What a giant would have you do

[Gilladian]

I'm soon to have a low level (2-3rd I'd guess) party visiting a glacial rift valley dominated by various types of giants. The ruler is a giant druidess. I've not decided on what subtype yet. The rift valley is dominated by the glaciers that loom above (an ice age is destroying this world) and the volcanic-fed hot springs that keep the valley from being overwhelmed. Ultimately, the goal of the PCs will have to be to help the giants find a new world to live on, in return for a very important piece of information.

However, on this visit, the party are merely seeking information about a previous visitor, a halfling sorcerer who opened a gate to this world about 3-5 years ago. The halfling did not stay, but may have done or said important things about his plans that the PCs need to know.

So, if the PCs show up in the midst of the giant's village or keep, through a gate, and begin asking questions about the halfling, how would the giants react? They know their world is dying, and are actively seeking a way out. They tried taking an army through the gate, but got their butts kicked, so they are ready to try other methods.

What are some possible things they could demand that the PCs do for them in return for information about the halfling?

This is purely brainstorming, so please throw out lots of ideas!

Gilladian

 

[Schmoe]

Well, a simple exchange of information is always good. If the PC's have information that could help the giants get to a new world, the giants surely would be willing to trade information with them.

Alternatively, if the PC's have a means of gaining information that would be helpful to the giants, that could work either: A.) as an adventure for the PC's to go retrieve the information; B.) or as a bargaining chip to allow the giants go get the info on their own.

It's kind of hard to provide more specific advice without knowing more details.

A possible "quest" would be to tell the PC's that the halfling talked primarily to "Bob", who has since gone a little eccentric and moved to (the far end of the rift/a series of caverns/some haunted ruins). The giants tell the party how to reach "Bob," but they won't go themselves. The PC's can then delve into hostile territory, locate "Bob," and convince him via diplomacy to tell them the about the halfling.

Perhaps there are certain actions, diplomatic or otherwise, that the party could make with the giant druidess that would make their task with Bob easier. Say, for example, that Bob was the druidess's cousin or a suitor of hers. As Bob grew more eccentric he began to become more and more paranoid. Finally a harmless statement by the druidess set him off, and he fled to the distant end of the rift. The druidess didn't care too much, but she still has a small pang of regret. If the PC's win her favor, she will write an apologetic note to Bob. When Bob receives the note, he will surely look on the messengers with a favorable eye.

 

[LostSoul]

What are some possible things they could demand that the PCs do for them in return for information about the halfling?

This is difficult, because it has to be something that the giants can't do for themselves.

I suggest that you just have the PCs buy the information. (I mean, why not? money talks.) Then show the PCs what's going on in the land of the giants. Give the giants something the PCs need or want (more than just the halfling info), but are unwilling to part with.
Later on, the PCs can come across something that can help the giants. If they want to, they can return and get whatever they wanted by bargaining with the giants, or maybe just help them out of the good of their hearts.

I think if you leave the giant's plight in the background for a while it will seem more "real".