DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3X-Leaving Calling Horns

(We know they're hundreds of years old and humanoid. In Zhu's experience, if they're not Elves they can only be Undead. Has nothing to do with Metagaming. And yes, Van Helsing knew Dracula was undead, even though he didn't know for sure what kind, without even meeting him because he'd researched and discovered how long he'd been around. I honestly don't see any way Zhu would not know at this point with almost total certainty. Now, she's given Kriv her word that as long as they're helpful and they don't attack us she will grudgingly leave them be so she's not going to attack them unprovoked.

The metaphor I used was not a good choice. Here's perhaps a better one:

I leave to go on a year-long, around the world cruise. I accidentally leave a half empty container of milk in my fridge. When I return, there it is. Still looks white. From the outside it looks normal. But I do not need to open it up and smell or taste it to know if is spoiled and foul. I know because it has passed its natural lifespan.)

Kriv

The Dragonborn's expression darkened.

"It seems all too sensible given their heinous nature that they'd seek to besmirch the good and honourable name of the Rockseeker clan."

Other than that, the information as to where Vhalak and the Weevil had gone had tallied with what they'd heard before from the elf Berris. Corroboration, but little else new.

"They defrauded your people, and your guests. The doppelganger's name is Vhalak, the Dwarf criminal is known as the Weevil. We can add your grievances to ours and earn justice for both."

Zhu

"You have lived here for a long time." she tries hard not to put too much emphasis on the word 'long'. "What can you tell us about the travel between here and Everlund?"

DM

Algar replied to Kriv, "They embarrassed our guests, but not us. We had no direct dealings with the pair and we have no grievances. But I appreciate you sharing their names with us. "

Cryx then smiles at Zhu, "We have been here a while yes. We have settled down, not seeking to travel the world any longer. Once, many, many years ago, I spent time in Everlund. The road there skirting the Evermoors has always been dangerous. All manner of nasty humanoids ... trolls, ogres, hobgoblins and the like have always preyed on anyone that decides to travel there."

Kriv

"That their calumny and fraud did not touch you is good, and it is to be hoped the next word you hear of them confirms the end of their chaotic, destabilizing acts." Kriv nodded.

DM

Algar and Cryxlaw look at each other for more than a moment in silence. Then they both look at their four visitors. The gaze in disconcerting because during it all, they don't blink. And it doesn't appear that they are breathing either. Finally, after a tense minute Algar speaks.

"You suspect that we are not what we seem. That is true, we've made a deal to continue our existence and while it may gnaw at your souls that we have done so, we are not your enemy. It was prudent that you have not raised a hand to us. You would not have survived that encounter. We tell you what we are about to tell you because this is not good for our business."

Almost seemlessly, the oration shifts from Algar to Cryxlaw. "The pair you seek are selling weapons to the giant-kin because the giants are rampaging and these humanoids are scared. The hill giants are capturing anything that lives and breathes. The stone giants are looking to kill every human, elf, dwarf and others they can find. The fire giants enslave the giant-kin, forcing them to dig for something. The frost and cloud giants are also looking for things. We are not sure what or why."

Algar picks up the conversation is an eerie continuation for Cryxlaw, in an emotionless tone "We want things to go back to the way they were before the giants resurfaced. That means stopping them. To stop them you need to know what they want and why. We have learned by asking the dead, specifically Gorog. We wondered why he and the other hill giants came this way. His answer was 'Gah is hungry'. He shared no more than that. Luckily, his death was not at our hands. It was one of our guest teams that killed him. Although he was reluctant, he did share that much with us."

Cryxlaw continues for the pair. "A long time ago a hunting party came to Noanar's Hold. One of the hunters was a frost giant. Have you heard of Harshnag? Word is that he travels the north from the Icewind Dales to the Greypeak mountains these days. Word is that he is also hunting other giants."

The sound of a loud snort, like that of a horse, but harsher, comes from beyond the closed door opposite where you entered. There are shuffling sounds where there were none before.

Zhu

She listens, lips thinning at the confirmation of the obvious. Whether this group could eliminate these Lords or not, or even whether the full group could have before half left, is immaterial at this point. She'd like to do it but she gave her word and so will simply report the situation to the Spellguard when they reach Silverymoon and let them decide what to do.

At the mention of the name 'Harshnag', she rustles through her memory.

Zhu History
Zeim rolled d20+3 and got 20

DM
The name Harshnag rings a bell for Zhu. The stories are that Harshnag was exiled from his tribe of frost giants, who lived in the Spine of the World mountains, for his rather genteel demeanor. He wandered south to explore the Realms beyond his home and eventually made his way down to Waterdeep.

Taken back by the presence of a frost giant near the city, the Gray Hands moved to intercept the giant interloper. Their leader, a ranger by the name of Jardwim, was so impressed by the giant's polite response, he invited Harshnag to join their ranks.

Zhu

She makes a mental note to do some inquiries as they travel for this Harshnag as he sounds like someone who might be a good resource. To the Hunt Lords she simply nods. "I have heard of him, yes. How long ago was he here?"

Kriv

Kriv History
AJ rolled 1d20+6 and got 13

The Dragonborn yielded to Zhu's questioning, so as not to repeat what they both wanted to know, and kept a weather ear on the door. It seemed unlikely there would be a blatant betrayal of hospitality given their mutual interest in curtailing the Giant threat, but there was always the possibility of a brash intruder.

DM

"It was a long time ago, or maybe not so long, many winters, but what is many? We no longer count seasons, but it was long before the these two were born," Cryxlaw says glancing at Kriv and Aubric.

ooc: Note, Zhu hasn't articulated her knowledge about Harshnag to the others. That may help others piece together more answers.

Zhu

She considers the timeline offered as she relates to the others what she knows of the Giant. "Seems like someone we should try to track down. Not just for information, but as a possible ally."

Not sure if by 'everyone' you also meant Zhu, but just in case:

Zhu History
Zeim rolled d20+3 and got 22

Even better than last time. Maybe she remembered another nugget of info......

DM

While it didn't click right away, Zhu's mention of the "Gray Hands" and the name "Jardwim" triggered a brief discussion that brought things more in focus. Zhu mull over whether the name "Gray Hands" might have been another name for "Gray Force". That rang a bell for Kriv who had heard that other name specifically. The Gray Force was an adventuring party that worked directly for the Lords of Waterdeep and reported directly to them. Their job was to deal with threats to the city that the Guard and the Watch could not handle without risking significant loss of life.
Timelines came into play also once the discussion gained traction. Aubric does the math and calculates that the events being recalled were about 100 years ago. He knows that frost giants can live for several centuries.

(OOC - Was waiting for other to chime in on recollections.)

(OOC: I suspect we all were.)

Aubric

Aubric muses. "Before Kriv and I were born... so roughly a century past... but a hundred years ago, Harshnag was peaceful enough to come here on a hunting expedition and collaborate with the residents of Waterdeep. Now he's hunting giants across the North. And at the same time, we've seen and heard of much more giant activity and conflict. Hill giants are capturing anything that lives and breathes, the stone giants are looking to kill everyone they find, the fire giants are enslaving giant-kin and forcing them to dig, and the frost and cloud giants are searching for things."

He offers a shrug as his thoughts reach a dead end. "Something changed. Something recent enough that it's disrupted whatever balance kept the giants in check for the past century. And it was significant enough to turn a frost giant who once hunted alongside this hold's guests into one who now hunts his own kind."

Kriv

"Icewind Dale to the Greypeaks is a huge area. The Greypeaks are to the south and west of Noanar's hold, beyond the entirety of the high forest and Delimbyr Vale. We're ostensibly in the area Harshnag patrols, but the chances of coming across them by accident are remote."