Session 26

Fireballs rained down on the town of Ariland below, destroying entire buildings in firey explosions. Ice storms came crashing through roofs like a hail of daggers. Fire giants, trolls, and mages could be seen slowly descending to ground from the flotilla of airships overhead. The Party ran southwest and headed over the bridge as quickly as they could. Buildings were exploding more and more often and closer and closer. The sounds of people screaming filled their ears.
As they crossed the bridge and passed by a burning house, they noticed a pair of hill giants headed directly for them. As they approached, it became abundantly clear that the giants were not friendly. Zandriel Leorel recognized their uniforms as belonging to Gorfius instantly. Sir Didymus attempted to talk their way out of combat, but the giants were too dumb to care. Typhon cast wall of ice on the giants, causing a fair amount of cold damage but also forcing them both on the near side of the wall. The giants were furious and quickly swarmed the closest member of the Party: Sir Didymus. The giants surrounded him and began their assault on the halfling, but Bloodbane ran in and took the flank of one of the giants as well. He killed one while Typhon sent a lightning bolt through the heart of the other.
A mysterious mist surrounded the group as they searched the bodies. The mist almost appeared sentient, but it would soon be revealed when it coalesced into the cloud giant Crotag. At first, Crotag was confused about the dead hill giants loyal to Gorfius, but he soon realized what had been going on when he cast detect magic and sensed the presence of the Sacramentum. A wave of his hand and a casting of telekinesis opened up Typhon's bag of holding and drew the stone to him. At once Crotag recognized the stone and its significance. He knew that the Party had brought war to his island, albeit by accident. He immediately attacked Bloodbane, nearly killing him in two mighty blows from his morningstar as flesh was ripped from bone. The Party was able to surround Crotag, and Typhon threw out the scorpion animal sculpture. The object immediately grew into a full sized giant scorpion and attacked its target. Crotag began to bleed profusely, and Typhon finished him off with a bolt of lightning that caused his head to explode.
Before they could compose themselves, another mist coalesced into yet another cloud giant. This time it was Gorfius and he was flanked by a pair of mages. Immediately, Sir Didymus attempted to explain to Gorfius that they had caught this thief and were attempting to return the stone. Gorfius collected the Sacramentum and expressed disbelief at the halfling. Just then, Zandriel emerged from the wreckage of the nearby building. He told the giant that Crotag's men had stolen the gem, and that he had hired this group of adventurers to retrieve it on behalf of his lord Gorfius. Gorfius, ever trusting of his servant, believed the lie. He told Zandriel to collect himself and to prepare to leave. Gorfius gestured to his mages to depart. As Zandriel prepared to leave with the cloud giant, Sir Didymus stepped forward and requested a boon. Gorfius stopped in his tracks and asked what would a mortal could request of a god. Sir Didymus requested that Zandriel be set free for his actions. Gorfius confirmed that this is what Zandriel wished. With a wave of his hand, Zandriel had his freedom and Gorfius had his stone.
The Party boarded the Century Sparrow and for the first time in his memory, Zandriel had no place to be. It was an exhilarating feeling for the half-elf. As the airship headed back south, Zandriel agreed to be Merimas Stumbletoe's first mate aboard the ship. The vessel set down about a half-day's walk from Greyhelm. The Party said their farewell to the halfling airship captain and his new partner. Merimas tossed Bloodbane a coin with the insignia of the Blackwater Naval Guild and told him to hit up any inn or tavern of ill-repute if he wanted to get in touch.
A half day later, the group of sellswords found themselves in Greyhelm. Almost immediately they were approached by Yoldrick Shatterbasher and Thali Undersword. Yoldrick mentioned that they had heard about the ruckus up in Halfrbjod and what had happened to Crotag. He took the Party to Thurgramm Hammersmith's grave site where the group was able to pay their final respects and to let his spirit know that the job had been done. After they said their peace, Yoldrick mentioned that Hammersmith scouts had located the camp of Ovrul Rend if they were interested. The group then headed over to The Clank Tank where they sold the gems and art objects that they had gotten from Gorfius's palace.
The group eventually retired for the night at the Lonesome Sword inn, looking forward to what adventures they would get up to in the future...

Characters:

• Typhon 
• Bloodbane 
• Sir Didymus 
• Vigwalin 
• Merimas Stumbletoe 
• Zandriel Leorel 
• Crotag 
• Gorfius 
• Yoldrick Shatterbasher 
• Thali Undersword 

Locations:

• Ariland 
• Greyhelm