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Message: <blockquote data-quote="sithramir" data-source="post: 1168001" data-attributes="member: 12183">“Master Beldrin!” the apprentice whispered as he approached. “This letter just arrived for you.”    Opening the letter, he waved away the younger mage and began reading:               Our divinations have discovered that the artifact            has been taken to the Deepwood. Inform your associate.            We believe it was taken by Svird Coppermill a con artist             from Waterdeep. We believe one of the members from            the party currently pursuing it is in league with our            competition. Have someone who is not affiliated with             the order inform the associate and work as a double agent.             Do not let the followers of the White Banshee succeed.   Worry crossing his wrinkled face, the high mage made his decision. Calling another member of the order he informed him to find Xerxes and have him sent him.    Xerxes walked into the chamber and was greeted by an elderly man wearing the typical robes of the arcane order. He stood and bowed, “Hello Xerxes. I am Beldrin. I’ve heard several of your speeches on your amazing ability to channel divine energy without worshipping a patron.”   Smiling Xerxes replied, “I know you didn’t call me all the way here just to discuss the finer points of my speeches. Can we please get down to business?”   With a sigh, Beldrin continued, “I would like you to go on a mission for the order. I will teleport you to the Cold Wood and you are to give a fellow member Adoran any aid he requires. You will also inform him that the target has been moved to the Deepwood. In exchange, we will graciously purchase any and all hats you have created boosting your sales and reputation as a Chapattis for the next several months. Agreed?”   An extremely large smile on his face, the godless cleric replies, “Agreed. I’ll make sure to keep your offer in mind while on my travels. Perhaps I’ll be able to find some “exotic” materials to boost my creativity. I take it our meeting is at its end?” Taking stock of his gear he continues, “I’m ready to go now.”   Beldrin begins casting into a crystal ball in the corner of the room and a picture of the frost giant kitchen appears among the swirling clouds. He points out Adoran and then begins another incantation and says, “You will use this pass code: The sun is shining. He will reply: But the ice is slippery. Then and only then will you give him the information.” He then reaches out and touches Xerxes. It feels as if his soul is being torn from his body and then in the blink of an eye he is in the room he glimpsed through the crystal ball. _______________________________________________________________   After recovering from the daze caused by his teleportation, Xerxes bows before the group and utters, “Hello. My name is Xerxes. I have some important information for Adoran.” Looking the mages way, Xerxes speaks, “The sun is shining.”   With a smile Adoran replies, “But the ice is slippery. What information have you brought? We are currently in quite a predicament and the time to chat is at its end so be short and sweet.”   Nodding, the cleric begins, “The target has moved to the Deepwood. I have been sent on Beldrin’s request to give you any aid you require. It is believed the artifact has been taken by a con artist from Waterdeep named Svird Coppermill.”   “Understood”, the mage answers with a smile, “however, you have arrived a bit late. Please join us in an unplanned dinner meeting with the frost giant Jarl Gungir.” With that, he opens the door and the group marches out of the kitchen.   As they walk through the doorway with Attilla and Vez carrying their little surprise desert in the rear, they are greeted with a wave from Grunhilde. Approaching Gungir, Adoran bows and declares in giant, “Hail Jarl Gungir. I am Adoran. My associates and I bring to you a proposal.”   With an evil grin, the leader of the frost giants demands, “I assume you come to plead an alliance from one of the nearby human settlements? The dwarves from Sundabar have given tribute. What tidings do you bring to the King of Giants?”   The Jarl’s words already leading in the wrong the direction, Adoran attempts to rectify the problem, “My companion here Crom is a master smith and I am an able enchanter of magical weaponry. We offer our services in return for an agreement that you will no longer terrorize the local caravans of the region.”   Pulling his greataxe from his belt, he slides it along the table in their general direction, “You could enchant this further than it currently is?” Crom, taking the weapon in his hands, weights the balance of it and then shows it to Adoran. Casting a minor cantrip to quickly appraise the weapons worth, Adoran replies, “Yes. And I would be willing to enchant weapons for all of your frost giant companions.”   Raising his hand to his chin in thought, Gungir adds, “I will also require male slaves. Two score to start and one more each month. We find it hard to do some of the more dexterious chores in the area and the humans we capture are unable to handle the intense cold. I require a means to remediate this situation.” Switching to common he also adds, “Can I assume you know where Fendle, Halkorn, and Glarn have gone?”   Taking his cue, Vez brings over the pie, “This was planned as a show of our strength. Your underlings were unwilling to cooperate when we requested a meeting with you.”   Curious, the giant put his hands into the pie pulling forth Fendle’s skull, the giant who was supposed to be guarding the front door. With a laugh, the Jarl says, “Fendle wasn’t the most loyal of subjects anyways. A frost giant is easily worth a score of the lesser races. If you can meet these terms I will lessen my outreach for the time being.”   Adoran states, “Well I can gladly provide a solution to the humans frail ability to handle this cold climate, but we will be unable to acquire slaved. I’m quite certain you’ll have no problem in that.” suddenly interrupted by many growls and a large curse in giant, Adoran raises his eyebrows questioningly.    Smiling, the frost giant’s leader says, “Ah, It must be time for my pet to be fed. Since you are unable to supply me with slaves, but can provide the rest I think a show of faith is in order. You will dine with us and once we have feasted you will feed my pet for me. Do this and the pact shall be complete.” Considering the conversation at its end, Gungir sits and continues with his meal.</blockquote>

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