Chapter 1
Chapter 1:
The Liar, The Killer, The Thief and The Holy Man.
"Prove your worth. Or die. Ohhhh hahehe!" - Zephyros
- We begin with a cleric named Cedric Surya, descending some prison steps to its death cells below. He is accompanied by his old friend Eric the Cleric and a guard named Karadagon. Eric says he has three prisoners, soon to be executed, who may be of some use. He introduces Cedric to the murderous plundering pirate that is Umbero the Red, the prowling and brutish bug-bear bandit named Thrall, and the...the uh...well the thing in the third cell who's name, gender, and appearance seem to keep changing. It is currently in the form of an old, short, fat, one-eyed, peg-legged pirate named Seasick Steve. Cedric tells them that there have been reports of giants attacking towns and villages all across the land, something that hasn't happened in many years. He is on a quest to find out why and put an end to it, however he will not survive on his own and needs fighters to accompany him on this journey. He offers the three their freedom in return for one year in his service. To ensure that they obey him, he will place a slavers ring on each of them, binding them to his will through the master ring on his own finger. They begrudgingly agree. They put on the rings and as they are let out of our cells, they are each awarded with a very old rusted weapon.
- On the way out of town the party encounters a floating castle in the sky. Magical clouds in form in the shape of steps leading up to the castles entrance. The group climbs the steps and cautiously enters the castle. They make their way along the corridors of the castle eventually coming across a large open room filled with various cages. A flamboyant cloud giant named Zephyros appears before them and tells them of an ordaining happening among the giants. That their king is missing and chaos is irrupting in his absence. He feels we have a part to play in the events to come and has gifts for each of us to aid us on our quest. But the group must first prove their worth and the giant then forces each of them forward, one by one into what they now realize is an arena. Umbero is the first to enter. As he does one of the cages opens up and a Doppelganger comes running out. Umbero is lightly injured but manages to slay the Doppelganger with relative ease. Thrall enters next. A second cage opens and a pair of Arakocra come flying out to attack. Thrall takes a hit, but makes quick work of them with his bow. As Seasick Steve enters the arena he shape shifts into a tall, beautiful man with golden hair. A third cage opens and a savage Gnoll charged out in a fury. The beautiful man does not reach for his sword, instead he politely Suggests that the Gnoll go back into its cell to nap as they have no real quarrel with one another. The Gnoll confused, slowly turns and reenters its cage. The beautiful man smirks and winks at the rest of the party. Cedric is the final man to enter the arena. As he does, the last cage opens and a repugnant Mane comes lumbering out. Cedric recites an oath under his breath and deals a single killing blow of holy light to beast. Zephyros claps and cheers, for these truly are the warriors he sought after. He gifts everyone in the party new weapons, clothes and various magical items. He then sets them on course for the town of Triboar, but tells them little else of what to expect on the journey ahead.
-As the group approaches Triboar, they are met with looks of fear and concern. For they fear the bug-bear among us. The beautiful man who now goes by the name Siegfried steps forward and begins playing a happy tune on his guitar and beckons the children forward proclaiming that Thrall is a hug-bear, and a friend. They are soon persuaded and as the children play with Thrall, the party splits up to explore the town. Siegfried enters a potion shop and asks the shop keeper if he has any special good for sale that he may keep behind the counter. The shop Keeper says he may have something but the cost is high. As Siegfried has no money, he coerces the man into a deal, he will gather some of the rarer, harder to find herbs from the nearby forest for the man to use in his potions, and in turn the man will give him an item of great value. Siegfried seeks out Thrall who thanks him repeatedly for helping sway the townspeople in his favor. Siegfried says that to return the favor he can help him seek out some herbs from the nearby forest. Thrall agrees. Thrall being a ranger and tracker, seeks out the herbs needed with little effort. While they are in the woods they are attacked by a group of bandits. Thrall and Siegfried kill the bandits and discover their camp where the find the rest of the ingredients needed and a powerful healing potion. Siegfried thanks Thrall and lets him have the healing potion for helping him retrieve the herbs. Siegfried then returns to the shop keeper who rewards him with a magical chest. He proclaims once opened, the chest will reveal one bottle of whatever potion-like substance that I desire. But it can only be used once. Siegfried puts the chest in his bag and leaves to seek out the others. Meanwhile, Umbero has been casing the town for people or houses to steal from. Cedric, distrusting Umbero, follows closely behind and just out of sight. Cedric soon reveals himself and commands that Umbero not steal, using the power of the ring. Umbero angry, lashes out and attempts to slap Cedric but slips and falls in the process. Cedric then uses the slave ring to freeze Umbero and slaps him hard across the face to put him back into his place. Umbero is furious. The party then regroups at the town inn. Siegfried shifts into a seductive redheaded woman and seduces two townspeople into buying her drinks. He shifts back into the Siegfried form when the are not looking and passes the drinks to his new companions Thrall and Umbero. He gives nothing to Cedric, for he has no love for a master of slaves. They all then head to their rooms to sleep for the night.
- The party is awoken in the middle of the night to giants attacking the town. As they rush outside they are met by the town leader who has brought her best men to help aid the group in fending of the giants. Siegfried and Thrall climb to the top of the tower in the center of town to use it as a birds nest, raining arrows and spells on a pair of fire giants in the distance. Umbero, Cedric, and the towns fighters defend the tower from below, fighting back waves of goblins and orcs. The group kills again and again but they just keep coming. Umbero and Cedric begin to take massive hits from the orcs. One of the giants throws a boulder at Siegfried and Thrall in the tower injuring both and taking half the tower with it. The party is critically injured but Thrall manages to put enough arrows into the fire giant leaders that they call off the attack and retreat back into forest. Tired and bleeding, the group returns to the tavern to rest feeling rather somber. For they have just encountered their first giants. It did not go well.