Old Friends

Glant, mouth still hanging open in awe, "what wonders to behold, it
seems we have freed the ravens, and experienced something that most will
never, but what is this key to power? I do not recall anything with a
lock that required a key, though I am a latecomer to this group, so tell
me has anyone else seen a lock that this key might go to?"

Marta does not recall anything with a key to power
context..................she is pondering the past events.

Cronar fingers the key, and if he recalls what has just transversed he
will begin to pray in thanksgiving for the return of his friends. He
thinks of the key to power. Power is a two-edged sword that often brings
misery as much as joy. Power is a burden, and one that should be addressed
with great solemnity. He looks at the impression of the ox and thinks, how
apt, for this gift of power is a yoke. He bows his head knowing that it is
his destiny to take up this burden and pursue this destiny, but wonders
what lies on the other edge of this razor sharp sword......

2/10/998rw 3pm

As the group considers the import of the Key, Horst and Yahn appear in a corner of the room. Both shake off the affects of being "Hard" for such a period. Oeric the Druid checks them out and introduces himself, "You have been through quite an ordeal although you missed an exceptional finish." He proceeds to fill them in on the attack of the scorpions and the near miss at his joining with the party at a bad time, when he was confused with the attack of the Demon creature. The Divine transformation of Cronar and the release of the Ravens concluded the recent happenings. "Perhaps we should visit with a Sage or Bard to uncover the mystery behind the Key? Anyone have other ideas on where we proceed from here?" The Druid sits on a nearby rocking chair, undoubtedly a favorite resting place of the departed witch, with his staff resting across his knees. "Of course we still have some unexplored areas in this mountain to visit if that is desired."

Glant "If we still have unexplored areas here, then I suggest we explore
those before we go searching elsewhere.

Cronar is in favor of making the discovery of the information on the key,
a large priority.

If there aren't any objections Marta would like to look briefly over the
scroll and the ring?

Cronar has no objections and offers the ring for Marta to luck at.

After shaking off the last remnants of the flesh to stone spell Yahn
asks. "What was the complete poem? I joined you after it was learned.
I am sorry that I could not be of more help in the battles that took
place. Maybe I can be of some help now."

Oeric bows to Marta, "Of course you may examine the scroll and ring young lady. Perhaps you may be able to use them to further your ambitions, eh?" The Druid gives her a playful wink but acts serious in front of the others. "It appears we have one vote to continue exploring this mountain. I have little interest in it but that doesn't mean nothing of great value can't be obtained through discovery." Several minutes pass while Marta studies the Ring and Scroll. "Well," asks Horst still a little woozy from his petrification, "What do you know?"

Glant eyes the elfin chainmail with disdain "i sure wish that chainmail
were human sized, it sure would come in handy, oh well.so are we going
to explore the rest of this mountain, or are we leaving?"

Cronar says: Let us put it to a vote. Majority wins....
I vote to leave.

Horst steps forward and raises a hand, "Please, we have satisfied the Gods, now it is time to care for ourselves and the first priority is to return to the horses. We believe them to be where we left them with Gillian. Oeric said he was still there but we should leave. Some grumbling ensues but the party grabs all the booty and descends through the mountain finding itself once again at the falls. With several trips for wood the group manages to make the short crossing all reaching safely. Once you manage to finally reach the far side of the lake at the spill way you find the little man Gillian still sleeping peacefully under a small oak tree.

Marta walks over to Gillian and gently awakens him.....................long
time no see there stranger with a wide smirk on here face.

"Ahhh, friend Gillian," Yahn says, "What an adventure you have missed!"

Glant "so this is Gillian huh? it looks like he has had a rough time,
must be tough holding that tree up."

The Leprechaun opens one eye, "So, the conquering heroes return with treasure and story. I see Oeric found you. Where is Lester, you lose him in the mountain?"

Glant "I am afraid Lester did not make it, he was taken out by the sting
of a giant scorpion."

Gillian lowers his head for a few moments then looks to Horst, "I take it the Ravens are free?" Horst let's a small smile escape, "Yes, thank the Gods!" "So where are we off to now, it is starting to get dark."

Oeric, feeling a bit strained from the battle and the subsequent swim
back to shore, uses his staff for support and walks slowly to Gillian,
unsure how to tell the little fellow about Lester's demise. Upon
reaching Gillian and Glant, Oeric shakes his head as Glant bluntly
reveals Lesters death at the sting of a scorpion.
His voice smooth and calm, "Friend Gillian, Lester is a hero, and should
not be grieved but instead praised for his bravery. He is now in
Valhalla, ready to once again battle evil for the safety of his friends."

Gillian jumps to his feet picking up a loose weed and clamping it between his teeth, "Well said friend Oeric. He will not be forgotten I assure you."

Glant "Well we were trying to think of someplace where this key with the
ox impression, that we received, would be used, do you happen to know
anything about this?"

"Corinthia is know for the oxen in many parts because of their plentiful harvests," says the Leprechaun. "I can't remember if any of the God's symbols is the ox. Some research might prove useful if no one knows." Gillian looks thoughtful then adds, "I have no clue about that key or its purpose."

Glant "well then, unless someone has a better idea, then I suggest we
find somewhere to do some research on this ox, any suggestions where we
could do this?"

Horst motions Cronar over, "Might as well camp here, what do you say. Get a fresh start in the morning. We can make it back to Caruth where I can rejoin my Temple."

Cronar thinks for a moment and says: "I think Horst's suggestion is the
most prudent course, I will take first watch"

Marta thinks it is also wise to camp here for the night.................she
would like to examine the scroll and the ring.

Glant "I think we should have at least 2 people on watch at a time, if
the rest of you agree, then I will take second watch."

Yahn "I mind not taking an early watch. My stony curse left me plenty of
time to rest."

Talanos, Horst and Gillian both except the last watch while Cronar and Marta take first and Oeric, Yahn and Glant taking the second. Marta busies herself studying the scroll and ring. Four large(over 8 feet tall) creatures possibly giants appear out of no where. They seem surprised by your presence. You all have a free round of actions. The creatures are very close (8 yards).

Glant "it looks like we have company." Glant then begins the incantation
to a spell(Armor), and then draws his sword, but keeps it in a defensive
position for now. "perhaps we will get lucky, and they are friendly,"
Glant says this with slight sarcasm, based on the fact that so far not
much has been friendly.

Overhearing Horst's suggestion to Cronar, Oeric nods, "Yes, a rest would
do us all good. I'll take Dawn watch, the best time for my communion
with my goddess." Oeric retrieves his pack, takes out his blanket and
lies on the ground, taking comfort from touching the earth.

Marta thinks it wise to start the wake the others while stepping back from
the creatures...............after that she thinks it wise to cast wall of
fog.

The creatures' arrival surprises Oeric as he sets camp, but his
experience allows him to rapidly respond to the new threat.
"Freya, aid your humble servant by lighting his enemies afire," Oeric
prays to his goddess, his right hand extended, fingering the 4 giants.
Moments later, the four giants radiate a green glow. [faerie fire]
Oeric yells out "Halt, foul creatures or feel the wrath of Freya." in
both Gnoll and Hill Giant.

Talanos, who still seems to be a little disoriented after recent events,
quickly takes up his bow and looses two arrows at the creatures, provided
he has a clear shot.

"Friends stay thy hands." Yahn shouts. He then turns to the tall
figures, "Hail friend. We have had many trials these last few days and
my companions are quick to defend themselves." If for any reason Yahn
is interrupted (battle, etc.). He will stop to listen to them or he
will dive into the fray with both fists.

As the semi-darkness closes in around the party four large giants appear almost out of no where in your midst. Marta quickly hollers out a warning and mumbles an incarnation that immediately shrouds the giants in a bank of impenetrable fog. Oeric also cast some spell whose effect goes momentarily unnoticed. Talanos prepares an arrow and Glant also casts some magic. None of the party had as yet gone to sleep except for Gillian who still hadn't as yet moved from his spot beneath the tree. You hear some Giantish cursing then one of the large humanoids steps through the fog an eerie green light outlining its enormous frame. You hear the sounds of the other three giant creatures conversing angrily. The giant you see has a large boulder in its hands and appears ready to hurl it in your general direction.

Talanos pauses, an instant before releasing his first arrow. He lowers his
bow...but not his guard.

Gillian apparently notices the Giant readying a huge boulder, "Who invited him to our camp? This simply won't do, no not at all." Pushing himself up to his feet he digs in a deep pocket and extracts a small bit of fleece then gesticulating wildly while muttering some arcane phrases, "Sampras fundai creeper mopis de-leprechaunis." Two more leprechauns appear next to him.

As his friend tries to converse with the giant, Glant will watch to see
what the giant does.

Cronar draws his crossbow and begins shooting the spiders.

Marta decides it prudent to move out to the side of the giant.....she
sidesteps to the right while drawing her daggers which she might
launch........

Watching the giant, Siobhan moves into the edge of the wall of fog.
Moving cautiously she draws her sword and if the giant starts to move as
if to hurl the boulder, then she will move as quickly as possible to
ham-string it before it has a chance to attack....

Oeric tries to decipher what the giants are saying as he makes another
request from his goddess. "Divine Freya, bind your faithful servant's
enemies with the strength of the trees."

Talanos raises his bow again and looses the nocked arrow at the giant with the boulder.

The Giant hurls the boulder at Oeric inflicting serious hurt to the Druid. With a cry of triumph the Giant jumps up and down almost unaware of the protruding arrow that Talanos has launched into its thick skin. Unfortunately, Talanos second arrow tangled in his bow string and he lost the shot but the string doesn't break. Cronar attempted a crossbow shot but it went wide of the mark. Oeric who was in some kind of trance loses whatever ability he was trying to attempt and falls heavily to the ground with a thud, boulder rolling away blood-splattered. Horst hustles off into the darkness near the Fog bank. Siobhan rushes the giant swinging wildly and missing. Gillian prepares to throw darts but the warrior women gets in his way and he holds waiting for better opportunities. Yahn unanswered by the giants dives into the battle both fists flailing in classic Kung-Fu style. Marta stabs at the Giant with her dagger and misses. As the party assumes battle formations the three other Giants, also outlined in the blue glow rush out of the fog growling in anger.

Only one of the other giants is holding a boulder.

Yahn engaged the giant with terrifying ferocity inflicting terrible hurt with just a couple of landed blows. Seeing a general melee erupting, Talanos tosses his bow aside and draws his longsword, before rushing to attack the nearest giant, his expression one of contorted bloodlust. As he moves to attack the wounded giant another comes out of the fog in his way, crossed up by the sudden giant his sword swings wild. The Giant fairs just as poorly missing Talanos head by a mere breath. Gillian notices Talanos plight and flings his daggers carefully at the Giants head doing little damage but perhaps throwing the Giant off stride.

The three battle it out though Gillian quickly runs low on daggers and moves to strike with a short sword. The Giant moves slowly and with only bare hands fairs poorly against the Elf with glancing blows. Talanos slashes and dances cutting the Giant remorselessly.

Meanwhile Marta starts to mumble "keioa iaeoi tiei" and small spits of fire shoot at the giant who is holding the bolder...The Giant is getting by these balls of fire despite its' attempts to avoid them. Siobhan whirls both long and short blades making the Giant pay. Yahn dances around the other side of those whistling blades landing more blows to the giant!! Between the three the Giant crushes to the ground dead after doing some damage to Yahn and Siobhan. Yahn moves to defend Cronar who has been battling a Giant on his own After launching one crossbow bolt into the new Giant who had simultaneously thrown his bolder at Cronar. Rushing Cronar the Giant starts to pummel him with bare hands like anvils. Glant notices Cronar's peril and lends a few arrows as compensation. Cronar's mighty two-handed sword lends it's own misery to the Giant. The Giant still stands handing out punishment on Cronar. The last Giant charges Cronar but is mauled from behind by Horst who had used the Fog to cover his fortuitous circular movement. Oeric through his pain, he slowly requests aid from his goddess, "Freya, thy servant has fallen in combat against his enemies. Renew his strength so he can return his enemies to Hell." The Giant turns to face Horst and they battle on. Horst starts to get the worst of it but Oeric who had been administering to his own pain enters the fray and lends a helpful hand. The Giant lands a smashing blow on the Cleric's head and he crumples to the ground.

Current situation: Three Giants remain. One in bad shape that Talanos and Gillian are battling. One Giant who has very little damage is ready to pummel Oeric who isn't feeling to well himself. The last Giant on Cronar is also pretty beat up.

Talanos ignores his injuries and presses his attack, battling on in deadly
silence, letting his blade speak for him. Gillian not the best swordsman parries more than he attacks trying to draw the Giants attention away from the skilled Ranger. Talanos delivers a masterful attack and Gillian takes a serious hit from the Giant. With a final thrust the Giant slumps in a heap.

Glant seeing his friends are in trouble, drops his bow, and pulling his
swords free, longsword in right hand, and shortsword in left, he runs
to the Giant who just downed Cronar, and attacks viciously, angered by
the attack on his friend. Cronar who while badly wounded is not out for the count, pursues his attacks on the wounded giant before him. It is a good thing that friend Glant comes to Cronar's aid as the Giant smashes him with his fist and Cronar falls unconscious just as Glant arrives. Glant slashes with his longsword wounding the hurt Giant but gets smacked in return, both Giant and Glant fall to the ground in pools of their own blood.

Horst will charge after the giant with both Maces in hands(one in each hand)
that is fighting Oeric. But he does this in a dream because his life blood is seeping into the soil. Oeric realizes he can't escape the Giant who just downed Horst so he continues the attack with the aid of Siobhan and Yahn. Siobhan will move from the downed giant and will try to get to Oeric before the giant near him attempts to pulverize him ....Yahn seeing his companion in need of help, he rushes to Oeric and lays into the giant with both fists.

All three strike the Giant with horrific damage sending the Giant reeling backwards quickly looking around it notices that his three companions are down and attempts to flee but Siobhan and Yahn have the blood lust up and slay him before he makes another step.

Oeric moves to bind and heal those most desperate.
Talanos moves to help.
"Where did they come from?" he asks. "Think maybe we should try to
back-track them?"

Oeric tends to the wounded, biting back the pain from the injuries
he suffered. "Freya, aid this man(woman) by washing away the pain.
He(she) has heroically fought off the minions of Loki, and has
endured much agony. Please bless this child," Oeric prays as he
administers to each person, binding their wounds, using herbs to
fend off infection.

"Hah! Hah!" cries Yahn as he roughly slaps Siobhan on the shoulder.
"Well me friend. This battle certainly proves us warriors, no? Come
now let us attend to our friends."

Gillian holds his head, "Ohhh, my head hurts. We need to get Horst back to health

or we're all in trouble." Oeric binds everyone's wounds but is out of spells to do his two

cure lights for the day.

Cronar feebly raises his hand for cures exposing a gash in his side.

Glant moves around in fits, as if experiencing nightmares, and every
once in a while mumbling strange things about giants and battle.

Oeric will try to make those that are unconscious as comfortable as
possible, retrieving blankets from their packs to keep them warm.
Oeric will then forage for plants and herbs that can be used to help
soothe pain in the surrounding woodland area.

Oeric's pain seem to melt away as he enters the woodland area, his
spirits soar as he walks gently on the ground, careful to avoid stepping
on any forest life, be it plant or insect. Naming the different types
of flora he sees, Oeric examines and tries to recall their medicinal
properties. Gently plucking the plants he needs, he places them in a
pouch, voicing thanks to Freya and the plants for the precious gifts.
As he returns to the campsite, Oeric reminisces (sp?)
about his master Mistrahn and his deceased mother. He wonders how the
man that saved his soul is doing. He hopes his health is as good as
ever. Oeric chuckles, recalling stories of his master. His mood turns
somewhat darkly as he remembers his mother's abrupt demise. A sudden
resentment against the people of his village arise within, but Oeric
quickly stifles it. His master has taught him that life is a cycle, and
death is an integral part of this cycle. The circumstances of death is
not relevant, and must be accepted to keep one in tune to the order of
Nature. Oeric sighs, agreeing wholeheartily with his master. He must
stay focus.

The night is a long hard one for those unable or unwilling to sleep. Come morning Oeric is able to revive Horst and the serious healing begins the following day. After three more days of rest and the Cleric working like mad the party gets back to healthy enough to ride.

2/11/998rw weather a 7 nice

2/12/998rw and a 5 nicer still

2/13/998rw and a 11 fair to partly cloudy

Actions?

"Where to now?" asks the elf-ranger.

During the three days, Oeric, when not tending to the wounded, spends
most of his time exploring the forest, checking for herbs and other
plants he can use for the future. By the third day, when the group has
fully recovered and ready to leave, Oeric decides that he will stay with
these adventurers. He has learned much about them in the past week and
feels an affinity to them. He believes that they are the
adventurers he's been dreaming about, but decides not to disclose this
information yet.

Rolling up his bedroll and placing it in his pack, Oeric puts on his
belt, attaching his scimitar to it, and stands, holding his staff for
support. "Friends, I will go where you go. I believe my place is with
you. May Freya watch us all." He speaks in a mild tone.

Horst feels very well and thanks Oeric for his healing. Horst spends some
time resting recovering from his fatigue of the battle and then talks to the
rest of the group about the next action.

Upon recovering consciousness, and being healed, Glant approaches Oeric
"thank you friend, I am in your debt. "turning to the rest "so what now?
I suggest we move, I do not wish to meet another group of wandering giants."

"I'm sorry if my memory is bad," says Talanos, "But what is - or was - our
task?"

Gillian pipes in, "I think we decided to return to the city of Caruth."

Siobhan spend the three days recovering from the injuries sustained
during the search of the dungeon and the subsequent battle with the
Giants. She also begins to practice with her weapons on a regular basis
once her wounds have begun to heal properly. "Did we collect the jug full of silver on the way out?? Or should we be going back to collect it before we leave."

"Silver?" Gillian has her immediate attention.

Glant: huh? what jug of silver? and what captives?

Oeric shakes his head, "No need to thank me. You were healed by the
loving grace of Freya, and I was only the instrument she used to direct
her energy. Thank HER, Glant. By respecting life, you will be doing her
will."

Marta has spent these last few days tending to the wounded and inspecting
the ring and scrolls.....also preparing her spell list to better suite the unexpected future.....
she smiles wistfully at Oeric in thanks for the aid in healing the others...

"Where are we heading to, Cronar?" Oeric asks.

Glant "yeah, where do you suggest we head?"

Siobhan
"If I remember correctly we had suggested visiting either the Temple at
Briss or Horsts' Temple at Caruth in order to determine what the Key to
Power was that Odin presented to us....." She mentions he said that heading back to Briss would be as good a way to start as any .... we can also see if the key fits the temple there ?!"

"Siobhan, your mind even outshines your glorious beauty," Oeric grins.
"May your beauty never fade, and your mind remain as sharp."

Cronar returned to vivacious health, looks over the group and says. "We fought well against the giants. Now it is time to move on." He strides out taking the lead.

As the party mounts up and rides off the carrion fly in to devour the dead and decaying Giants.

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