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Chapter Fourteen: Stoking the Fires of Preparation

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Otiorin Taletreader

A look of annoyance crossed the dark-furred visage of the transformed rogue. Otiorin *also* enjoyed his sleep, in fact the very mention made him wistful for his cozy bed back in the Wayfaring Wagon.
"Even a lost second of sleep is a terrible thing.", he sighed, true tears forming in his eyes, "I'm sorry for your loss."
 
Bren smiled ruefully at Bria. "I wasn't thinking about us getting any, not just now at least." But since it didn't look like that was what was called for anyway, he looked up at the giant and tried to shout back without sounding angry (which he wasn't, not really).

"Sorry!" He called. "What are sleepies? How can we get them back to you?"

Bren's going to try Diplomacy again, but with an Action Point this time.
 

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 Captain Hesperus Tag!

So! The dice, for once in recent memory, have rolled in the party's favor! Kaerri rolled her Mielikki-Green d20 (yes, the same one that rolled a 2 earlier). This time, it rolled a Natural 20! See below for the results!

This scene is brought to you by... "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane. (No kidding! As I type, I can't get it out of my head! Heh! =) )


In a moment of pure charisma, there appeared something in Brendoran's words and manner that momentarily turned an apology paired with questions into what seemed like some grand oratory presentation meant for noble audiences in some great auditorium. Brendoran's voice echoed from the Pohjolan cavern walls. Every word was clear and full of meaning. It was difficult not to, so true did his words seem. Such was the power of reaching out and trying one's best - and succeeding!

"SLEEPIES?! HOW DOES DUMB CATNAPPING FAT CATS NOT KNOW WHAT SLEEPIES ARE?! SLEEPIES!!"

The Mad Giant acted out "Sleepies" for a moment. He raised one tremendous granite-like hand and yawned in it. His eyes fluttered a bit, closing for the first time since your meeting. Then they closely ever so briefly and he gave one feigned snore. Then just like that, he snapped back to an energetic, wild-eyed vessel of incredible uncertainty and rage. He explained.

"TO GET TODREAMYLAND... YOU MUST HAVE... SLEEPIES!! SCREAMY-THIEF WAKEDED ME WHEN I WAS GOING TO BEDDIE-BYE! BEDDIE-BYE FOR DREAMYLANDS! SHE STEALED ME WHOLE MONTH OF SLEEPIES! NO DREAMYLAND FOR WHOLE MONTH!"

Then the Mad Giant stepped forward. In two strides, he was standing over the Wayward Wanderers frontline while still 20 feet away from them. His cracked eyes glared and twitched as they peered back and forth, back and forth, from Otiorin to Brendoran. Especially Brendoran.

"YOOOU!" he screeched. He pointed at Brendoran and then at Otiorin with one jabbing hamfinger. "SORRIES, YOU SAY! YOOOU NOT DUMB-KITTIES! YOOOOU UNDERSTANDS!!" This was mostly aimed at Brendoran though he included Otiorin in some of it. The Mad Giant knelt down and even from 20 paces away, it was like an avalanche of might and muscle resting all before you. He seemed as impregnable as a mountain and sturdier than the finest castle ever made by human or Dwarven hands. Yet those massive white and red orbs told of imaginings far beyond the realms of normal people, farther still beyond the imaginations of studied wizards, learned clerics and bookwise sages, and out of the reach of all minds save for the truly insane.

Glaring back at Brendoran, the Mad Giant told the Paladin this:

"SLEEPIES... DREAMYLANDS... HOLY FAT CAT, I WAS... WAS ONCE RIGHT-MINDED! ONCE LIKE YOOOOU! UNTIL! I LOST ME DREAMYLANDS!! NO! I SLEEPS ONLY WHEN THE MOONLIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN THROUGH THE WILD EVIL-SNOWS! NAUGHT BUT SNOWS AND CLOUDS! NOTHING BEYOND IT! YOU FAT-CATS SLEEP ALWAYS! ME?! WITH ENOUGH SLEEPIES... PERHAPS I COULD BECOME MESELF... AGAINS..." his trembling stare flicked from Luna to Bria and then... to Nivirea.

"EXCEPT SHE! SHE WAKIES ME! HURTED ME WITH HER SCREAMIES! STEALED ME DEAR SLEEPIES!" His fist clenched. You heard crushing sounds. A moment passed and a stream of pebbles and dust fell groundward to disappear.

With a swiftness that was terribly-dangerous for a creature his immense size, the Mad Giant shot a glare down at Brendoran. "BEATINGS!!" His foot stomped the cavern floor and everyone nearby flew about a halfling's height into the air to land on unsure feet. He turned from Otiorin to Brendoran, never blinking. Seeing things only he seemed to see.

"AHA! I SEE! YES! HOLY FAT-CAT! SILVERBLOOD FAT-CAT! DOES NYMPH-WOMAN NOT DESERVE THE BEATINGS?! FOR HURTINGS?! AND STEALINGS?!" He continued to point accusingly at Nivirea while demanding of Brendoran and Otiorin.

"How does he know these things?!" Bria covered her ears from all of his shoutings. The peaceful healer was caught between sorrow and sympathy for him and terror for her fellow Wayward Wanderers. Powerpaw was caught in one emotion only - confusion. His brain was a fighting brain and it was clear to all of you that most of this was going straight over his furry head.

"Bren!" Bria shouted and she sounded awfully small. She crossed the distance from the rear to join Otiorin and those in the front. "Bren! Do you think he will let me heal the damage Nivirea did? I can do it! We should at least--" But she was cut off as the Mad Giant simply moved in front of Otiorin, Nivrea, Powerpaw, and Bren. She made for Otiorin and stayed near him and his twin Elvish blades.

As the Mad Giant moved, there came a realization to the Paladin of Mielikki. Never before had any giant ever filled Brendoran Sarabina's vision like this one. From here, something in Brendoran's memory drifted back to Sharseya and fair Averlund, Highwind and Shandra's Evergreen and blasted trees and grasses where orcs and ogres stomped and smashed. Ogre Magi chanted and bellowed. Then Vaprak the Destroyer, God of Trolls, appeared from the very Abyss! And the Light in the Dark took to action!

Though it was but a memory, Brendoran could find similarities without leaping too far. Similarities between not orc nor ogre nor giant of Averlundian nature - something in Bren's experience seemed to suggest this creature was closer to Vaprak's own Demigod stature than to any Averlundian thing on two legs. Out of the corner of Bren's eye, a very tiny winged girlish figure trailing lovely blonde hair flitted away and disappeared. Then his mind and visions were his own once again.

"BEATINGS FOR SCREAMY-THIEF?! YES?!" The Mad Giant demanded answers of the armored cat Brendoran. He was seeking a voice outside of himself - and waiting impatiently for answer.


The Mad Giant 20200425_142632.jpg
The Mad Giant
Image Credit: Erol Otus! =)
GAME DETAILS Location: Near Varelys Trading Post
Mode: Exploration
Click Blue Box for Ambiance =)
"D&D Ambiance - Dark, Dank Cave" by Sword Coast Soundscapes


 
Luna steps forward until she is up even with Bren and says in a calm but loud voice so she can be heard, "My good giant, is there something we can do to make it up to you without giving the woman beatings? If we were to heal your hurts and help you go to sleepies, would you let us go as friends? If you let us go, we promise to let you get all the sleep you can and will not disturb you again."
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
 
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Luna is speaking as clearly and willfully as she can, but right at that moment as she is stepping forward, she slips on a d30-shaped stone and it disrupts her concentration so greatly as to replace thoughts of Diplomacy with thoughts of not landing on her butt.
 
Oreleth also steps forward, and says with an earnest voice, "Master Giant? Can we make it up to you? Our friend here can heal your ouchies, and we can go away quietly to let you get some sleepies and we promise to not bother you any more. Would that be ok with you? Please, don't hurt our friend."
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
 
Oreleth rolls a total of 21 on her Diplomacy check. Success!

On a Diplomacy roll, this means the target's Attitude toward you improves by one place from Neutral to Friendly! Oreleth joins Brendoran (and by extension Otoirin) as being currently on Friendly terms. The Mad Giant is thus Neutral toward Luna (for she didn't Fumble), Bria, and Powerpaw. Towards Nivirea, he remains Unfriendly bent on Hostile.

The following unfolds.

"WHAT?!" the Mad Giant both squeaked and bellowed. "HEAL?! ME OUCHIES?! TAKE AWAY? ME OUCHIES? YES!"

Bria gave Oreleth a big kitty smile for her excellent efforts and, in her lawfulness, the Ko monk returned her attention Brendoran-ward to see if she had the party leader's permission to cast her life-giving magic upon the slightly injured monstrosity.

But then the Mad Giant turned toward Oreleth and with his wild eyes he gazed upon her. "AHA! WHAT? IS IT?! ELF? FAT-CAT? ELF-CAT? YES! ELF-CAT SAYS IT WANTS TO MAKE IT UP TO ME? TO GO AWAY? NOT GIVE BEATINGS TO SCREAMY-THIEF?" he gritted his teeth in anger as he glanced at Nivirea. "WHY?! WHY DOES ELF-CAT SAY SCREAMY-THIEF IS FRIEND?"

How does Oreleth respond?
 
Oreleth thinks rapidly, trying to come up with some solution that will not involve getting any of them killed. She looks up at the giant and simply says, "Everyone makes mistakes. I am sure that she didn't mean to wake you up and make you mad. But, if you really want to see the screamy woman get a fair punishment, why not let this noble strong man give this naughty girl a good spanking? That, along with Bria healing you, should be good enough to let us go, don't you think?"
 
Oreleth has rolled a 16 total on her Diplomacy check! This is in part from her using another precious Action Point and her previous (and only) Diamond of Fate roll which brought her from Neutral Attitude with the Mad Giant to Friendly. So a 16 is (barely) good enough!

"WHAT?!" The Mad Giant roared. Oreleth's suggestion caught the great monster off-guard, so much that he almost dropped his 20-foot-long stone club. He sputtered and made many loud and confusing noises as he looked about from Brendoran to Nivirea then back to Oreleth. For long moments, he seemed not to know what to think at all.

"ELF-CAT SAYS... ELF-CAT SAYS HOLY KITTY-CAT? SHOULD DO BEATINGS? ON SCREAMY-THIEF?! YES, YES!!" He raised his club and shook it. As he did so, the ceiling which was low for him was struck by his fists. This caused all manner of small rocks and the occasional stalactite smashed just feet away from Powerpaw, Otiorin, and Luna. It was clear to see that he possessed the might to bring the cavern down around your ears if he so chose. He looked down at Brendoran, Powerpaw, and Otiorin. For one long moment, he stared crazily at Powerpaw and then to Nivirea.

"WHAT?! WHAT?!"

Powerpaw hissed, his fur rising dangerously. "Don't be askin' me ta be da one ta beat Nivi-face right now! I iz so mad at her fer nearly gettin' us killed here, I could knock her over da moon!"

"Powerpaw!" came the cry from Bria. "We can deal with that later, Fuzzy Goof! Right now, we must make amends to right the wrongs of our friend! Aste'allo verris lasai ris!" Felane grace combined with Ko dedication as white-furred Bria brought forth the powers of life and health. Her right paw whirled in a mid-air majestic dance as she matched words to motion. A blue radiance lifted from her fingertips and sailed gently and easily across the face of the Mad Giant like lively butterflies landing on flowers. Then the lovely energy faded and the Mad Giant appeared healthier. He gave a crooked smile and for one brief moment, his eyes seemed calm. A look of reason passed over him, and he did not seem mad at all.

But that moment did not linger long. "BEATINGS!!" he suddenly cried and pointed at Nivirea. "THEN THE FAT-CATS HELP ME SLEEPIES! I MUST GO TO DREAMYLAND! MUST! MUUUST!!" He pointed his club at Nivirea and the end of it towered above her head. If he dropped it, she would be crushed. The Mad Giant stared first at Brendoran, then at Otiorin, then at Powerpaw, and once at Oreleth and Bria.

"BUT FIRST, BEAAAATINGS!!"

What do the Wayward Wanderers do?

Here, I'll hit the Pause button and allow Wolf Rawrrr Wolf Rawrrr Kaerri Kaerri and Captain Hesperus Captain Hesperus the opportunity to post. What fun here, Gang! 8D]
 
.:|Nivirea Varelys - The Sorceress |:.

Nivirea had been left rightly speechless at Oreleth's proposition. Or perhaps she would have said something, eventually, if the world had been prepared to wait long enough. But the Mad Giant's erratic shouts and movements that immediately followed ensured that she stayed quiet. More than quiet - dazed. Perhaps understandably, after all that ground shaking. By the time the giant's massive club ended up towering above her head, she seemed unstable enough to fall to pieces all on her own. Her eyes looked up with great uncertainty.

Perhaps it wasn't until that point that she could truly grasp the hopelessness of the situation. She tried to say something then, but all that came out was a short, incomprehensible fragment of a word. She tried again.

"No... N-No, no no... Y-You can't. You c-can't be..."

It was unclear to whom exactly she was talking to. Her eyes rapidly moved from one person to the next while her mind was likely in overdrive.
 
Otiorin Taletreader

Otiorin was stunned into silence listening to the giant's words. He knows that Bren is a Paladin, he can see my sorcerous heritage, and Nivirea's too. What if....
He settled his nerves and concentrated, gazing intently at the giant and allowed his draconic senses full rein and allowed his Dragon Sight to grant him vision beyond mortal eyes.
 
Character sheet

This, but with blue eyes
full

Credit: gugu-troll - Professional, Digital Artist | DeviantArt

Dannigan said:
Bria gave Oreleth a big kitty smile for her excellent efforts and, in her lawfulness, the Ko monk returned her attention Brendoran-ward to see if she had the party leader's permission to cast her life-giving magic upon the slightly injured monstrosity.
Click to expand...
Bren nodded swiftly when Bria asked permission to heal the giant -- he'd been thinking of proposing that himself, but had lost the thought as events cascaded. Which they were continuing to do, in a completely unexpected direction.

Psychie said:
But, if you really want to see the screamy woman get a fair punishment, why not let this noble strong man give this naughty girl a good spanking? That, along with Bria healing you, should be good enough to let us go, don't you think?"
Click to expand...
Dannigan said:
"BEATINGS!!" he suddenly cried and pointed at Nivirea. "THEN THE FAT-CATS HELP ME SLEEPIES! I MUST GO TO DREAMYLAND! MUST! MUUUST!!" He pointed his club at Nivirea and the end of it towered above her head.
Click to expand...
The paladin's jaw dropped at Oreleth's irreverent suggestion. Had he the time to reflect, he might have wondered if Nivirea had ever had a spanking in her life. However, he didn't have the time, nor did any of them, and silly as it was, the idea seemed to have gotten the Mad Giant's approval -- and it couldn't involve real harm, not if Bren was dealing the blows -- and the instigator of all this couldn't come up with anything better to say than a spluttered denial. Whether to the giant or Bren or Oreleth, the paladin couldn't tell, and really it didn't matter -- she hadn't come up with a better suggestion nor even anything resembling an apology.

He set his jaw firmly back into place, not liking what he was about to do but really not seeing a better choice. "Very well," he shouted up to the Mad Giant. He reached out to grab Nivirea's arm, preparatory to giving her several resounding smacks on the backside. "Whatever you thought you were doing, save it for after he's gone," he whispered. "Just make this look good to satisfy him!" He shot a quick glance up at the massive club, now hanging over both their heads, then looked meaningfully back down at the sorceress.
 
Luna looks over at Oreleth with open-mouthed shock at the suggestion, then over to Bren and Nivirea to see how the two of them are reacting. In a quiet voice, she says, "Oh. My. Goodness. Um, yes, I suppose that might do the trick. Good thinking, Oreleth. Now, let us hope that the giant is accepting of the 'beatings' that Nivirea will get from Bren."
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
 
.:|Nivirea Varelys - The Sorceress |:.

The girl flinched a little at Bren's advance, but neither said nor did anything to stop him. She looked unsure and uncomfortable, probably bracing herself for what was to happen.
 
Oreleth is silently glad that Nivirea is not putting up much of a fight here, since the alternative may just be getting her head smashed in by the angry giant. I just hope that Brendoran and Nivirea is able to put on a convincing show for the giant to satisfy his need for revenge.
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
 

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 Captain Hesperus Tag!)

Captain Hesperus said:
Otiorin Taletreader

Otiorin was stunned into silence listening to the giant's words. He knows that Bren is a Paladin, he can see my sorcerous heritage, and Nivirea's too. What if....
He settled his nerves and concentrated, gazing intently at the giant and allowed his draconic senses full rein and allowed his Dragon Sight to grant him vision beyond mortal eyes.
Click to expand...

To see the world through the eyes of a dragon... this was one of the blessings that Otiorin could call upon due to his Silver-Dragon-blooded heritage. Otiorin's eyes flared a bright silver luminescence that reached about half his arm's length before it dissipated. This, the other Wayward Wanderers could not miss, nor could the Mad Giant. As for what Otiorin saw, it was for he and perhaps beings like the Pseudo-dragon Sparkle, to know.

Natural 20! Enjoy!

"The Dark Crystal Overture" by Trevor Jones


Otiorin's perspective was suddenly lifted up and out of the Caverns of Pohjola! No longer was he looking through the sharp-eyed senses of a Bastet-born hunting cat, but instead he saw a great field of clouds above him and dark, dangerous mountains not far below. The clouds seemed to swallow everything and the snows they dropped never seemed to end. Otiorin was flying above the Pohjolan mountainside, free and strong. As he passed over a lake, he caught a sharp glimpse of himself... or rather herself!

The reflection off the water told of bright blue scales and wings that flared mightily in the air along with bits of lightning that danced effortlessly and harmlessly down her hide. Otiorin knew then that he was seeing through the eyes of none other than SkySting the Immortal! Her view of this ancient, storied land was as broad and all-encompassing as it was fantastic!

As she passed around a bend, an explosion lifted from the mountainside, catching her attention. Out of the great new hole in the rock came the Mad Giant minus his terrible club. As the dust, rubble, and snows settled, Otiorin saw the great monster chomping down on the very rock he had just blown away - with his bare hands. A new tunnel had been formed. Unnoticed in the sky, SkySting saw this and gazed.

Down below, the Mad Giant stumbled along looking woozy and sleepy. He settled down. He reached into his anklet-pouch which was as high off of the ground as Otiorin in his native form was high. From this, he plucked a curious object which shimmered and shined like a platinum star brought down from the heavens! He gazed and gazed at it. And slowly... he fell to sleep.

SkySting began to bear herself away, for this creature, it seemed to Otiorin, was beyond even her reach to meddle with regardless of the shiny prize that rested in his paw. Leaving him alone was the safest course. And yet... she stared awhile longer and cast upon herself some ancient magick unknown to elves or humans. She gazed again at the soundly snoring creature and learned.

Otiorin's point of view was transported again! This time, he was inside a great, green forest where the trees grew tall and the mountains dominated the land without a single city or point of civilization to be seen. There sat the Mad Giant looking much differently than Otiorin had ever seen him. His eyes were calm, half-shut. They brimmed with sanity and clarity. He seemed a little smaller, smoother, younger, with more black hair on his head and his muscles looking less rock-like. Though his boulder-gnashing teeth were still crooked, his warm smile seemed true.

Around the Mad Giant, who was careful to move only his arms, played a score of human-looking children, none more than a dozen years of age. They showed him books and scrolls from which he read to them. He played games with them and shared tales. He brought them treats from the forest and they brought him little arts and crafts and songs which delighted him. When he opened his eyes to their fullest, he could see all of them. The treats, the words in the tiny books, and most of all, the bright faces of these special human children, some of whom did not move or act like typical human children. It seemed to matter not; they loved him and he, them.

A handful of adults wearing brown and white robes emerged from the forest, cautiously but not fearfully. In one of their arms was a child, black-haired and wonderfully handsome, except that his skin was covered in red splotches and his breathing was not right. One look and the Giant spoke a word which caused the playing children to assemble before him. He counted them all to be certain they were together. Only after this did he rise to his full height and when he did, the gazes of adults and children rose with him.

He beckoned them all to follow him and through the forest they went, over rivers that bubbled down the wide mountain, and the clear trail that each of his horse-sized footsteps left. Finally, they came to a shining pond where pink and yellow flowers bloomed around it by the dozens. Here, the Mad Giant stopped for he would not enter this place nor allow the others to set foot in it. He reached one hand down and with the adults' permission, he took the sickly child into his great paw and with a gentleness only the kindhearted know, he deposited the child upon the flowers and with his fingertips, he carefully washed the child in the waters of the pond.

Time passed. He entertained and fed the child while he was awake and guarded him without sleeping when the child was in Dreamland. When the Giant plucked him up again, the child was hale and hearty and climbing the Giant's fingers with joy. The people for whom the child belonged let up cheers and hugged the Giant where they could. They praised him with their greatest affections.

As for the Giant? He simply placed one great paw on the ground and affectionately left its imprint there where they could touch him, in a way, always. Then he smiled a warm, serene smile of someone who was more than sane - his was the smile of compassion. He counted and rose again and together they began their walk back--

"BEATINGS!!"

WIth the speed of a hurtling comet, the shrieked demand blasted Otiorin out of his vision returning him back to the lichen-lit Caverns of Pohjola and solidly back to the present. Gone were the sensations of his dream-vision. Vanished were the mystical castings of an ancient unkillable dragoness. There were only memories now, however vivid, however potent.

And yet, as Otiorin's draconic sight began to fade, he spied now that anklet-pouch that he had seen before in the dream. The furry leathery thing was there on the Mad Giant's left ankle. His dragon-sight seemed to tell him there was something about the pouch that seemed as empty and as vacant as an ogre's mind. A void where something should be.

Then Otiorin found himself among his fellow Wayward Wanderers and looking through the eyes of a Felane once again.


* * *​

"BEATINGS!!" the Mad Giant demanded and pointed a hamfinger at Nivirea and Brendoran. Anyone looking in Otiorin's direction could have sworn the half-elf-become-Felane gave a jump as if in a mild fright. The Rogue/Sorcerer's eyes returned to their normal handsome hue and he was in the spell of his Dragon-sight no longer.

The Mad Giant continued. "YES! YES! HOLY FAT CAT GIVES BEATINGS AND SCREAMY-THIEF STEALS NO MORE! YES! SHE IS GOOD AND YOU HELP ME REACH DREAMYLANDS!" He aimed his club at the other Wayward Wanderers. "YOU WILL LIKE DREAMYLANDS! NO PAIN THERE! NO GOBLINS! ONLY PEACE! ONLLLY PEEEAACE." The Mad Giant briefly looked down at his anklet-pouch as the hint of a proud smile crossed his cracked features.

What do the Wayward Wanderers do?


The Mad Giant 20200425_142632.jpg
The Mad Giant
Image Credit: Erol Otus! =)
GAME DETAILS Location: Near Varelys Trading Post
Mode: Exploration
Click Blue Box for Ambiance =)
"D&D Ambiance - Dark, Dank Cave" by Sword Coast Soundscapes


 
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While Nivirea braced herself and Otiorin discovered, Bria went to Otiorin's side and studied him until he had come safely out of his dragon-sight-induced state.

Once he seemed more like himself, Bria casually looked around and found something about Nivirea that made her do a double-take.

"Nivirea!" the peaceful Healer exclaimed and pointed at the Sorceress. "You're injured! How did that happen?" But her sweet inner nature overrode her curiosity.

"Aste'allo verris!" she called upon the mystical, soothing energies at her command and in a matter of heartbeats, Nivirea's injury was but a memory replaced instead by warm, comfortable healthiness.

"Sorry it took me so long to notice it!" she said in mild embarrassment.

The Mad Giant glanced back and forth between the women and did not seem to mind the interruption.

Powerpaw shook his fuzzy head and snickered. "Bria, iz just like you'se ta try an' make sumbuddy feel better right before dey iz gonna get a reddened behind."

Nivirea is now fully healed.
 
Otiorin Taletreader

He returned to his senses slowly, like a man waking from a pleasant, peaceful dream. As the visions washed over him, Otiorin clutched a furry hand to his broad chest and failed to suppress the gentle sob that escaped his lips.
”I can see,” he said, quietly then repeated with a louder voice, “I see why sleep is so important to you. Do you dream of the forest?”
He walked forward fearlessly, the tears he had wept running freely down his whiskered cheeks.
”Do you long to hear their voices? The children you read to, who you loved and were loved by in turn? I saw the glade where you took the sickly boy, he would have died had you not saved him.”
The transformed Half-elf stopped and touched the pouch that was tied to the giant’s ankle.
”Where is it? Your treasure? The glowing gem you carried? Has the broken goddess entrapped you with its loss like she’s trapped so many others within this hateful realm?”
 
Character sheet

This, but with blue eyes
full

Credit: gugu-troll - Professional, Digital Artist | DeviantArt

Bren noticed the flare of Otiorin's dragon-sight (it was hard not to, after all) but he tried not to let it distract him. This was difficult enough, between two of Summerset nobility who weren't related, and hardly knew each other besides. However, at the moment it seemed the best way to keep the whole group safe from the Mad Giant's rage. And so he set his jaw and began to do as Oreleth suggested.

His grip on the Nivirea's arm gentled somewhat when he saw her flinch, and he almost forgave her right then just out of sympathy. But that wouldn't do at all, not when she'd not only endangered the entire group, but run off instead of helping her own cursed family member to do so, and then tried to deceive them as to what she'd done. Carefully, bearing in mind his altered strength, he turned her to the proper angle and raised his hand.

But then the tear-stricken voice of one he could truly call a friend froze Bren in place before he could go further. The paladin's hold on the sorceress loosened as he stared at Otiorin, and he wondered just what the half-elf's dragon-sight had revealed to affect him so deeply.
 
(Dungeon Master note: Sorry for the delay, Gang. Some scenes are easier to write than others.)


Location: Near the Varelys Trading Post (in Pohjola)
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 Captain Hesperus Tag!)

Captain Hesperus said:
He returned to his senses slowly, like a man waking from a pleasant, peaceful dream. As the visions washed over him, Otiorin clutched a furry hand to his broad chest and failed to suppress the gentle sob that escaped his lips.
”I can see,” he said, quietly then repeated with a louder voice, “I see why sleep is so important to you. Do you dream of the forest?”
He walked forward fearlessly, the tears he had wept running freely down his whiskered cheeks.
”Do you long to hear their voices? The children you read to, who you loved and were loved by in turn? I saw the glade where you took the sickly boy, he would have died had you not saved him.”
Click to expand...

Bria turned to Otiorin as he wept and spoke. The peaceful healer gasped, questions running to the fore of her mind, but these she kept at bay choosing instead to join Otiorin and share or at the very least be there for him during his pain. What he had learned and experienced was beyond her, but she trusted him. However, such methods of learning were beyond not only the wise, loving people of Phoenix Mountain.

The Mad Giant twisted and loomed over Otiorin as he spoke. Otiorin's every word drew more and more confusing animations from the gigantic club-armed monster. "WHAT?! WHAT?! FOREST? SICK CHILD? HOW? HOW DOES HE KNOW? SICK CHILD IS NOW HEALTHY MAN!" He listened more, but his cracked mind could not answer perhaps as it once could.

"READ? READ? NO! CANNOT READ ANY MORE! MADNESS TOOK THAT AWAY TOO! NO WRITING! NO READING! ONLY PAIN AND POUNDING! MUST HAVE DREAMYLAND!"

The Mad Giant crouched down with a sense of gentleness he had not before displayed. There, hed studied Otiorin as if he were something he was familiar with. Still, Otiorin's words while clearly and loudly spoken did not seem to penetrate the insanity that governed the giant's every waking moment. He became distraught, waving his huge stone club about and looking about as if to smash something.

"WHY? WHY IS DRAGON FAT-CAT WEEPING? DO NOT CRY! WHAT HURTS HIM? WHAT? PERHAPS WE CAN CRUSH IT?"

Then Otiorin spoke words that changed the very nature of the Wayward Wanderers' fateful encounter.

Captain Hesperus said:
The transformed Half-elf stopped and touched the pouch that was tied to the giant’s ankle.
”Where is it? Your treasure? The glowing gem you carried? Has the broken goddess entrapped you with its loss like she’s trapped so many others within this hateful realm?”
Click to expand...

"WHERE? IS HERE! YES!" He pointed at his anklet-pouch, evidently not completely understanding Otiorin's words or intent. The Mad Giant replied as only he knew how - madly. "NOT GEM, DRAGON-CAT! IS BETTER THAN ANY GEM! IS DREEEEAAAMMY-CIRCLE!" Like an avalanche changing a vast landscape, a great broken-toothed grin slowly spread across the oversized features of his horrid face. A true duality in the universe, the Mad Giant's smile was so ugly it could crack a rainbow, but it also seemed as sincere as a child's wish.

The Mad Giant reached down to his pouch and began to pat it. "HERE! DREAMY-CIRCLE WILL HELP WEEPING FAT CAT! I HELP HIM! HE WILL NOT WEEPIE, BUT SLEEPIE! DREAMY-CIRCLE IS WHERE I GO WHEN I HAVE SLEEPIES - SO MUCH PEACE! SO MUCH--"

His stony, knotted fingers expertly flipped open the fur-covered pouch. There, he dug about, searching. A confused "WHAT?" escaped his lips and he raised his knee and looked into the pouch. It was completely empty.

"AAAAARRRR!!" came the Mad Giant's terrible roar. Every stone, pebble, and loose item in the cavern seemed to flee; even the lichen. In his surprise and craze, his stone club fell and crashed to the ground as both his hands reached up and ripped out some of his black, wiry hair.

"WHAT?! NO! DREAMY-CIRCLE! WHERE ARE YOU?! WHY DID YOU GO?" He looked about, his sanity slipping by the second. He lifted one foot at a time and looked. He pulled the bag inside-out. It produced nothing. He looked about, his heart racing wildly, his huge eyes unblinking in their desperate search.

"NO DREAMY-CIRCLE MEANS NO SLEEPIES! NO SLEEPIES... NO DREAMYLAND!! NO! NOOO!"

Bria covered her mouth with one paw and choked. "Oh no... I can't take this!" Bria could not help herself. Frantically, the Ko monk said a word of command. Her fighting stick flared into an additional source of luminescence, none of which were needed to see well as nearly every cavern here glowed blue and green from the mosses. Watery-eyed, Bria began looking everywhere at once for something, anything, that looked like a "dreamy-circle."

"Yah gotta be kiddin' me!" Powerpaw angrily sputtered a number of curses best left in gladiatorial arenas as he found himself searching all over in an attempt to find something that was apparently not here to be found. There were simply no hiding places or stones on the cavern floor large enough to hide something that might fill the pouch that hung from the ankle of the Mad Giant.

The Mad Giant was becoming more turbulent and unhinged by the heartbeat. He turned and stomped back down the tunnel, screaming and searching, "DREAMY-CIRCLE!! PLEASE!"

What do the Wayward Wanderers do?


The Mad Giant 20200425_142632.jpg
The Mad Giant
Image Credit: Erol Otus! =)
GAME DETAILS Location: Near Varelys Trading Post
Mode: Exploration
Click Blue Box for Ambiance =)
"D&D Ambiance - Dark, Dank Cave" by Sword Coast Soundscapes


 
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Luna looks up at the tortured giant with a horrible tearing at her heart. Tears come to her eyes as she turns to Bria. "Dear Bria, if there was ever a time for your healing touch, now is that time. I know I ask a lot, but is there anything that can be done to ease this poor giant's pain and soothe his madness? Anyone with eyes can see that he is suffering greatly."
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
 
Bria paused just long enough to stare at Luna, flabbergasted. "Luna, if I could have helped him, don't you think I would have done so by now? For goodness sake, don't just stand there - help us find his missing circle-thing!"

Bria continued looking. For what, she did not know. But she knew one thing - she would be looking for answers after this.
 
Oreleth stands still for a moment, then slowly turns her eyes to Nivirea. In a quiet voice as to not be overheard by the giant, she asks, "Nivirea? Didn't you say earlier that you may have taken something from him? Was it this 'circle-thing' that he's going on about?"
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
 
.:|Nivirea Varelys - The Sorceress |:.

The young sorceress seemed to shrink in response to the Mad Giant's unfurling fury. The expression on her face was more grave than ever.

"Huh?" she looked at Oreleth quizzically "Ah, y-yes... I mean no, what I meant was that I found something in the tunnels that I suspected might belong to him," she explained, starting to slowly rummage through her packpack. "Ehh... is... Is this it?" she asked, taking the shiny object out into the light and displaying it on the palm of her hand for all to see.
 
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