I. Beefy Smacks

General Summary

H onored Heroes of our Sacred Empire,

One week ago, the town of Hopsfeld was pillaged by a warband of Hill Giants. There were few survivors. No doubt you have heard of similar attacks in recent months. Across our empire, all manner of giants are driving out from their lairs and striking out against our people. Now there are reports of Storm Giants along the Maypor Sea and in Felstadt itself. Our legions are preoccupied, and our armadas are away. The defense of our people and of our lands falls to us, and we shan’t allow this menace to sow further bloodshed and discord.   The people have looked to their Princes for salvation, the Princes have looked to me, and so I now look towards you. The sacking of Hopsfeld was the giant’s boldest assault to date. Hopsfeld was walled and had a sizable garrison. This boldness bodes poorly. Before long this scourge will be knocking at the great gates of Ivargrad herself if we do not act now. Luckily for us, in their bloodthirstiness after sacking Hopsfeld the giants were careless. We tracked them to a recently constructed stronghold in the nearby timberlands. Now is the time to mete out justice for our fallen. I have sent Arla Wolfhound to guide you to the steading. We will supply provisions and the finest horses we can muster. All you must do for now is sharpen your wits and your steel. Once you arrive at the steading you will have two goals:   Firstly, kill the hill giant’s chief, a despicably loathsome and treacherous creature called Nosnra. Secondly, we have reports that a hidden force is motivating these attacks against us. Follow any evidence that points towards this sinister hand, and return at once if you determine exactly the reason behind this unholy alliance. A relic of great evil might be at hand.   Your reward for taking up this mantle for your empire is thusly; any and all spoils found within the stronghold are yours to split amongst yourselves as you see fit.   Our sacred empire thanks you, and all of our hopes ride with you. Ivar’s luck be with you.   By the Emperor’s Will,
Iorvus Great-Dane
Master of the Hounds of Stal

  Seven adventurers answered the summons of Iorvus Great-Dane, though only six letters had gone out. These adventurers met up a week before their quest began at a camp near the hill giant lair. The members of this group were:   Achilla, the Shield of Ivargrad: a gladiator famous for being Ivargrad's undefeated arena champion.
Devaughn Lightpaw: a well-known musician and local hearthrob.
Gault Harrow: a successful monster hunter from the city of Felstadt.
Kohinoor Sattari: a Princess of the Singing Wood and a Paladin of the Crown.
Alizeh Sattari: a Princess of the Singing Wood, Kohinoor’s younger sister and a member of the Queen's Riders.
Tharduin Oakheart, a solitary hunter, and
The Valandian, a masked mercenary and battle-smith of rare caliber.  

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Princess Alizeh had stolen away after her sister without the permission of their parents, but was permitted to stay once she had been discovered. Though the group had a week to get to know one another, most of them kept to themselves during that time. Several members were already famous throughout the Empire, so now only time could tell if they would truly live up to their reputations.   The party began their mission by sneaking into the Hill Giant’s hastily-constructed lair and taking out the guards sleeping at the front with ease and efficiency. They then attempted to quietly ascend a flight of stairs leading to a guard tower, but Achilla’s footsteps ended up alerting the guard there.   Kohinoor attempted to magically Command the guard to grovel, but he resisted and made to sound the alarm. Dev managed to get the Giant to drop the metal rod it was holding with the spell Heat Metal, and the rest of the party slew it before it could retaliate.   Following this close call, Alizeh cast Pass Without a Trace on the group so they could continue making their way throughout the fortress undetected. In the next room they ambushed and killed another group of unsuspecting Giants. Coming upon a large set of double doors, the party heard the sound of beefy smacks coming from the other side and decided to avoid the room beyond. Instead, they opted to sneak all around the perimeter of the fortress before attempting to fight the majority of the Giants, who had gathered in the central dining hall...

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II. Nasty Old Matron

Notes

Encounters

• Giants (sleeping) x2
• Giant Guard
• Giants x2