with him cause he’s real busy and don’t meet with just anybody. Especially little humans like yous’s.”   Removing his hood, Crom suddenly stood at his full height, “Not all of us are small humans Giant.”   With a chuckle, the giant continued,” I don’t see any reason to let yous guys in. Gungir will just bash you guys into dust anyways. You should leave while you still can walk.”   The abating continued for several minutes where finally Crom’s intimidation along with Adoran’s diplomacy (not to mention Vez’s swords scraping the giant’s neck) and they were able to convince him to take them to Gungir.   Casting a fly spell on Vez to allow him to hover behind the giant and keep swords locked on him so he wouldn’t try anything funny, they made their way into the cave. Inside was dark and the humans were unable to see so Adoran pulled out a Sunrod to allow light to filter through the cavern. What they saw was a chamber almost certainly onc a grand entry hall, with rounded walls curving up to a ceiling 30 feet overhead. The back wall was completely collapsed but despite the destruction, the room seemed generally clear though a few a few rocks still were laying here and there. Two archways, one leading to the left where many sounds of growling could be heard, and one leading to the right where the giant began to lead them, lead from the chamber.    “What are those sounds”, Crom asked.   “Oh that’s just Gungir’s pet. It must be time for him to eat” the giant added with a shiver, “This way to his quarters.” He lead them to a large doorway and opened it informing them that they were almost there. What they encountered was a cold chamber containing three enormous cots and a scattering of rubble and discarded bones. Sitting upon two of them were two Frost Giant’s conversing.    The two giant looked their way and Fendle the Frost Giant screamed, “Glarn, Helkorn, Heeelll….gggrrr”   Vez crossed his weapons together decapitating Fendle and as the Frost Giant breathed his last breaths the other two giants grabbed weapons and charged.</blockquote>

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