Chapter 11: Against the Broken Hills Giants

About the Saga

The adventurers hunt down the Rock Heads, hill giants from the Broken Hills Clan who had attacked Obsidian Bay during the blizzard.

Timeframe

• Campaign Date: Coldeven 26, CY 515
• Real World Date: April 12, 2015
• Read other Obsidian Frontier Sagas

Cast of Characters

• Burgell Nackle (Damon), a gnome bard with dubious ethics
• Tänévir Calywyn (Nate), a young elven ranger who has come to apprentice with Súlimëtasar of the Griffins Guild

Notable Quotes

• ""A gnome. Your flesh is so sweet ... I will not fall victim to your mockery. I will kill you and then eat your chewy, delicious bones."" -- Ylorg, a soon-to-be-dead hill giant, speaking to Burgell

What Has Come Before

Burgell Nackle, Tänévir Calywyn, Finn Underbow, and Roaryk are hunting the Stone Heads, a small band of hill giants from the Broken Hills Clan. The giants attacked the city during the blizzard in late Readying 515, but were driven back by warriors in the Griffins Guild. Two of the seven giants were killed outright during the raid while two more were badly injured. The heroes took it upon themselves to track the giants back to the hills ... and end them. They headed out with allies from the dwarven expeditionary force from Ulek as well the proto-Rallymen.

The heroes weren't the only ones tracking prey in those hills. A warband of Death's Head gnolls, related to the ones they'd encountered earlier when retreating from the Caverns of Quasqueton. They'd barely escaped from the gnolls when the monsters were attacked by ol'Triple Threat, an ancient, scarred wyvern. A pitched battle followed that left the gnolls dead and the heroes' team badly injured.

The Saga

Watersday, Coldeven 26, CY 515

After the fight with the gnolls, the heroes retreated to the Wolf's Den Cave and rested for all of Watersday.

Coldeven 27, CY 515

After some debate, Tanevir and Burgell decided to leave Finn Underbow and Roaryk behind to watch the horses, heal from their wounds, and consult with the warlock's pact lord for possible insights. The elf and gnome were accompanied by two of the dwarven vanguard from Ulek, and two of the former barbarian reavers they'd "civilized". The small group headed out into the wilderness to track down the giants.

As they made their way through the hills they came across a bloody trail that led them to a sobbing giant named Gluck. Cloaking himself from sight using invisibility and throwing his voice, Tanevir convinced the giant that he was the "Spirit of the Pomarj" and asked him about his brothers and where they might be found. Gluck explained that his brother Zullork had beaten him badly, blaming everyone else for the failed raid on Obsidian Bay.

He also mentioned that his brother Ylorg was in a nearby cave. He said Ylorg was the mediator of the giants, keeping everyone working together when they might otherwise beat each other to death. Ylorg was gravely injured in the attack on Obsidian Bay, and Gluck was concerned that he might die from his wounds.

The "Spirit of the Pomarj" insinuated that he could heal the giant, and Gluck agreed to lead him to Ylorg's cave. The hunting party, leaving a discrete distance between themselves and Gluck, followed the giant to the cave. Arriving there they found a terrible stench wafting from the depths of the grotto.

Tanevir, still cloaked with 'invisibility', entered the cavern. Seeing the dying giant, the elf asked if the sick giant was worthy of help. Ylorg, coughing up blood, said he was because he was trying to help his brothers and unite them as a family.

The elf replied "No, you are not worthy" and attacked, his 'invisibility' dropping in the process. The Ralleymen charged in to aid their hunting party's leader, and were promptly reduced to a fine pulp by Gluck.

Tanevir, facing the sick but still formidable giant Ylorg, began falling back. Gluck charged after the elf, lashing out with his fists. Meanwhile Ylorg shouted after his brother, trying to convince Gluck to work with him rather than attacking blindly.

The Ulek dwarves, seeing Tanevir was exposed and unsupported now that the Ralleymen were dead, advanced and began firing crossbow bolts at giants. Cautious and crafty, Ylorg didn't charge the dwarves. Instead he began throwing rocks at Tanevir and the dwarves.

Burgell ran up to help his friend as well. He viciously mocked Gluck, telling him he's dumb AND stupid, which enraged and mentally hurt the giant. His brother Ylorg tried to tell him that the gnome was manipulating him, but his explanations fell on deaf ears.

Tanevir continued to dance with Gluck, firing arrows coupled with hail of thorns spells to cripple the giant.

The dwarves continued unleashing their crossbows against Ylorg. The giant ignored their strikes and instead focused on Burgell. "A gnome. Your flesh is so sweet ... I will not fall victim to your mockery. I will kill you and then eat your chewy, delicious bones."

Tanevir quaffed a potion of fire breath and then exhaled on Gluck, killing the giant. He then turned toward Ylorg and unleashed a firebolt against Ylorg, killing him as well.

The battle concluded the surviving dwarves, Tanevir, and Burgell quickly ransacked the giants' belongings. They discovered:

• 11 Copper, 147 Silver, 19 Gold, ivory small bracelet (carved to appear like a snake eating its tail) apparently worth 25gp. Once per day it grants advantage to Charisma-based checks involving reptiles. 24 hours and a long rest is required before the item can be used again.
• 13 [http://www.list-of-birthstones.com/Pictures%20of%20Birthstones/chrysoprase.jpg

'chrysoprase (translucent green) gems'].

• Potion of Gaseous Form
• Potion of Fire Giant Strength
• Scroll of Bigby's Hand (5th Level Spell)

Their looting was soon interrupted by the thunderous sound of another giant making his way toward the cave. The hill giant caught a glimpse of the dwarves, gnome, and elf leaving the cave, and roared in anger.

The giant charged after them, blindly throwing rocks after his enemies. The heroes, recognizing him as the giant leader Zullork, realized they couldn't take the un-injured giant. They chose to flee, losing the rampaging monster in the hills.

They rendezvous at the hidden Wolf's Den Cave. After a short rest to catch their breath and tell Roaryx and Finn what happened, they mounted their horses and dogs and rode for Obsidian Bay. Behind them they could hear the giant roaring, sending boulders smashing against crumbling hills as it searched in vain for them.

Goldeven 28, CY 515

The heroes road hard through the night, arriving in the city as dawn breaks on the 28th of Coldeven.

As they approached the city they encountered a patrol of Griffins Guilders accompanied by a billet of St. Cuthbert. The Griffins, having heard the stories of adventurers' work in Ulek, fawned over the returning heroes and their dwarven allies. The lead Griffin, knowing Burgell had been extended an invitation to the guild, asked if Burgell was going to join.

The gnome made a non-committal answer and the group rode into town.

They headed to the Griffin's Roost, the inn and tavern located on Griffins Landing and frequented by members of its namesake guild. There Tanevir arranged a meeting with Star Blossom to claim the giant bounty. She paid the adventurers 200 gold, one for each giant. Tanevir then gave her the small glass bird figurine he'd found as a gift. She accepted it graciously.

The bedraggled adventurers, their journey done, retired for the night.

Growfest 1, CY 515

The next morning Tanevir and Burgell contemplate what to do next. Burgell explained he wants to build housing for the refuges, but doesn't see an easy way to get access to supplies.

Tanevir suggests hunting down the gnolls who had been tracking them, or going to the Obsidian Maze. Then they both remember the letter from Kor.

Burgell,

Your quest to acquire supplies for the weak and powerless in Obsidian Bay is disappointing in the extreme. While some might find it noble, I know it for what it truly is: an unneeded, weak-willed distraction. What this city needs is iron in her blood. She needs the strength to not only stand up to her enemies, but to defeat them, slay them, and ensure even their ghosts never threaten her again!*

I found the key to this fortitude: the old guildhall of the Steel Skulls. The guild used to enforce the will of the old Barons, selling their swords to the strongest of the rightful rulers of the Poor March. They fell nearly 200 years ago, but their guildhall's still there and its Vault is unbreached.

No one could get into it ... but I can. He's shown me how. He's shown me that I am the only one who can enter the Vault and claim the Ironbound Warriors within. Once I have them Obsidian Bay will never again have to cower before enemies as pathetic as orcs. We will rule this peninsula and forge a new united Barony!

I look forward to speaking with you upon my return,

Your friend,

Kor

Alarmed by the ravings of their former ally, they decide to head to the Griffins Guild to see if one of their scribes might know more about the Steel Skulls and their "Ironbound Warriors".

In one of the side rooms of the Griffin's Roost, they came across Telthanas. The half-elf scribe was overwhelmed with paperwork: field reports from Griffin operatives, newly discovered tomes and maps, hastily written journals, and much more.

He was desperate for help, but when the adventurers suggested they assist him with the paperwork, Telthanas told them that only guild members could possibly be allowed to go through the backlog. That's when Burgell, who'd been invited to join the guild, finally did so. Tanevir, the protegee of Willow Wind, was already a quasi member. Together, Burgell, Tanevir, and Telthanas spent the few days reviewing, filing, and digesting the guild's reports.

Growfest 2-5, CY 515

During the festival week of Growfest they learned a great deal about the current state of the Pomarj.

Steel Skulls Mercenary Company their research into the Steel Skulls Mercenary Company revealed that the company was once led by Lord Randall, an anti-paladin and follower of Hextor. The mercenary company provided hired muscle to the various baronies of the Pomarj, and the fortune they earned allowed them to build a proper fortress and subterranean complex in the southeastern reach of the Pomarj.

Lord Randall also used his funds to build his own personal retreat: Bloodstone Tower. It was the selfsame tower that the heroes had recently raided while dealing with remnants of the Red Fang orc tribe. Much to their surprise, the heroes learned that Lord Randall met his end at the tower when the children of his victims tracked him to the tower and lynched the anti-paladin.

Lord Randall's death was a setback for the company, but they continued on under the iron hand of his second-in-command, the Hextorite priest **Cethegen** until he was betrayed by his own seconds. They slew the priest, looted the fortress, burned it and then fled into the countryside.

Rumors had it that the lower level of the fortress's dungeon was left intact, and that Cethegen creations -- the Ironbound Warriors -- still prowled the complex. The exact nature of these creations wasn't know, but it was strongly suspected they were some sort of golem.

Obsidian Maze Delving: they learned that the top two levels of the Obsidian Maze have been cleared by adventurers from the city, and that teams had begun to penetrate the third and fourth levels.

The Lost Land of Necros: They read rumors that necromancer-led adventurers operating out of Blue were searching for traces ancient undead kingdom known as Necros. Their intelligence said the lost kingdom was once located in the Drachensgrab Mountains, and possibly dated to the days of the Ur-Flan.

The von Strand Agenda: According to intelligence reports out of Gradsul, the Baronness Estrada von Strand is assembling a five-ship strong fleet to return to the Pomarj and reclaim her family's ancestral holdings from the humanoids. Rumor has it her first stop is Obsidian Bay.

The Death's Head Sisters: Three hags named Mother Maylene, Ugly Hanna, and Auntie Longtooth rule over a tribe of former Red Nail gnolls. They're based in the southern Pomarj, a few days ride from Obsidian Bay. These were the same gnolls who attempted to capture the heroes on two separate occasions

Ol'Triple Threat: The ancient wyvern continues to prey on anyone foolish enough to be out in the open in the hills east of Obsidian Bay.

The Undying Fire: The powerful red dragon named Taalkurz ("Undying Fire" in orc) is continuing to disrupt the central Pomarj. Refugues from its reign of fire have been fleeing south in ever greater numbers. Rumor has it the dragon lives in the caldera of the regions still-active volcanoes.

Nox the Malignant: A young black dragon that has claimed the upper branch of one of the Pomarj's rivers as his own. A tribe of mutated trolls and lizardfolk worship him as a god; he routinely tears off their limbs and mixes in diseased flesh, arcane solutions, and other oddities to see how they grow back. He breeds diseases in festering marsh pits, exposes his reptilian minions to them and then sends them off to infect neighboring tribes of humanoids.

The Green Blight: A young green dragon resides near the southeastern coast. Rumor has it that the dragon has taken over the Ochre Tooth kobold tribe. The Green Blight has not yet come into direct conflict with Nox, their forces have fought one another on multiple occasions.

The Ley Lines: You came across snippets of reports that indicated at least some of the Griffins Guilds operatives were looking into inter-dimensional vortexes on the Pomarj, and the possibility that the weakening or strengthening of ley lines might have something to do with it. The references are fleeting at best; they reference more detailed reports that the scouts' mages were filing with the archmage Robertson (Súlimëtasar alluded to this in a prior conversation with Tanevir).