Chapter Fourteen: Stoking the Fires of Preparation

[Kaerri]

Bren was still trying to understand where Nivirea had gone (and why, in the name of all goodly gods, she'd gone in the first place!) when terrible bellowing echoed down the corridor whence they had come. Either Nivirea was at the source of the shouting, or she was elsewhere. If she wasn't the one the shouter was mad at, someone else was, and given Barathus' and Tarros' reactions, that someone was probably at least as worthy of their help as their wayward sorceress. That was as much as the paladin had time to think through for the present. Someone, Nivirea or otherwise, was in trouble from something big, bad, angry, and probably allied to Loviatar, and that meant he had to at least find out what was going on.

He shook his head at Luna. "Save your spells until we know what we're getting into," he advised. He then turned to Oreleth. "Go," he told the transformed elf, "but we'll be close behind. I doubt we have time to wait here for a report."

Finally he looked at Tarros. "We may need your help, but there's no time to negotiate. Come if you will, but I'll not blame you for staying -- but if you do, pray look after Count Barathus and his people?" Bren offered a quick bow to the noble merchant, then gestured to his party. "Follow me, friends!" He took off at a swift walk, not wanting to overtake Oreleth too quickly (assuming she scouts as she offered) but not wanting to waste any time, either.

 

[Psychie]

With a nod, Oreleth starts out at a run, trusting in her own skill and the natural dexterity of this new body to keep her from being heard by whatever it is out there, keeping low and holding her bow with arrows nocked and ready to fire. Once out in the lead, she slows herself to a quiet pace, listening and looking out for anything.

Purr I edited my post to reflect the info you gave me.

Spoiler

Cantrips
Light
Mage Hand
Mending
Message

Level 1 / 5 spell slots
Burning Hands x1
Gravity Bow x2
Shield x2

Level 2 / 4 spell slots
Flaming Sphere x1
Glitterdust x2
Web

 

[Purr]

"We may need your help, but there's no time to negotiate. Come if you will, but I'll not blame you for staying -- but if you do, pray look after Count Barathus and his people?"

Tarros answered gustily. "'Tis the least a man can do for haunting them as I was paid to do! Even I cannot wish them as sorry an end as is coming!" Tarros rooted his stance, looking as grim as the Asgardian Guardian of the Rainbow Bridge as Powerpaw and Bria moved past him to join Bren.

Bria asked as she readied her fighting stick. A beautiful glow came from her left hand as her protective ring formed a shield-like barrier out of nothingness. "Tarros! What is this threat?"

Tarros growled bear-like and hunched down. "None other than the Mad Giant of Pohjola! He is the very reason I wished to fight you, for never on Sharseya nor here have my horde and I been humiliated so! I sought to take the very treasure he protects for mine own as trophy, but like a blizzard against a campfire, the Mad Giant swiftly showed me the error of my ways. Against mortals, he has no match!"

Count Barathus cried out. "We are doomed! Pohjolan legends say the Mad Giant cannot be defeated in battle! E'en Loviatar and gods of this realm grant him a wide berth! Boccob as my witness, no hero has ever bested him!"

Powerpaw tried to follow Bria's line of thinking. "Wait! You sayin' he an' Missus Evil-face ain't on the same side?"

"Precisely, kitten of Bastet!" Count Barathus shook. "He is her unwitting accomplice, for it is he alone that possesses the fabled Starlight Circlet! Long ago, the Maiden of Pain placed it on his trail and it was there he discovered it! It is a treasure Loviatar has long wished out of the hands of goodly creatures - and none save him have touched it since that day!"

The Starlight Circlet was a mystery to the Wayward Wanderers, for none of them had ever heard of it. Upon hearing its name, Oscar brooded. A greater mystery still, perhaps, was how they were going to survive to see another dawn.

* * *​

Having heard all, Oreleth swiftly broke from the party and down the tunnel as she ran along. Her form seemed to want to fall forward to thereby run along on all fours, but she had her trusty longbow in her hand which would have impeded such travel. As Oreleth rounded the bend, she and everyone in the cul-de-sac heard a high-pitched, piercing, defiant scream that could have only been Nivirea. A cry of surprise and pain followed from the loud male creature you had heard moments ago.

"AAAAHH!!"

Spoiler: Out of Character

Otiorin, Luna, Oreleth, and Bren all recognize a Shout spell when they hear one, especially one amplified by the cavern's own acoustics. All but Bren know instantly that this spell also causes Sonic damage, it is short range (30 feet), and that it is not the spell-stuff of simple magic-users (it's a 4th level spell; Luna can, at her best, cast 6th level spells).

Then the great voice suddenly sounded anguished and tortured as it exclaimed,

"NO! SLEEPIES!! COME BACK!! ME SLEEPIES!! GONE!!"

Tarros gave a great sigh and facepalmed. "From shining Asgard, Loki laughs at us... for now something has gone and made him angry."

 

[Sherwood]

Luna thinks for a moment, then says quietly, "Perhaps we can bypass this threat a different way. What is it that this Mad Giant wants? If we find that out, we may be able to reason with it, and if not make it an ally, turn it from being an enemy."

Spoiler

Cantrips - 4
Detect Magic
Light
Mage Hand
Read Magic

Level 1 - 6 +1 Evoker spell
Mage Armor x1
Burning Hands x2
Magic Missile x3
Unseen Servant x1

Level 2 - 6 +1 Evoker spell
Blur x2
Scorching Ray x2
Mirror Image x1
Protection From Arrows x1
Web x1

Level 3 - 4 +1 Evoker spell
Displacement x1
Fireball x2
Haste x1
Lightning Bolt x1

Level 4 - 4 +1 Evoker spell
Ball Lightning x1
Remove Curse x1
Scorching Ray, Empowered Metamagic Feat x2
Shout x1

Level 5 - 3 +1 Evoker spell
Cone of Cold x1
Fireball, Empowered Metamagic Feat x1
Hold Monster x1
Lightning Bolt, Empowered Metamagic Feat x1

Level 6 - 2 +1 Evoker spell
Chain Lightning x1
Disintegrate x2

 

[Psychie]

Upon seeing the giant, Oreleth's eyes go wide for a moment, taking in all that she can see for the moment before turning back to the others. Moving as fast as she can while staying silent, the transformed elf goes to find the rest of the party.

Assuming that there are not any complications on her way back, Oreleth seeks out her comrades. "Brendoran, I have laid eyes upon a giant that is easily forty feet tall, wielding a massive stalagmite club in one hand that is large enough to crush a full grown horse with a single blow. I do not know if there is any way for us to slide past it undetected, and there was no sign of Nivirea anywhere. I fear for her safety, along with our own if we have to face this giant in battle. It will not be an easy foe to take on."

Spoiler

Cantrips
Light
Mage Hand
Mending
Message

Level 1 / 5 spell slots
Burning Hands x1
Gravity Bow x2
Shield x2

Level 2 / 4 spell slots
Flaming Sphere x1
Glitterdust x2
Web

 

[Purr]

(I forgot to tag Captain Hesperus ! Tag!)

 

[Sherwood]

Upon hearing the description of the giant, Luna decides that some extra protection is in order. She taps into her mystic powers and quickly casts a spell. "Mage Armor!" She then looks to the others and says, "It can't hurt to be prepared."

Spoiler

Mage Armor in effect for the next 11 hours. AC is now 22.

Cantrips - 4
Detect Magic
Light
Mage Hand
Read Magic

Level 1 - 6 +1 Evoker spell
Burning Hands x2
Magic Missile x3
Unseen Servant x1

Level 2 - 6 +1 Evoker spell
Blur x2
Scorching Ray x2
Mirror Image x1
Protection From Arrows x1
Web x1

Level 3 - 4 +1 Evoker spell
Displacement x1
Fireball x2
Haste x1
Lightning Bolt x1

Level 4 - 4 +1 Evoker spell
Ball Lightning x1
Remove Curse x1
Scorching Ray, Empowered Metamagic Feat x2
Shout x1

Level 5 - 3 +1 Evoker spell
Cone of Cold x1
Fireball, Empowered Metamagic Feat x1
Hold Monster x1
Lightning Bolt, Empowered Metamagic Feat x1

Level 6 - 2 +1 Evoker spell
Chain Lightning x1
Disintegrate x2

 

[Kaerri]

Bren frowned, concerned. "Well, she can't be too far, that was her voice I heard just as you returned to us. Perhaps she is, or was, trying to hide. In any case, if this giant isn't an actual minion of Loviatar, maybe we can talk to him? It's worth a try, anyway." He led the group further down the tunnel.

 

[Purr]

Wolf Rawrrr (In case you haven't, please read our Conversation prior to reading the next post in this thread!) =)

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Tag!)

Bren frowned, concerned. "Well, she can't be too far, that was her voice I heard just as you returned to us. Perhaps she is, or was, trying to hide. In any case, if this giant isn't an actual minion of Loviatar, maybe we can talk to him? It's worth a try, anyway." He led the group further down the tunnel.

The Wayward Wanderers sans Nivirea turned the corner Oreleth had just quitted only to come upon a scene that was terrible in many ways. A huge cloud of white some 15 feet in height and width exploded 50 feet from them. Out of the cloud came Nivirea, much of her covered in a flour-like substance that seemed to adhere to everything it touched. Part of Nivirea could not be seen at all, most of one leg here, part of an arm and her front there. Experienced adventurers like the Wayward Wanderers knew a partially-invisible creature when they saw one - and that cloud had ruined the magic hopelessly. Nivirea coughed in the mass of white fog that was now settling around her waist, but something was behind her. Something enormous.

Spoiler: He looked like this.

(Image credit: The one, the only, Mr. Erol Otus circa 1980 for the Dungeons and Dragons Fiend Folio, 1st Edition, page 102)

In adventures from generation to generation, the tales of giants had stretched out across Sharseya from century to century. Tall were these creatures and mighty too. The Hill Giants north of Morgandir topped over 10 feet tall. The deadly tribes of Frost Giants in the Frozen North whom Brendoran had faced in his earlier ventures each towered 15 feet in height. Storm Giants, the legendary beings reputed to be the strongest giants of them all, were 21 feet in height. But this giant's blasted hair skimmed the ceiling of the 45 foot tall tunnel.

His warted, scarred limbs and huge chest made him seem like something from another time, another realm. His head was too big for his body, his misshapen teeth too large for his head! But it was his eyes that were the most horrible thing to gaze upon. Nowhere in those crimson, cracked orbs did you see the tiniest hint of a sane mind. All was chaos. This was The Mad Giant.

He wore but a huge bearskin loincloth and held a stalagmite truly worthy of Oreleth's description in his trembling calloused hands. The Mad Giant was stomping after Nivirea who was making her way to you. The giant shrieked again, his voice like the near-deafening falling of a landslide, and the Caverns of Pohjola seemed to hardly contain his fury. His attention was upon Nivirea for he seemed to not have yet noticed the rest of the Wayward Wanderers coming around the corner. He roared at her.

"YOOOOOU! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOOOOOING?! STEEEALING ME SLEEPIES!! HUUUURTING ME! DON'T YOU KNOW I WILL BEAAAT YOOOU?!"

The ground was shaking. The very air was trembling. The giant was coming after Nivirea, his stalagmite gripped in both knotted hands.

What do the Wayward Wanderers do?

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Otiorin Taletreader

"I am with you, Bren.", Otiorin replied, putting away his bow and withdrawing the mated blades, The Sunfire Blade and the Moonlit Edge. He moved up swiftly and silently, only to be taken aback by the worrying sight of the giant and the sorceress.
Without a moment's thought, the half-elf-become-Felane surged forward in the direction of Nivirea. His plan was to grab hold of her, carry her and use his superior speed to get her to safety. He only hoped he would be faster than the giant's club.

 

[Kaerri]

Bren moved up in sync with Otiorin, but with slightly different intentions, for the paladin sought to place himself between the semi-visible sorceress and the giant who chased her. As he approached, he couldn't help but ask Nivirea, "What have you done?" It was more reflexive than accusatory, though, for his main attention was on the over-40-foot-tall giant behind her. Resolving this without combat was looking less likely by the moment, but he still wanted to try. "Hold!" he shouted. "Why do you chase her?"

 

[Purr]

Spoiler: Location, Date, and Weather

Location: The Varelys Trading Post (Pohjola location)
Time/Date: Who can say? Last you knew it was mid-afternoon, Monday, 22nd September in the year 1118. Perhaps now it's... Wednesday?
Weather: Probably still snowy with that strange cursed-evil-Loviatar-brand-of-Pohjolan-snow. But who wants to go out and see =)

Captain Hesperus (Tag!)

* * *​

"Nivi-faaace!" Powerpaw roared at the sorceress as he joined Otiorin and Bren in their rush up to aid her. "Why iz a guy DAT big and DAT angry runnin' straight at our party, huh?"

Bria of the Ko looked shaken. Never before in all of her adventures had she run up against a towering cavern-shaking terror of this magnitude. "I-- I'm sure she has a good reason! D-- Don't you, Nivirea?"

Resolving this without combat was looking less likely by the moment, but he still wanted to try. "Hold!" he shouted. "Why do you chase her?"

"BEATINGS!!" was the shrieking reply Bren received. This assumed the Mad Giant had heard him at all for none could say for certain if he had. The Mad Giant raced after Nivirea in an angry one-being stampede where his every stride equaled more than six of hers. His unblinking eyes remained fixated on the dusted sorceress, his hands clenched on his building-sized club of solid rock. That was, until Otiorin reached her. Then the Mad Giant paused, his mouth agape as two more joined her. He bit down on his club with his oversized teeth and grabbed the sides of his head with a sudden wrath.

"WHAT IS THIS?! WHAT?! FUZZY FAT CATS RUNNING AMOK?! OHH MYYY GOSHHH! NOW MISBEHAVING KITTIES RUN LOOSE IN MY HOUSE LIKE THEY OWN THE PLACE!!" He glared at Otiorin, then Powerpaw, then Brendoran and looked back to see Luna and Bria. "WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE YOU DOOOOING?!" He made snatching movements at the closest four of you as if he wanted to grab you, but could not decide who to snatch up first. He descended into incoherent, savage mumbling to himself as his addled mind tried to sort out the scene beneath him. He was both angered and confused in the moment, so much that it became clear that he would have to be addressed again if the party were to attempt parley. While this appeared to bring the Wayward Wanderers a very brief respite, such an attempt to communicate with him would have to come soon... before he came to his own unnatural conclusions.

Spoiler: Gang!

The party has just enough time for a brief chat before the Mad Giant comes out of his confusion. You have enough time for a Full Round Action (six seconds), so your character can cast a spell, speak for about six seconds each, pull out items to aid you, or whatever you decide to do. While we are still in Exploration mode, this situation brings us precariously close to Encounter mode, and that means combat! I highly recommend you use your time wisely. =)

Bria called out to Nivirea. "Nivirea! What happened?! Why is he... coming to kill us?!"

The Mad Giant
Image Credit: Erol Otus! =)

GAME DETAILS

Location: Varelys Trading Post
Mode: Exploration
Click Blue Box for Ambiance =)

Spoiler

"D&D Ambiance - Dark, Dank Cave" by Sword Coast Soundscapes

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

.:|Nivirea Varelys - The Sorceress |:.

The young sorceress dispelled her (now useless) invisibility as she reached Otiorin, catching her breath and quickly looking over her shoulder to confirm that the giant wasn't still coming down on her. She breathed a breath of relief, though she clearly looked happier to see her party than they were to see her.

"I... I might have... stolen... something from him," she admitted, fixing her hair out of her eyes. It did little to mend her overall disheveled state. "What? I didn't think he'd notice!" she argued, as if that justified it.

Still, for all her immaturity, it was clear from the look on her face as she gazed once more at the giant that she fully realized how dire the situation was.

 

[Sherwood]

Luna looks at Nivirea in disbelief. "You did what?!? I sincerely hope that whatever it is that you took is worth your life, because it may just cost that! What is this thing you took? Giving it back may be our only chance of getting through this alive!"

Spoiler

Mage Armor in effect for the next 11 hours. AC is now 22.

Cantrips - 4
Detect Magic
Light
Mage Hand
Read Magic

Level 1 - 6 +1 Evoker spell
Burning Hands x2
Magic Missile x3
Unseen Servant x1

Level 2 - 6 +1 Evoker spell
Blur x2
Scorching Ray x2
Mirror Image x1
Protection From Arrows x1
Web x1

Level 3 - 4 +1 Evoker spell
Displacement x1
Fireball x2
Haste x1
Lightning Bolt x1

Level 4 - 4 +1 Evoker spell
Ball Lightning x1
Remove Curse x1
Scorching Ray, Empowered Metamagic Feat x2
Shout x1

Level 5 - 3 +1 Evoker spell
Cone of Cold x1
Fireball, Empowered Metamagic Feat x1
Hold Monster x1
Lightning Bolt, Empowered Metamagic Feat x1

Level 6 - 2 +1 Evoker spell
Chain Lightning x1
Disintegrate x2

 

[Kaerri]

As ever, Bren's feelings were mirrored on his face, and it was clear he did not find Nivirea's explanation to include a good reason for their current predicament. Surprise was quickly replaced in turn with disappointment and disillusion, and even a hint of distrust. "Give it back," he replied sternly. "Give it back now, and perhaps we can settle this without anyone getting killed." He kept himself between the giant and the rest of the party, all the same.

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth fires off a glare in Nivirea's direction. "What in the name of all that is holy was so important to you that you would risk angering such a giant?"

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Otiorin Taletreader

After having hauled Nivirea in the approximate direction of ‘safer’, the transmogrified half-elf turned and said, “Wait, you’re stealing things now? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure that’s my job.”

 

[Purr]

Spoiler: Location, Date, and Weather

Location: The Varelys Trading Post (Pohjola location)
Time/Date: Who can say? Last you knew it was mid-afternoon, Monday, 22nd September in the year 1118. Perhaps now it's... Wednesday?
Weather: Probably still snowy with that strange cursed-evil-Loviatar-brand-of-Pohjolan-snow. But who wants to go out and see =)

Captain Hesperus (Tag!)

* * *​

Powerpaw had rarely looked more confused than now as he looked at Nivirea. "You stole sumthin... from DAT GUY?! An' now he wants ta kill US fer sumthin YOU DID?!" Powerpaw snarled in surprise at Nivirea and it was not a nice snarl at all. Then the Felane gladiator turned to anyone besides Nivrea and said, "Tell me I got dis wrong!"

Bria trembled as she tried to make sense of the situation. Her white fur in a fluff, Bria asked anyone who would listen. "Wait! Rowr! Wait, I don't understand! What are... 'sleepies'?"

The Mad Giant heard that and responded!

"SLEEPIES!!" He shook his 20-foot long solid stone club at Nivirea. "I FINALLY HAZ SLEEPIES FROM BASHING TUNNELS IN MOUNTAIN ALL DAY! DEN I HEAR SOMETHING BEHINDS ME!" He turned around as if reliving the moment. "HEARD IT! BUT CANNOT SEE IT! WHAT IS IT?! I GRABS IT! WARN IT! THEN IT SCREEEEEAMS!" The Mad Giant loosed a decent if overly-loud impression of the scream you had heard Nivirea provide not a minute ago. "SCREAM WOUNDS ME!! SCREAM AWAKES!! SLEEPIES... FLY AWAY!" He pointed a huge accusing finger at Nivirea. "YOOOOU! YOU STEAL ME SLEEPIES!!" He thumped his club so hard the ground shook underneath your paws. "BEATINGS!! FOR KITTIES TOO! THEY HELP THE SCREAMY-THIEF! BEAAATINGS!!"

If there was one thing nearly all Ko Monks had in common, it was the constant availability of a terrific amount of naivete that they carried with them wherever they went, the Peaceful Healer included. "Ohhhh!" Bria brightened as she uncupped her ears and turned to you and the Mad Giant. "Sleepies means you were tired! Her scream woke you up! Well," she reasoned, "that can't be too hard to fix!" She turned to the Wayward Wanderers and gave a big Bria smile. "Nivirea didn't really steal a physical item from him! All we need to do is help him get to sleep and everything will be good again! Right?" Bria looked from Wanderer to Wanderer to see if she had pegged the truth of the matter.

Spoiler: Gang!

Like the last round, let's go another short turn for each PC and see how it goes.

What do the Wayward Wanderers do?

The Mad Giant
Image Credit: Erol Otus! =)

GAME DETAILS

Location: Varelys Trading Post
Mode: Exploration
Click Blue Box for Ambiance =)

Spoiler

"D&D Ambiance - Dark, Dank Cave" by Sword Coast Soundscapes

 

[Sherwood]

Luna looks up at the massive giant with trepidation. "I don't have any Sleep spells prepared, but even if I did, it probably wouldn't work against that screaming giant. Anyone know any good lullabies we could try? The only other options are to fight or run."

Spoiler: Spells

Mage Armor in effect for the next 11 hours. AC is now 22.

Cantrips - 4
Detect Magic
Light
Mage Hand
Read Magic

Level 1 - 6 +1 Evoker spell
Burning Hands x2
Magic Missile x3
Unseen Servant x1

Level 2 - 6 +1 Evoker spell
Blur x2
Scorching Ray x2
Mirror Image x1
Protection From Arrows x1
Web x1

Level 3 - 4 +1 Evoker spell
Displacement x1
Fireball x2
Haste x1
Lightning Bolt x1

Level 4 - 4 +1 Evoker spell
Ball Lightning x1
Remove Curse x1
Scorching Ray, Empowered Metamagic Feat x2
Shout x1

Level 5 - 3 +1 Evoker spell
Cone of Cold x1
Fireball, Empowered Metamagic Feat x1
Hold Monster x1
Lightning Bolt, Empowered Metamagic Feat x1

Level 6 - 2 +1 Evoker spell
Chain Lightning x1
Disintegrate x2

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth shakes her head. "If we wish to try and run, we may be able to slow it down some with a well placed Web spell, then follow up with a Haste spell to outrun the giant. Other than that, we may have to risk fighting it. Unless Bria can provide some more cookies and milk to help the giant go back to sleep."

Spoiler

Cantrips
Light
Mage Hand
Mending
Message

Level 1 / 5 spell slots
Burning Hands x1
Gravity Bow x2
Shield x2

Level 2 / 4 spell slots
Flaming Sphere x1
Glitterdust x2
Web

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

.:|Nivirea Varelys - The Sorceress |:.

At least the girl dignified Luna and Bren with a repentant look, even if she said nothing in the way of apology. Instead, she seemed to contemplate something. More than that, she looked a bit perplexed. She mumbled something incomprehensible in one moment; in the next, she nodded at Bria.

"That actually makes sense. It was dark, I was exploring the noise I heard, and I bumped into him. He lost his mind. If I could make him sleepy again, I would!"

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth looks up at the raging giant. "But how can we? He seems as far from sleep as anything can be! I don't have any magics that can make him sleepy, and it looks like he's quite ready to take it out on us all!"

 

[Kaerri]

Bren didn't look at all swayed by Nivirea's repentant look -- or by her suddenly altered story. If anything, the distrust on his face grew stronger, but he made a visible effort to put it aside while the party dealt with the more immediate problem.

He, too, looked up at the giant, and called to him, "We're very sorry you were woken up! Can we help you get to sleep again? We can fix the hurt, too. Do you like singing?"

He glanced aside at Bria. "Do you have a Create Food and Drink spell? Oreleth's cookies and milk idea might help."

 

[Purr]

( Captain Hesperus Tag!)

(DM note: A good DM lets the dice or the players kill the PCs. See below.)

He glanced aside at Bria. "Do you have a Create Food and Drink spell? Oreleth's cookies and milk idea might help."

"Yes," Bria replied with a touch of apology, "but I think he'll eat it all up in one go. That won't leave any of it for the rest of you."

He, too, looked up at the giant, and called to him, "We're very sorry you were woken up! Can we help you get to sleep again? We can fix the hurt, too. Do you like singing?"

Brendoran called out to the giant, but the Mad Giant did not appear to hear him. Indeed, the huge monster yelled the word, "BEATINGS!!" in the middle of Brendoran's sentence. For those nearby Brendoran, they could hear that he was speaking in normal conversational volume. It was possible he simply was not loud enough.

Spoiler: Shop Talk

Kaerri rolled her Mielikki-green d20 for the Diplomacy Skill check I required. It rolled a 2. Brendoran has no Ranks in Diplomacy and a +2 Charisma modifier for a total of 4. The DC for this task was above 14 (meaning Kaerri missed this by 10, making Brendoran's Diplomacy check a Critical Failure. Brendoran was basically using the "Make an Impression" option on the Diplomacy roll. A Critical Failure states the following: "The target's attitude toward you decreases by one step."

The Mad Giant is Unfriendly toward Nivirea and Indifferent toward the rest of the Wayward Wanderers. But with this Critical Failure, the Mad Giant is now Unfriendly toward Brendoran. In a word? Barf.

"WHAT?! KITTY THINKS I WAS SLEEPINGS?! WAS NOT SLEEPINGS! TRYING TO GO TO DREAMYLAND WHEN SCREAMY-THIEF STOLE ME SLEEPIES!! RASCALLY MISBEHAVING FAT CAT DOES NOT LISTEN!! AAAAGH!" The Mad Giant slammed his foot down, glared at Brendoran, and gritted his oversized teeth. Brendoran, despite his good intentions, had just made the thing madder.

Powerpaw turned to Brendoran. He looked clearly confuzzled, but he knew anger when he saw it in the Mad Giant. "Way ta go, Bren!" the Felane rolled his red eyes. He was not mad at Bren, but he was far from delighted.

What do the other Wayward Wanderers do?

Spoiler: Shop Talk

Your characters are still (barely) parlaying with the Mad Giant. So, let's not worry about having 6 seconds of time for each character. All PCs (Brendoran included) are free to act. If multiple characters attempt multiple things, I will likely ask for an Initiative roll between the acting PCs.