Cor took in the carnage arrayed before the party. Bits and pieces of what had been giants littered teh area and served as a meal for scavengers of all types. "Well, I canna say I am happy that someone or something beat me to them but whatever manner of beast that did this is powerful indeed." Taking in more of the scene he added, "Looks like the giants were busy trying to get to us and were caught from behind. Keep a sharp eye peeled at all times and not just left and right. Seeing the vultures has made me think that death does sometimes come from above as well. We need to hurry and get away from this place."

Carrion-eating creatures covered the cave floor in a writhing blanket of feather, beaks, fur and gnashing teeth. It was only with difficulty that Sirène could make out the source of the feast through a discarded severed digit or loincloth. Even the intrusion of the Elven sorceress and her companions did not disturb the fervour of the macabre carnival; the odd squawk or baring of teeth the only result of stepping too close to a particularly choice morsel. A few wizened vultures turned their long beaked heads warily, or perhaps hungrily, as Niamedris hopped off her shoulder in order to fill his belly.

Sirène shook her head and pinched her nose. The smell was overwhelming. She longed to rush out of the cave and gaze upon the open sky, to breathe in air untinged with the stench of death or rotting meat. But she knew that whatever had killed the giants could still be out there. And, she had work to do.

She approached a murder of vultures and crows, their beaks afire with the giant’s blood they had feasted on. The newly acquired ring Sirène wore on her left hand flashed a dull green, as the even woman cast a simple spell.

When she spoke, her words were a series of squawks and clicks – the language of birds.

“I’m sorry to disturb you. Did you see what killed your meal? Is it still in the area? Can you describe it to me?”


OOC: Sirène’s Ring of Animal Friendship results in any animal within 10’ radius having to make a save vs. spells or fall into a friedly, docile state (up to 24 HD of creatures). She’ll cast Speak with Animals on either a vulture or crow that’s fallen into such a state, and ask the questions above.

The four hours went slowly and more or less silently for Lothor. A couple of the party had spoken to him trying to draw conversation, but Lothor quickly ran out of things to say and slumped back giving in to his own thoughts.

He racked his brain searching for a conversation starter with anyone but few came. Even if an idea popped into his brain he wouldn't mention it in fear of embarrassing himself, or boring his listener. Lothor eaves dropped on the other conversations and learnt a lot, Ayreon and Sirene were from the same area of Trilogy and Valene and Ulthok had taken a like to one another, he supposed they were both halflings and rogues, there was obviously more to Valene than met the eye. His jealously flared again, however this time it was slightly more subdued.

Valene had been the only woman in his presence for over three months and Lothor had the same wants of any man. Now there were other females present and more than a few times Lothor had stole longing glances in their direction. He decided if they were to enter any large town or city he would have to... satisfy the cravings he so desired.

As he opened his ears once more he heard more idle chatter and everyone seemed to have something in common with one another, whether it of joyous times or sad. Lothor however, had little in common with these great heroes. Cor, the leader of the small band of adventurers, had reassured Lothor that they were no great heroes like in the fables of old, yet somehow Lothor could not shift his opinion. It seemed to him they were all better in some way than himself. He could imagine all of them performing much greater deeds than he could, and Lothor would not know if he was of their fine calibre until the time came when he must prove himself.

The hours had passed and the casters were rested, their spells memorised, and the time came for them to move on. Lothor was wary of the Giants, he had seen what they could do to Men, Elves, Dwarves and Halflings alike. Though he didn't mention his fears in fear of being called a craven. Then it dawned on him. He was a coward, maybe not in battle, but he was too scared to speak, afraid of what the others may think of him. It would have to change.

He followed the others up the tunnel, holding on to the shoulder of whoever was in front of him, blind in the darkness that surrounded him. After a period of time, which Lothor could not tell, a dim light began to fill the area and Lothors eyes soon adjusted and his hand released the shoulder of the person in front. The light must be from the small hole which the three of them had crawled through previously. It was most likely guarded and Lothor almost blurted out the thought, until he thought about it and the moment was lost.

Valenes new found friend scouted the cavern ahead and peered through the hole, presumably looking for sign of the Giants above. He beckoned them forward with his hand and stepped through the opening first.

Nothing could of prepared Lothor for what he saw next. Carrion were everywhere feasting on several large corpses. The giants, he thought. Bodies were strewn all across his previous prison and part of him rejoiced that his captors were dead, though the children were so young and did not deserve what had become of them.

The next question Lothor asked was how this had become? The giants of the drow mountain had never been wiped out fully, not like this. His thoughts turned to the creature that Ayreon spoke of, it had taken him and his pegasus out of the sky but could of done this?

"Perhaps it is best we head for the nearest town to restock supplies and perhaps sell off some of the stuff we have collected. Ayreon, you most recently flew over the area, would you please guide us in the direction of the nearst town?? Cor made ready to move out. "Remember to keep a sharp watch on the sky all. Whatever did this is no wee beastie. Nay, tis a fair to midlin sized one for sure. If attacked from above we shall try to get to cover if we can, if not try to knock the thing out of the air and make it fight on the ground."

During her time on watch, Rayne goes over all her equipment. She noted that she would have to replace arrows lost and broken once they got to towns. She smoothed all her fletcings amd ckeck the heads on every arrow and removed and few form her qsuiver until they were repaired. Not trusting them for accurate work. SSharpening those weapons that needed it and oil all her bladess once everything was right adn tidy she would be ready to move outwhen Cor decided. She might evern be able to fine fresh set of clothes. And a real bath Or even a soak in a forest poo, or a deep enough stream. Oh, and fresh food.

Rayne let her thought wander a bit as she dreamed on these small sindulgent dreams. Just for the momentsss allowiing these thought to put aside their unfinished goal.s. For a space it weas banished but not forgoten.

Then the party set out determined to face the Giantss that had held Lothar and Valene as slavess for so long, and Ayeron too as d. They had to try to rescue any other sslaves the clan had as well. She had forgotten tos as Valene ifs there were any other slaves in that clan. There pathe took them to the breech that had opened that allowed Lothar and Valene to escaoe. A wave of stench s*** her sas she passed through the breech Bow in hace and arrow notched. The fould stench grew worse on the other side.

The scene in the cave beyond the breech wass nothing that she had expected. She didn't thing anyone expected such a sight. Carrion creatures of all sices shapes and descriotion feasted on the carcauses of the giant clan. men women and children had been slaughtersed. Limbs toen off bodies eviserated. The denizens sof thiss sscave and beyond would feast well for some time to come. tayne tried to look on the scene studying it for informantion about the perpatrators. Something big and strong, and merciless. Unfortunately by the time they had gotten here, the feasters had made searching for clues just about impossibless, eating aweweay at wounds that might have givern her clues, fighiting all over the floor that might have neal tracks she could read. Tayne did what she could to make some guesses about the relative sixe of the crewature sincre it had to fit in hers and through the openingsssssss. At least she thought that, but realized there could be other ways it might have entered. or been summons to this place. Wild guessing wsas not something she wastd much time on but Rayne thought of all the possibilities. Probably and inprobable. None of her results, were felicious. Dreagon and drake were her primary culpreits. but she had so little to firm up any real conclusion.

Those earlierthoughts swere suddenly dampened by the scene was thingking earliers.s Rayne had been looking forward to being out under the dky again.s s Day or Night Dawn or Dusk, she care not which. Now she was not sure one bath would be enough to clean herself offs of this smell.

Ulthok took his now accustomed place at the head of the party. He was glad to have Valene at his back. He could sense that she was as aware of their surrounds as he was. They made their way up the cave.

His senses were straining and as they crept up on the breech that had allowed the three new companions to escape their captors. Ulthok motioned to Valene to be couscous. There was something very wrong. The thief paused to listen; there should be sounds, giants make a lot of sound, they are big and they make grunting thumping sounds, where are the sounds? But what he could hear was definitely not giants.

Approaching the opening he could see where big hands had dug into the walls, dragging dirt away in the attempt to follow the escapees. As he turned into the opening he was jarred to see a giant’s arm still pulling at the dirt, but only the arm. Closer inspection showed that the arm may have been flung there and it had been there for several hours.

The sounds Ulthok has heard were now clearly the squawks birds, lots of birds. Birds in a giants cave?

Valene stepped past him as he paused, she pushed through the opening and into the cave, he followed closely behind. The full volume of the frenzy washed over them as they emerged. Birds everywhere, feeding on huge chunks of meat, giant meat. Something had beat them to killing these giants and had done it as a merciless slaughter. The other enter the scene one by one, each in mild shock of a sight they were not prepared to see.

As the others gathered Ulthok noted, “It appears something or someone was very displeased with these keepers of the mountain. It has made an example of their failure to keep us out. If I were to guess… I would say that it is known that we have the sword. We need to be very careful now. Let us get out of here quickly. Spells of non detection and invisibility may be our best chance to slip past what may await outside. We must get to the cave mouth and determine how to proceed. Valene and Lothor had spoken of bridge we still need to cross; better to do that unseen. Valene, which way out?“ With that the small mage looked to the Halfling cleric to guide them to cave opening.

It felt good to be on the move again. Ayreon had a look at the group around him and felt confident about facing the giants. There had been no fear in his heart before and there certainly was none now as they started to head up the same little tunnel he had emerged from a few hours earlier with Lothor and Valene. Having a proper sword at his side made the paladin smile. Even if the blade wasn't his old trusty longsword, it was extremely well balanced and had from the initial touch felt familiar and good. It would be a perfect weapon against the giants should it come to blows, as it doubtlessly would.

Heading up the tight passage the elf moved next to Rayne and answered her previous question with a soft and quiet voice: "Tarenmenel did not fare well after the giants caught us with their nasty web. The hit after the fall took away my consciousness and left me unable to defend valiant Taren against the monstrosities. When I finally came to, it was already too late." Looking away from his fellow Pegasirider, Ayreon sighed, forced a smile back on his lips and touched Rayne's shoulder softly: "But have no fear. Your beautiful Ariel is alive and well. She made it safe back home to Shan'Tara with your message and is waiting for your return."

As they neared the cave, Ayreon was about to call out a warming to Ulthok, but apparently Valene had beat him to it. They were close to the giants now. The paladin lowered his hand on the pommel of his new sword and reached out with his senses to detect the evil beings who would doubtlessly be out there waiting for their return. But he was surprised by the results. He could feel nothing. It was as if the giants didn't exist anymore. Wondering about what was going on, Ayreon didn't have to wait for long to find out…

The stench hit him at the same time with the bad feeling even before he could see the torn bodies from behind his new companions. The sounds of the carrion birds was almost deafening compared to the silence in which they had walked the last few moments in the tunnel. Cor voiced his opinion about where the death might have come from for the giants as well as his worry about the situation. Meanwhile Sirène moved closer to the vultures and let out some squawks herself. Ayreon observed the elven sorceress for a moment in wonder. He would never be able to understand everything powerful magic-users like her were able to do.

Stepping over the bodies of the slaughtered giants, the elf's thoughts were already elsewhere. He couldn't feel sorry about the fate of the evil beings, adult or child. Given the opportunity, the huge humanoids would've ripped them all apart without a second thought and feasted on their blood and bones alike. Ayreon wasn't overly joyous of the way the beasts had lost their lives either, but he simple didn't care right now. There was something more important he needed to find out right away.

Taking a few steps forwards the chasm and bridge going over it, the paladin reached out with the sense his god had provided him… Immediately an immensely powerful and evil presence hit him like an invisible maul and Ayreon recoiled in repugnance falling on his back with his senses overwhelmed by the evil. "Shadow…" Was he was able to blurt out before the blackness washed over him.

The party all now fully within the main cave of the three, found themselves facing the Giants they knew lived here. However fate ever fickle those same Giants were no longer alive but instead left over slabs of eaten meat. As seemed the norm Cor party leader was the first to speak.

"Well, I canna say I am happy that someone or something beat me to them but whatever manner of beast that did this is powerful indeed. Looks like the giants were busy trying to get to us and were caught from behind. Keep a sharp eye peeled at all times and not just left and right. Seeing the vultures has made me think that death does sometimes come from above as well. We need to hurry and get away from this place."
As the others gathered towards Cor to hear his words the next to speak was Ulthok, his words agreeing with Cor.

“It appears something or someone was very displeased with these keepers of the mountain. It has made an example of their failure to keep us out. If I were to guess… I would say that it is known that we have the sword. We need to be very careful now. Let us get out of here quickly. Spells of non detection and invisibility may be our best chance to slip past what may await outside. We must get to the cave mouth and determine how to proceed. Valene and Lothor have spoken of bridge we still need to cross; better to do that unseen. Valene, which way out?“
“I agree but in the last of the caves, the smallest, the Giants kept a few chests and bags of things looted in their raids should we not check those first before leaving. Might that there be items we could use?”
Valene replied to Cor and Ulthok’s desire to be on the move quickly.

Sirene unlike the rest instead of gathering around the parties leader had instead moved towards a number of the vultures and other birds nipping at a large pile of flesh rendered meat. While moving through the mass of dead and gnawed upon flesh she noticed that some had a green tinge and smell of acid about them, while others had the burnt smell as if struck by lightening, a strange combination indeed. Even Niamedris, to Sirene’s dismay, took part jumping from Sirene’s shoulder without a word to fill his belly at a smeller pile of saliva coated Giant flesh.

Though the smaller crows with shrieks of dismay took off at once, four large vultures did not, swanking angrily at her approach.
Using her Ring of Animal Friendship she quickly calmed them all and started an animated conversation with them, and just as quickly found she was not happy with their rendition of what had happened here.

“Swak vas ding hiytt bfeeds ythhe ikknf tgheepo kjhg fdew qayh nbre olkh iuytresa mjuhfg kimnv”
Thanking them Sirene moved back towards the party to tell them of her findings. Seeing her approach Cor could read it in her face the concern there and replied to Valene’s asking for a chance to search before leaving.

"Perhaps it is best we head for the nearest town to restock supplies and perhaps sell off some of the stuff we have collected. Ayreon, you most recently flew over the area, would you please guide us in the direction of the nearest town. Remember to keep a sharp watch on the sky all. Whatever did this is no wee beastie. Nay, tis a fair to midlin sized one for sure. If attacked from above we shall try to get to cover if we can, if not try to knock the thing out of the air and make it fight on the ground."
Nodding his head at Cor’s words the high Elf moved towards the main cave’s entrance, taking a few steps towards the chasm and bridge going over it. As he moved the Elf Paladin reached out with the sense his god had provided him, that of Detecting Evil. Immediately an immensely powerful and evil presence hit him like an invisible maul and Ayreon recoiled in repugnance falling on his back with his senses overwhelmed by the evil.
"Shadow…" Was all he was able to blurt out before blackness washed over him..........

(DM OOC: Ok sorry for the wait but I was hoping Kriea would post about the chests and bags herself. But there’s my post for this week, hope you enjoy.
Next post baring any RL interference will be this coming Sunday, so get your posts in)

Valene had listened to the party’s plan of a quick exit, but true to her nature she reminded them of the loot collected by the giants. “I agree but in the last of the caves, the smallest, the Giants kept a few chests and bags of things looted in their raids should we not check those first before leaving. Might that there be items we could use?”
Ulthok perked up with the conformation of collected treasures. There could be valuable rings and amulets that may provide more protection for the party. With any luck even a bag of holding to help move some of the items. Surely others adventures had pasted this way on a similar search. Wizard’s books and scrolls may have been tossed in, if only to be used as fire starters at another time.

As the Halfling started to amend his comment of haste, Ayreon staggered back from cave opening. Collapsing he uttered, “Shadow”. Whatever that was the mage no longer wanted to move out too quickly.

As members of the party gathered to attend to Elven warrior, Ulthok turned to Valene. “While they are seeing to Ayreon, let us go quickly and see what might be of use in the small cave you spoke of.”

"You two make a quick check for loot but keep your fingers off anything that is trapped until you get backup" Cor turned his attention to the matter of the blacked out paladin. "Easy now lad, no sense in wasting your breakfast. Take it slow and tell us what you felt."

“Dragons,” she whispered.

It was beautiful. Like a teardrop of perfectly smooth marble, patterned with a web of cerulean blue that hung so lightly over the surface that she sucked in her breath for fear of disturbing it. It was only when she drew near that she realised how cold it was; a beautiful, haunting, deadly cold that lived and writhed beneath the surface.

“It has to be destroyed.”

She turned, outraged. It was so beautiful. How could something so pretty be bad? Or the creature within any less majestic than its shell?

No one listened to her wordless plea. She closed her eyes, as swords were drawn. And then she heard the crack…
The vulture looked at her quizzically, a stringy piece of half-devoured flesh swinging hypnotically from its beak. “So do you want some or not?” it cawed. “I can’t wait here all day you know. I’ve got places to be, carcasses to eat…”

“No,” Sirène replied a little too hastily in her spell-assisted approximation of vulture-speak. Her hand slipped to her midriff as she swallowed the urge to throw up her last meal. “I’ve … already eaten. But thank you for the information.”

A grim mood had fallen upon her companions by the time the Elven sorceress returned to the others. All except Ulthok and Valene – who scurried off like a pair of lovelorn adolescents – were muttering darkly of shadows and a looming evil that had momentarily dazed Ayreon.

“There’s dragons here too,” Sirène added, wishing she had better news to relay. “Or at least there were dragons here. The vultures claim they killed the giants.” Sirène knelt to help Ayreon back to his feet, before taking a few moments to cast a quick spell of protection over herself. “I hate to say it, but I think we need to try and escape from here. I don’t think we want to fight something that can command dragons.”

OOC: Sirène is blinging herself up with a Stoneskin spell.

"Dragons! One dragons is bad enough but if the birds used plural then that is bad news indeed." Perhaps it is time to rethink our exit strategy. If we hole up a day or so we can have one of the mages teleport the others to a known location. Then once all have learned the spell they should be able to take us all, even if it takes more than one trip." Cor looked at the others. "Anyone else have a thought?"

(O.C.C. Assuming Kriea agrees with my assumptions.)

There was little doubt in Ulthok’s mind that Valene not only knew where the treasure was located but being she had spent a year in these caves she was aware of what was there and what was protecting it. The giants would feel secure in their own home so it was unlikely they would have set traps that might ensnare the young.

They made to the far side of cave; there in what appeared to a recess in the wall was an opening into another room. Although to the giants this may have a small storage area, to the Halflings it was a wondrous treasure vault.

(O.C.C. also assuming there isn’t any nasty surprises.)

Ulthok watched as Valene carefully approached the opening. They both skillfully determined it was safe to enter. There on the cave floor were sacks, pouches, chests, packs and piles of clothing, armor and weapons. Coins of gold and silver spilled out of some items and hard corner protrusion bulge from others. Although gold and silver was easy to spend, Ulthok was drawn to the bundles that might contain books, scrolls or magical items. Ulthok’s years of dealing with treasure allowed him to quickly search and collect items that might prove magical and protective. Using one of the satchels the skilled thief gathered items to share or use later.

Occasionally he glanced at the female Halfling as she too quickly appraised what she might deem useful. He noted she seemed to root the clothes as if she was looking for something special.

rayne keep close to the Cor waiting for his orders and iany information that the other might add to what was happed here. Mer mind focused on the worse of what might hace donw this amount of damage to the whole clan of Giants. IT attack was vicious, overwhelmeing, and devastating, She could think of several possibilities. Dragons came to mind. Most ligely evil. But what type. Sireene did you find anything that might indicate what type dragon might have caused this dragon, because I am thinking that they would fit what has transpired here. Evil fragons are just the sort ot do the bidding pf the Greater Evil we seek to put and end to.

Rayne moves forward a bit to see if she could gain any information on her own. SHe moved steadily towards where the carrion munch down of the bodies of the giants. SHe wrinkled her nose and breathed thought her mouth, However that only helped a bit to lessen the smell of the carcasses scattered about.

When Ayreon Suddenly cried out Rayne whirls and leaped towards him returning to his side as quickly as she could. She heard the one word he got out "Shadow". Shadow ......Dragon? She decided t=not to jump to that conclusion. Rayne was not sure it a CLW would help him as she was not sure what kind of damage he had actually taken. None the less she use on CLW to see if it might bring him around to consciousness.

So much for esiting into clear skies and making their way to a town. Yet another obstacle had been thrown into their path. Nothing new not for them. They woudl deal with it as best they could. Their mission was not yet done.

With the Elf Paladin falling semi-conscious most of the party quickly moved to his side to aid him. Though it was unnecessary as he had taken no wounds Rayne not one to take a chance cast upon him a Cure light Wounds spell. Slowly Ayreon once more became aware of his surroundings and finished his attempt at warning. Looking to Cor he spoke again.

“Lord Dwarf I fear we have a problem as I sense for sure a Shadow Wraith awaits us outside and it may not be the only one there.”
“There’s dragons here too,” Sirène added joining the members of the party at Ayreon’s side. “Or at least there were dragons here. The vultures claim they killed the giants. I hate to say it, but I think we need to try and escape from here. I don’t think we want to fight something that can command dragons.”
"Dragons! One dragons is bad enough but if the birds used plural then that is bad news indeed." Perhaps it is time to rethink our exit strategy. If we hole up a day or so we can have one of the mages teleport the others to a known location. Then once all have learned the spell they should be able to take us all, even if it takes more than one trip. Anyone else have a thought?"
“Main, where I first met you and where we almost lost Conall. I believe that is closet of those cities known to us. However the only mage yet left to us, with Haila’s death, who has been there is Ulthok. Does he even have this spell you call Teleport ready?” Asked Kenji looking to ask the Halfling the same, only to find both Halflings gone.

The Halflings in question having gotten the ok from Cor had wasted no time in quickly moving to the smallest of the giant caves. A few minutes of searching and rummaging found them staring at two large chests and a number of full bags. Though the chests were larger then normal human sized ones they were still very large due to the shortness of the two Halflings. A quick look into the bags revealed what had first appeared to be gold was in reality faded copper, the low light giving the illusion of gold.

However upon finding no traps or secret locks they opened the first of the chests, the largest, to find a lot of different junk type items. From animal skins, a variety of giant and human sized clothing, stones of different colors, crudely made toys of wood and bone. A few lumps of coal and a series of crude paper drawings etched in the same showing the mountain and the area’s around it and that was all. The first chest for the two Halflings a bust.

However in the second chest in among yet more junk they found a number of perhaps useful things, including to Valene’s wide eyed surprise her feathered hat. In all the two Halflings were able to find five items of interest.

A plain silver amulet of two hands clasped together.
20 small glass beads in a human sized pouch.
A medium sized Rabbit’s foot on a chain.
A second small pouch well made and expensive looking, but empty
And finally a red and silver, again very well made, human sized blanket.

With their findings in hand and a familiar hat on Valene’s head the two Halflings moved back to the party only to be informed of the possible danger awaiting outside........

(DM OOC: Ok there's this week's post and though wish I had more to work with I do understand the slow down this time of year.
Ulthok let me know if your taking all or just some of the five items and any of the other 'junk' you found. Ok next post next Sun as norm)