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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Softwind" data-source="post: 1328157" data-attributes="member: 13893">New weapons and a new CompanionThirty-First Session (Sep 03)After 2 days non-stop discussion, the party decides they have enough information to take back to Everlund. While the Headmaster Gotien may not like the news, the party decides that informing him is better than withholding the information.Turlang gives the party the Mage Guild symbol worn by Yurace, and opens up a backroads for the party, depositing them a short half day's journey from the city, within a copse of trees seemingly protected by Nature herself. The group quickly acquires passage with a merchant heading into town - with their help, the merchant shaves a few hours off his time to get to the city.The party heads back to the Inn, where they find their rooms have not yet been rented out again. Quickly discussing plans, the group separates. Skylar and Qonos head to the Mage's guild to let Gotien know what has happened. Tombit, Athena, Brynn and Genoa locate the blacksmith who had been commissioned to craft Tombit's Tiger Claws, and reveal to him the huge "rock" of adamantite recovered from the forest.With their help (casting protective spells, and summoning heat and water), the 45 pound stone is melted down and formed into bars, and weapon blanks. The greenish metal, also part of the stone, melts first, and is formed into nine two-pound bars. In its refined state, it causes the rangers and druid of the party to feel even more unease. The refined adamantine is crafted into three bars, Tombit's claws, 3 short swords, 2 daggers, and a longsword. The blacksmith claims a bar and a shortsword blank, and also asks for one bar of the green metal. The party is uneasy about giving up the green metal, and asks for time to discuss the issue.In the meantime, Qonos and Skylar talk with the Headmaster of the Order, and are introduced to Daladeriel. The elf had entered the Guild while still young, and it is the Headmaster's wish that he get some "experience" in the real world. After the introductions are made, Qonos and Dal head to the blacksmith's shop, while Skylar spends time researching in the Guild library.Upon arrival at the Blacksmith's, Dal is handed a bar of the green metal to investigate, and the party adjourns to the Scowling Orc. There, the Companions get acquainted with Dal, but their talk is disrupted by a pounding on the door. The guardsmen outside the door state that the party stands accused of sabotage, theft, espionage, and even murder! Dal is quickly handed the teleportation helm by Brynn, and returns to his cell in the Guild. It would not do, thinks the party, to have him and the green metal be discovered with the party!The party is lead to the chambers of a Justicar to stand trial, and upon hearing the charges, are allowed to give their side of the story. Even under a truth-reading spell, the group's story does not match with the events given the Justicar. The group demands to face their accuser, and so Subguildmistress Gwynnth is summoned. Having been awoken abruptly, she is none-to-pleased to be brought before the Justicar, but is soon put in her place by him. Under the same truth spell, Gwynnth tells her side of the story - and is found to be truthful as well. It is thought that the four Guild guardsmen (Four Stooges) were acting on their own. Perhaps both the party and the Subguildmistress were lied to. In any case, both parties are allowed to leave, the investigation (and the charges) being put in abeyance for now. The party returns to the Inn to rest for the remainder of the night. The next morning, they call upon Dal, and find that he has divined the powers of the green metal. It seems as though the metal is anathema to growing plants, especially in its pure form. The party decides that this is not a good thing, especially in a town where the forest is attempting to gain back what has been claimed by Everlund townsfolk over the centuries. They are not much heartened to hear that with powerful magic, the "blight" effect can be turned to a protection from plants. Either way, they figure, this metal has got to go.Brynn claims back the Teleportation Helm, and quickly heads to Merikest, to call upon friend Humphrey, the Sage. After explaining the situation to Lad, he is brought to Humphrey's study, and discusses it with the sage. All he is looking for, says Brynn, is a safe location for the metal until they can find a means to destroy it. Humphrey agrees, and with a wave of his hand, sends the metal elsewhere. Satisfied (and a little impressed), Brynn returns to Everlund and fills the party in on what has transpired.Soon, talk goes back to Dal. The party decides that they need to know the capabilities of their new companion, and what better way than to battle test him. Knowing that the area around Everlund is practically crawling with all kinds of challenges, the group heads through the North Gate, past the Thayan Enclave, and into the hills. A short hour finds them scouting footprints of large humanoids, before finding a "suitable" victim.Brynn shows great restraint as he points out a hill giant on the trail ahead, and does not immediately attack. Athena stands behind Dal, with Qonos to one side, and Genoa to the other. "There he is, behind the rocks, Dal" Brynn says. And with that, the elvish wizard opens up combat with a fireball!The Hill giant, hurt and startled into action, advances towards the “little ones” down the hill, only to be hit by a magic missile from Dal. Genoa, unable to restrain herself when faced by her people's mortal enemy, casts a suffocating spell upon the giant. Unable to breathe, the large brute appears disoriented, but still rushes forth to attack. In a  moment, the druid is slammed by the club wielded in its huge hand. Several times, the giant raises its arm and the club, and rains blows down upon her. A few hits later, and the druid is greatly wounded. Brynn runs up to the giant, to draw the attention onto himself, and give Genoa a chance to recover. Athena also runs up, and attempts to heal the druid.Calculatingly, Dal launches another fireball, set to detonate beside and behind the giant, avoiding damage to his new found companions. Burned, scored by blades, and unable to breathe, the giant lashes out again. Once more scoring hits upon the druid - only the actions of the cleric keep her standing.Brynn unsheathes his swords and uses them to deadly effect as he whittles away at the creature, its blood making footing treacherous. Dal summons arrows of arcane force, which thud into the giant's chest with deadly accuracy. Its life having fled, the behemoth falls to the ground, to rise no longer.The party hears the sounds of more giants heading their way, so they quickly gather what effects the giant had, and make their way back to town quickly. Within their room, (after ignoring the looks received by the tavern patrons), they sort through the loot while Athena uses her innate abilities to clean them of the dirt, grime, and blood from the quick but messy fight.Based on what they saw, they feel the addition of the mage to the party a good one, and look forward to the coming challenges. The elf mage doesn't appear quite as convinced, however...</blockquote>

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