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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 7843479" data-attributes="member: 7015827">A Giant ProblemThe first day of Nightal, 1372 dawned cold and rainy, so the group was informed by Janatha as she brought in the breakfast tray. Brok-Tul had risen early and departed the Gatereach guest house to search the city for suitable smithy supplies. Aerikoth asked to see Jokull's notes and observed that the IOU in Rancel’s name likely placed the person at the Black Boot in River Gate. Jokull also passed Aerikoth an arcane scroll that he had recovered, for which Aerikoth thanked him. Veran expressed interest in finding a library in which to further research his prophecy, but no one could think of any in the city, besides the one at the Naturalist's Guild. Speaking of that guild, Rahnee and Aerikoth both commented that neither of them had obtained the rare spider venom they were searching for. They decided that day to visit the Naturalist's Guild first, then the Mercenaries Guild, and end their trip at the Black Boot, although Aerikoth cautioned that little useful would likely be found at their first destination. Jokull decided to dress himself in a set of black armor taken from one of his attackers the previous night. (The Cormyrian seems to like to work all of the angles in a situation. This is not always a recipe for success. --R)Once at the Naturalist’s Guild building in Westlight Harbor, Veran was indeed disappointed at finding no texts on astrology; the guild clerk suggested trying one of the temples. Rahnee asked if any sage's libraries existed and was told that Mintassan the Sage had his home in South Gate, but that it had been magically warded and appeared abandoned. It was decided that visiting Mintassan's home would be a fruitless exercise. (It seems that sages are not in high demand in a place like Westgate. --C)On the way to the Mercenaries Guild, Jokull detoured back to the sewer entrance where he had been ambushed the night before, but discovered that sewer rats had been at work and there was nothing left of the bodies larger than a finger. At the Guild, the clerk recognized them as belonging to "Helm's Shadows" and told them of the two contracts on offer.The first was sponsored by the City itself, the clerk explaining that caravans had been attacked over the previous two days on Trader's Road heading towards Teziir. Apparently, a hill giant had moved into the area and decided the caravans were easy prey. Although loss of life had been low, the giant attacks had disrupted travel along the road. The contract would pay 200 gold to the company; in addition, they would get to keep whatever was found with the giant.The second contract was sponsored by House Urdo, who wished to explore a small island that was a candidate for their use as a supply depot. The island had remained unvisited for a long time, and Urdo wanted to hire mercenaries to ensure there was nothing dangerous on it. This contract paid 600 gold to the company; however, they would not be allowed to take anything off of the island.  No time frame was specified for the Urdo contract, but the city’s contract against the giant had to be completed within 3 days.The group privately discussed their options, Rahnee and Jokull arguing for taking the contract against the giant as the easiest and quickest, although Rahnee acknowledged this type of work was disliked by Aerikoth. Aerikoth, with his usual neutral expression, commented that he had agreed to accompany the group, even in such menial tasks; he thought it worthwhile to leave the option open of taking the second contract, at least.Veran expressed no preference either way. Rahnee approached the clerk and informed her that they would take the first contract. The clerk made the appropriate notation and told them that proof of the contract's fulfillment had to be delivered by day 4 of Nightal. In addition, the clerk informed them that the giant had been spotted with a bestial companion in the Seven Lost Gods hills area, coming up from the south to attack caravans on the road.</blockquote>

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