Dice Shame - 22 | 'Deep Water'

Episode Date: March 12, 2020

The party finishes their business in Waterdeep before deciding where to head next... Comedy, action and a whole lot of shaming come together in Dice Shame, an Actual Play Podcast of Storm King's Thunder by Wizards of the Coast! Join our GM Jo; her partner Harlan, his brother Alex & their best friends Justin and Rob as they tackle the daunting world of Faerun in this legendary adventure module! Dice Shame is a podcast that welcomes its audience to the gaming table. Like the games they play at home, they try not to take themselves too seriously. The show aims to be entertaining, inclusive, and irreverent, while still taking the rules (somewhat) seriously. Join us every Thursday morning for brand new episodes available on all major platforms including; Spotify, iTunes, Google Play and more! If you haven't checked it out yet... what are you waiting for?!? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There I stood, holding the orcs head in my hand. I'm not responsible for the moments clerics have. There are things in this world far worse than giants. What did you do? That to Baxi you travel with. Said that he wants to kiss you today. I don't understand a single thing he does. Let's call it past business.

And I slip out to the alleyway. Oh, Doren, come to bed. What do you say? Does that make sense? No. What? Welcome back to Dyshame. This is episode 22, Deepwater. This week's MVP is Alexei Ozorov for his amazing work on this week's episode.

Not only is he a friend of Dyshame and a fan of this podcast, but he has done some amazing work that you're going to have to listen for in today's episode. If you guys are in Toronto, BracoCon is happening March 20th. to 22nd. There's no better way to close off a March break. Breakout Con is the premier tabletop

gaming convention in Toronto. Check it out. It is such a blast and we might be there. You never know. Let's go. There comes a time

in every adventuring party when the question has to be asked what do we do now? There are threats tied to each of you drawing you all in different directions right now. What is your character care most about? What are they excited about learning?

Where do they want to travel? I tell you it is definitely a challenge as a DM. When we sit down at the table together, I'm just hoping that I've prepared the right stuff, you know? So you guys have followed up on Z's inheritance. You got those two magical items from the butler of house Thane. That guy was so annoying. No, he was the best.

So slow, slow. Goodbye. I mean, it's the speed of bureaucracy. There's no clear. You know, you think Waterdeep's fast-paced, but really it's the slow-moving bureaucracy of the service that... Like deep water. Slow-moving, like deep water. So you get that undertow, man.

The undertow of Waterdeep, don't go there. You went to Amphail at Miroz's request and talked to Arliosa's Stonehenge and received a magical ring that you haven't really investigated any further. Just wait for rent to put it on this finger. Is that in the bag of holding? I think she gave it to Dorin. I have it. I really want it. You took Maxine's advice.

and spoke with the dragon expert Charles Loth-Yoghorn, who told you to go seek out old gna bone, a green dragon, and gave you some potions of poison resistance. Yeah, we each took one. Yes. Yes. And finally, Liferlis asked you to go on a hike pretty far out of the neighborhood to go to the high forest.

Mm-hmm. High forest. Yeah, to look for a moon elf druid. Which sounds pretty fun for me. And I think Kralath and I and Doren were sitting around a table and be in the barrel. I think you guys were closing on a bar and I was sleeping over at Torren.

Yeah, so I want to start out with Jack and Torrin. Torin and Jack are in Torin's chamber. The candles are lit. There's the remnants of a fire smoldering in the fireplace. It's a chilly night. I think Kieran has let himself back into the room and you're both laying in bed. There's a little bit of some sweaty pillow talk going on.

Yeah. maybe it is just a moment of quiet where there's this space for like a conversation about about could any of the stuff they talked today what what future might hold and I think Jack is like flinching away from that conversation trying to just be present in the moment and not not spoil it by by thinking about futures that can't be or I think Torin's also not keen on repeating the events of this afternoon he reaches up and pushes a lock of hair out of your eyes. And he says, Jack, that to Baxi you travel with, said that he wants to kiss you today. I just want you to tell me that there's nothing that I need to worry about, please.

Oh, no. Why would... I don't know. I don't know why he said it. Just tell me there's nothing there. Oh, Torin, there's nothing there. I'm not sure there's anything there at all. And that's the biggest mystery to me. I don't understand a single thing he does. What do you mean? He decided to be the only one in his giant family to come and sell arrows on this side of the pond. So he says, but he set out not knowing where he ended up. He ended up in a bar. And I hired him once to help me haul some stuff to a dig site. And then we ended up here. Sounds like you don't like him very much. He's really thoughtful and smart in some really specific ways, but just endlessly frustrating

in some others. Like the other day, he woke up. He literally had a prophetic dream of some kind. his fur smelled of sea spray and he was talking about a whole other awful ritual of sacrifice he'd seen and then thought, it's not worth talking about. I don't want to talk about it's just a dream. But why does he want to kiss you? When did he say that? Just at the bar. You and I had just spoken together this afternoon and I was getting back to work. He said that he thinks you're a great guy and he sometimes wants to kiss you. Oh, I'll talk to him, but I'll, I'll talk to him, but I I promise you, there isn't anything between he and I. That's not a, I don't connect with him in that way at all. That's, that's good to know, I guess. It worries me that you have people in your party that you're

going to have to rely on. He seems like kind of a loose cannon. In a pinch, Red was the one who kept his head and, and told me where to put pressure and help me keep Kralath alive. The, the time he was, he was, he was on the ground dying. And the other time he was on the ground dying when we were, when we were in Nightstone with those bandits barreling down at us. I mean, Red was the one who had his head there and helped me get through it without him. I mean, we'd have probably died before the letter I sent you had any chance to save that town. So he's got skills. He's an incredible shot. I've seen him put an ogre down with two arrows. That's some comfort at least. Yeah. Jack, listen about what I asked you earlier. Forget I said anything. I understand that you're busy.

And please, just, it seems like right now Fahruin needs you more than I do. Just don't fucking die, okay? Torin, what you were talking about that life, I, sometimes I wish that was what we could be. And I would never ask you not to work at the copper cup, not to, not to, this is your endeavor. And it's, um, I carry a piece of you with me everywhere. You're always in my heart. I'm out. You're never far from my thoughts.

He embraces you and then excuses himself to go to the washroom. You see like a glimmer of tears in his eyes maybe. And then he returns after a minute. And the two of you hold each other and fall asleep. Back at the bee and the barrel. Guys, it's getting really late. We see a busy tap room. Red and Kralath are deep in conversation.

They have their heads together. in the corner of the bar, and Doren is sitting at the bar, entertaining the locals with tall tales such as only he can tell. And you wouldn't believe it. There I stood on the top of the hill, holding the orcs head in my hand. And just as I look down to applaud my kin for the amazing battle we just withstood, didn't I turn around and realize there was another army behind us? I threw the head into the army

And just like that The rest of my flank Followed me into battle And not only did we destroy one army that day We took down Two Orkish armies Yes, you can believe it I feel like as the crowd is like

Clapping and awing Krilath and I are actually like Sort of turned looking, watching him a little bit And I'm like How many times have you heard that story? This is the fourth for me Oh, at least five. Doesn't it seem like every single time the Ork Army gets a little bigger?

A little bit bigger. First it was one, and then it was, what, two score this time? Yep, yep, something like that. He's quite a character. I'm really happy we met him, you know? You know, me too. And I have to say that I feel like I've improved as a fighter since we first started traveling together.

I mean... Me too. You remember our first day in Nightstone? Oh, God, yes. That was... I ran into the square and lurted that wargo of a creature was... I ran in right behind you, but then I forgot you can climb. You did run in right after behind me, didn't you?

Yep, I did. You just had me on your mind trying to protect me. That's right, and then I found myself surrounded by wargs, and then I found myself unconscious on the ground. Did I ever thank you for coming in after me? Oh, I'm sure you did. Well, you know what, if I didn't, thank you. I appreciate you very much.

You know, I've been thinking about this since we arrived in Waterdeep, kind of reliving how you and I met and all that. Yeah. We've been whisked away to this crazy, Ordening, what do you take of all this? What is your grand idea here? Honestly, as long as I'm with the three of you, I'm happy. I mean, we'll go into battle, we'll face giants,

but it seems the thing to me that's stayed consistent and has stayed a positive aspect in my life is the friendship that we've all formed together. So I say, ordaining, as long as I got the three of you, bring it on. I'm feeling about the same, I think. I mean, obviously, I think we work really well as a team, and obviously you're my best friend,

and I know that Dorn and I have butt heads at certain circumstances, but ultimately I think we respect each other. Of course, of course. Jack, I think he and I butt heads at times too, but I would still call him my friend. I hope that whatever comes next, we tackle it together. I worry to think of some of the... these forces that we come up against, those two

hill giants in golden fields, they were not small. Now, if you all think that was a story for the records, wait until you hear this one. There I lied on the ground, two arrows in my chest, and would you believe it,

that little fox, and Doran points across the bar to Red and Krelot. That little fox over there, with his keen eye, managed to take down an ogre with two arrows himself. This is a sight for your eyes, all of you.

The bar erupts into applause. People are buying you rounds of drinks. In the middle of this chaos, a halfling enters, does a double take, and then marches across the room and taps you right on the shoulder, Doran. Orin Yogle V, at your service, Master Iron Fist. I'm so pleased I found you. I thought, just check one more tavern.

and if you didn't find them, call it a night and get a hot dinner in you. But there you are in the flesh. I couldn't find you the morning after the giant's attack. He was too much fuss all over the place and folk were so disoriented from the party and all. Miro said you'd be headed to Waterdeep, so I came straight here to find you, and I've been looking for two days, and I'd just about given up hope. He grabs your tankard of ale and takes a big swig from it and then puts it back down on the table. Well, Abar is always looking for a band of noble heroes such as yourselves to tag along with. I'm not much for slaying ogres and giants myself,

but, God, if it isn't the stuff of the greatest legends of our time, I knew I'd have to find you, I beg of you, let me come with you. Doran, surprised by the small halfling, jumps from the top of the bar where he stands and with a solid thud hits the ground, both his feet, sticks at an arm and says, Orin, that's a really nice name. and I would love if you came along

and sang some songs about us. Let me introduce you to a couple of my companions that I've got here with me tonight. It's killing me that we've got Orin, Doran, and Torin. For real. Let me just tell you right now, this is not the end of the rhyming scheme. Oh, no!

These are written names, Orin Yogelvie. If you remember, he is the author of It's High Harvest Tide in Goldenfield, the song that Alex saying for us. I just say I recognize the name. Yes. High Harvest High In Goldenfield. As you steer Oren toward the table with your friends, Doran, he continues his reassurances.

I won't get in your way, I promise. I will write the songs about ye that will net ye any maiden that you could land your eye upon. Oren and I walk up to Red. Doran? This is Oren. Oren, my friend Red and Crayloth. Doran, where did you meet Oren? Oren, where did you come from?

I came down by way of North Furrow Road. And you met Doren? I did. I came in here and I said, Oren, there's Doren. Did you see Torin? Who's Torin? Torin is at the cup a cup hole with Jack. Jack doesn't ride.

You all are making my head spin. Yeah, so I introduce you to Orin. Well, hello, I remember you. You were at the Goldenfield. Yes, we heard your song. It was quite lovely. Oh, I thank you very much. It's absolutely my finest talent,

wordsmithing and, you know, writing song. But you came in just in time for me to show off my talent. Doran, you were saying about how I could hit the broad side of a what's it, and I stand up on the table and pull up my bow and aim it. The bartender's like, hub, up, up, up, up. But the crowd is too loud. They're like still clapping at the end of Doran's story, and I pull an arrow and draw it back.

What do you mean what happened last time? I wouldn't do it this time. I've only had four, five drinks this time. Smash cut to the four of us all getting thrown out of the bar. Yeah. Well, I would have hit it if the Apple stayed still. Tell him I'm sorry and that if he ever gets his sight back, then he can come look me up.

My name is Jack Page. And stay out. Now, Oren, I must say, if you're going to stay with us, it's not entirely up to me. You'll have to clear it with Red here and Crayla. You can't stay with us. And Jack, when he comes back, too. You see, we can't be responsible for your safety. Pst, Dorin, Jack loves people that sound like Roarin.

He'll love Orin. You can look after your own rations, though, right? I mean, we've only got so much money and food to go around. Oh, of course. I'm not sure if you had your share of grog there and be in the barrel. Why, do you have more? He opens the side of his waistcoat and he pulls out of flask and he shakes it at the three of you. My best friend.

I think that's an automatic inn. He's part of the team. Team super giant killers. I'll come up with a really wonderful name. Yeah, that's his job, I guess. Can you make it rhyme with Doran? Do you think Jack will approve? I think Jack will approve.

We'll find out. I wish Jack was here. Ah, well, we'll reunite with him. Oh, here he comes, walking down the hill right now. No, he's asleep. No, nope, nope. It's a different lanky wizard. He's looking fellow.

He does seem to go off on his own quite a bit. They all look the same in Waterdeep. He does. He does. I guess he's just a different type than you, me, and Doran. I mean, he likes his alone time, and that's all right. Plus, he's got his lover here, and there's nothing wrong with have a night with your lover.

Only I had a night with my lover. Doran, are you saying what I think you're saying? That's going to depend, Maxie. What are you saying? You wanted a night with your lover. What am I? You're not my type. But I love you. You said it before. I love you too. But I think he means lover in a different sense, Red.

Yes. Someone who keeps your bed warm at night, but not the way that we keep each other's bed rolls warm at night. It's like a, it's like a special, it's a special kind of, it's a special kind of. Doran, can you take over for me? You look like your struggle in there. Listen, when my ex-wife used to say to me, Oh, Doran, come to bed, I knew what that meant, and I would take off my armor.

I think what Doran means to say is that when a man loves a woman, or when a man loves a man, or when a woman loves a woman... Like, I didn't understand, Doran, if I'm not your type, then who is? Well, I won't admit this openly to... many but my ex-wife was a goblin and let me just tell you she was ferocious

are you saying your ex-wife was a goblin yes really just don't spread that around that's you don't speak goblin well that's what kept the relationship going how long were you together now let me think that was that battle and then

I'm going to say it must have been 15 years are you referring to your own interpersonal Or, like, historic battles? You were married to a goblin for 15 years. Yes. Where did you meet? How did you meet?

Well, we met on the battlefield, and it was shortly after a battle that she broke up with me, because, well, it turns out I killed a bunch of her family. Oh, my God. But she's still alive? Well, she is, yeah. Do you never try to reconnect? No. She tried to kill me, and I nearly killed her.

I'm sure that we could carve out time to... Nope. That chapter is closed. Dorian, I hate to think that you left things on... You see, Red. And that's an oar and jumps in. When the man loves a woman. You mean, when a dwarf loves a goblin?

I was sure it's going to be love is a battlefield. Oh, that's good. Love is a battlefield. Look, that's fair. I didn't mean to sidestep. I guess I just misunderstood. I meant love in the way that I love you guys. Not in the way that you love your ex-goblin wife.

I, perhaps we should put it like this. I want to mate. Oh. Red, I don't want to mate with you. Oh, well, I don't want to mate with anybody. No, I understand that. Okay. I guess I misunderstood.

Phyllis, and I, like, point up. And there's just, like, four, like, windows with window shutters. Yeah, we've been, like, standing in the center of the hot night. Yeah, night caps on, like, looking out, just like, there's one lady, just like. A dwarf woman is like, hello. Now he only likes goblins. As you head into the common room of the Copper Cup Vest Hall and find the appropriate staircase to your rooms, a tired-looking bartender waves. You there, Tobaxi.

Oh. A moment, if you please. Of course. I walk over. He hands something to you. What is it? I'm going to text you about it. This age of technology.

Red walks over and takes it. Oh, thank you. Good night, gentlemen. Good night. Good night. and I join Kralath and Doran. And Oren. Hello.

Right. Oh, right, Oren. Sometimes I forget you there. Say, does Oren have a room? I was hoping I'd stay with you. You can't stay with me. Why, thank you. Perfect.

What was that about? Oh, nothing. Just the bartender wanted me to, just a note. It's all good. What's the note say? It's just, um, well, it's something. I don't know. Did it have to do with that, uh, I like, stop and I wink at, at red.

Just like, okay. Orrin waggles his eyebrows at you. And red appreciatively nods. Thanks. Hey, put it this way. It's nothing worrisome. I just let's call it personal business. All right.

Well, I mean, on that note, I'm bushed. Yeah. I think it's time to hit the hay. Me too. Come on, Oren. We can share a bed. Good night, heroes. Doran goes into his room and you hear the loud thud of his axe going into the bed frame.

He like cuts in him. Always. He always puts his axe. I love that. Wherever he sleeps, it's just like all these notches where all the dwarves put their axes and like... It's two thuds. The first thud is the axe hitting the bed and the second thud is Doran hitting the bed.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So good. So did we just make a canon that your ex-wife was Goblin? Yes. That's awesome. I love that. Wow. So, everyone sleeps soundly.

Red gets up before dawn's first light. Like very purposefully makes sure that he gets up, hopefully not disturbing Oren. and I slip downstairs. We have slept together for weeks now. I'm well aware of when everybody else gets up. So I make sure that it's before anyone else does. I head downstairs and I slip out to the alleyway. And I find an early morning cart on the street that's like loading fishheads or something.

And I'm just like, excuse me, do you know Liddette's barrels? Oh, yes. Just down that way toward the wharf. Thank you. And I head down that direction. Liddette's barrels is a freshly scrubbed hole in the wall type shop, and it seems like it's closed. There's movement behind the glass inside, though. And as you approach, a halfling woman opens the front door to you.

Hello. She peers intently at your face. Are you red? That's me. This is for you. Oh. Read the note, mind you. Right.

She hands you a medium-sized parcel, nods. So red takes the package. There's a note that was handed to you. along with the package. Oh, yeah. So I read that and, oh, and I sort of look to the woman and I say, thank you. Tell him that I'm happy and I appreciate being trusted this way. Yeah, we'll do.

Thank you. She closes the door and goes back to the bar. Just as first light breaks. I'm going to head back up to my room. Probably just as Oren's waking and I'm going to slip it into the bag of holding. Great. Nothing sneaky. Hey, guys.

I'm sneaky. No, I mean, Jack's plans to get up early, do his paris to letharthander, try and get up early enough to make Tor and a cup of tea sort of before he wakes up. So there's a little bit of like service in bed for someone who serves everyone else the rest of their life. Nice. That's really nice. He's obviously super appreciative.

And you guys spend, you know, the last half hour together of the morning. And then he sort of regretfully gets his things together to start his day at work. It's a day like any other day. him. I won't leave town without saying goodbye. Okay. Doran wakes and braids his beard after a quick facial wash in the water pan in the bedroom. You've washed your beard twice now in like two days. I didn't wash my beard. I just a quick face wash. He's in the city. And then I braided my beard. You like cover your beard so you don't wash it. And then you know Doran's leaving his room when you hear the of the axe coming off the bed.

Bedhead. And then you see red and or in the hallway. Morning, Dynne. Oh, good morning. How did you all sleep? Pretty good. Like a little kiddie. I had dreams of killing giants.

What say you we get this road on the show? Where are we going next? Well, I don't know. I think we're going to have a little bit of breakfast now that we're back with Jack. Make sure he's okay with you joining the party. And then, I don't know, hit the high road. Isn't this where Torin works? Jack's staying here.

Yeah, Torin. Wait till you meet Orin. Orrin. Orin will meet Torin in due time. Let's head downstairs and wait for Jack. So, Kralath is already downstairs. Oh, wonderful. He's ordered himself some pheasant eggs, ferrunez. I ordered three breakfast. What do you guys want? I'll have one, two, I suppose. One for me, please. Yeah, give me what they're having, I guess. So I think Jack comes down the stairs, kisses Torin, who goes back into the kitchen and comes to join you. Ah, good morning, Jack. Good morning, Jack. We have a new friend. Morning.

Pleasure to meet you, Master Jack. Didn't we run into each other in Goldenfields? We did. Oh, I'm so pleased that you remember me. My name's Orin Yoglely, and hopefully I'll be following you along on your quest. Oh, wow. This is the thing about it, Jack, is we don't really have anyone except for yourself who's keeping your journal, as you always do. But you see, someone like Orin will happily sing.

the legends of us from this point on, so why not? Also, we figured with the rhyming scheme of his name, you'd love him. I love his songs, the ones I've heard, fabulous. Oren, they're great, the Goldenfields, it's a classic, and the other one, what's the other one you do? Oh, I, I'll tip my tongue. It's the water runs deep in water deep. He blushes attractively, like, oh, well, thank you.

I hope that I can do you all proud. In principle, I don't think I have any, once we figure out where we're going, if that's a place you also want to go, I don't. Ooh, yeah. I think I principally have any problems with that. He takes one of your hands in his, and he says, I promise he, I'll be no trouble at all. Stay out of your way, except if you desire quiet at campfire times, because that's not really my thing. And then he breaks in his song. And their party of four became a party of five

And they let me join their party alive We've sent I'll work on that one Very good, Oren, I love it He rhymed live with five I heard that That was real good No Jack raises a good point

Can I get another Another plate of Right away Jack raises a good point So what exactly are we doing next? And everyone pulls up a chair to the table. Well, I guess, obviously, we have Naxine's lead about the good dragons. And Chasloth, Yagah Horner, whatever his name was.

He mentioned the old Knobones. I really enjoyed Naxine, so I wanted to take her real seriously. And she led us to Chaz. And an expert on dragons, he certainly lives closer to one than I could have ever imagined. But in my mind, and this admittedly is the art. archaeologist and me talking a couple of days ago, just outside of town, we walked by a fire giant excavating something and it had been a rough day. We weren't really ready to explore that space, but I'm dying to know what he was trying to dig up. I tend to agree. A fire giant

digging through this close to water deep, that's very strange. I doubt that there's anybody in town who's seen a fire giant in decades. Well, I agree. I think that's a great first step. Now that we're in the city, it might be worth it to stop in a guard and say, hey, have you heard of any other Giant attacks lately, just finding out what's going on in the region. That's not a bad idea, yeah. That's not a bad idea. Especially considering the guards post is near the entrance and exit. That's right, that's right.

Right on the way. I do think we should head to Old Norbone, and I understand Doran how I recognize it. Here's my feelings, and Jack articulated them fairly well. Naxine did say that we should speak to this dragon expert. The dragon expert says speak to Old Norbone. Ultimately, I do think we're on the same page. that information at this point is the most important, understanding why the giants are here,

or perhaps even getting to know where they're attacking from or next, the dragon who has information might be useful. You know, although I am apprehensive about approaching and speaking with the dragon, there is something very wise that I've often said, and that is there is no dangerous situation, as long as you understand the situation that you're putting yourself in. And at that, I pull out the vial of green, poison resistance. And I hold it to Jack and say, how long would something like this last?

You could roll Arcana on that if you would do. I'd love to roll Arcana. 26. Jack, you know that upon drinking this potion, you gain resistance to all poison damage for one hour, which means you take half of the damage that you receive. It's not going to make you immune to poison. It's just going to lessen the effects. You're not becoming invincible. Don't go don't go drinking rat poison and rotten food like... Fine. This is like giving us an edge

to get the hell out of Dodge. Right. Chaz gave me a really weird vibe. That guy... Oh, yeah. Right? Oh, definitely. I totally agree.

He's a manipulator. Trusting Maxine, not to lead us wrong, taking us to an expert, if the right approach to get help from a dragon is this one who has scrying orbs and Kalagila Matar can tell the future or the present or something with them,

We've got to be real thoughtful about what sort of gifts we're ready to give this dragon in return for this knowledge and what questions we want to ask. I mean, we don't have to know the questions now, but we should be thinking about it if we're heading in that direction. I agree. And ultimately, if Doran, if you're too uncomfortable with going in, remember that you don't have to. I'd be happy to speak with her along with Jack if we obviously discussed the questions beforehand. I'm not willing to fly off my tail on this one. I will die before I show cowardice before you three. Smash cut to Doran being frozen on the back of the, like, eagle and the like cut out of him when he ran out of the house from the dragons.

I will die before I show cowardice. And like it's just like a cut up all the times. He's been like super scared. I love Doran so much. It's the early morning still. He hasn't had his breakfast beer. Give him a chance to get warmed up for the day. He hasn't had his third breakfast area.

Sorry, you're right. Okay, so basically tell a guard on the way out of Waterdeep about the Giants, head to the fire giant pit, then to Old Norbone, and then I would love to try to work our way up to Shadow Top Cathedral. This is Liferous's suggestion? This is where Lifoulis says that an old druid who fought Giants would, and I almost promised that he would have perhaps some weapons or armor, something that would help us protect ourselves or attack.

To be fair, Lifalus said his creator went there 30 years ago, and it would be the first, great first step to meeting them. But there is Turlag, this fabulous trient lives up there. Is there any chance I know anything about Turlag? Probably not specifically Turlag, but you could roll a nature check on trients. Let's do it. 23. You would know that they tend to be guardians?

Yeah, so, I mean, this Turlag is, if they're the guardian of the high forest or shadow top cathedral, that's a lot of territory to cover. They're probably very old. They've probably seen a lot. Whether or not the chance of finding this druid who went there 30 years ago, Liferlis probably has a different perspective than us time-wise. At least Tirlag should know something. Maybe they've just got a different take on giants.

Completely if we get to meet another Liphilis, I'd love that. He was well on my favorite people. Rather than tying to a random guard, when I wrote to Torin, they'd gone and brought that letter to... Captain Sidiari Hanlar, who took your map and assured you that the new open lord would search. We might want to try and talk to the captain. They'd already sort of been in touch with at least the letter I wrote that they sent somebody to Nightstone. You know, maybe they'd be

a sympathetic ear to update them on what we know since Nightstone last week and pitch it as us telling them, hey, here's the new developments. Yeah, I like that idea. I like that idea. Sure. I also agree. But most importantly, Jack, what do you think about Oren? Is he in? He strums his middle and eh? Yeah, I mean, like I said, before. If those are places you want to go and things you want to do, Oren, um, I'm, I'm not going to stand in your way. You're in, buddy! He flashes a brilliant white smile at the four of you. I can't wait to tell the tales of your bravery.

Hey, hey, welcome to the tea. Oh, oh, oh, oh. Make room. Make room, guys. My next plate is here. I think after breakfast, we head out and follow up on Jack's lead. The person that we're going to, uh, ask about what's going on with giant attacks. and all that kind of stuff. As we're walking there, I want to hang back a little bit with Jack and kind of tug on your wizard robes for a second and say, hey, did everything work out? Was you in Torrin? Jack kind of makes a shrug relationship or work, right? And I like stop walking, and I try to get Jack to stop as well, too, and I make eye contact with Jack, and I say, look, I'm sorry. I think you and I have gotten off on the wrong foot a few

times, and I'm sorry if I misspoke anything like that. Obviously, I said something I shouldn't, But I want you to know, Jack, that you are a good friend to me. What do you think you said that you shouldn't have? Well, I said something to Taurin, and he was upset, and then I came outside, remember? Yeah, you aced that insight on him. I was able to read that I said something wrong to Toren, and then I asked you it was wrong. Because he was really icy toward you. Jack thinks he knows what you said.

What do you think you said that was wrong? I guess I just put my foot in my mouth in some way. I often get a bit nosy, and I ask too many questions about people. I recognize this the first time I met Kraylath. I was jumping on tables and making a fool of myself. I pulled out my bow last night in the bar. But anyway, I must have said something, and I don't know what. And I'm, I just want you to know that I'm, I consider you a good friend as well.

Thank you. Let's catch up. Red is so happy. He feels like a weight has been lifted. Oh, Red. He skips. So you guys head up to the Castle Ward. It's just north of the dock ward, right in the center of the city.

there's a peaked mountain between it and the sea directly, but you can still hear the sounds of the harbor. The livery that you spotted on the guards who were atop the wall at Nightstone, who welcomed you back to the city in the rain when you brought the prisoners out of the caves, that livery is represented on the guards here. So you all recognize it now.

These are guards of water deep. You come to this large building. It has crenellated. battlements. And yeah, you attain an audience with the captain. So you have to wait a little while. As we're waiting, we're like sitting in this room where there's like tons of weapons on the walls and I just leaned a door and I'm like, are any of these yours?

No. No, no. Are they just decorations? These are decorative. Or if they're not decorative, they're of very low quality. Red stands up and pulls like a sword off the wall. swings it and it falls apart like just the blade falls out of the hill like puts it back together and puts it back on the wall that was an antique just as the door opens we all just like sitting down

sitting along one backless bench yeah waiting for the principal but not there's a potted fern on either side you know this is not what i thought this building would look like walked by it all the time i've never thought to go i've never had to go in and i did not expect this sederey handler welcomes you into her quarters and she says yes, hello, what can I do for you? Well, first of all, thank you for taking the time to meet with us, Captain Handler.

We appreciate this audience. We were in Nightstone a few days ago. Your guards came to relieve the town. Lieutenant Brent Ardip, so I'm Jack Page. I wrote that letter that Torin had delivered. Pleasure to meet you. It's a delight to meet you.

And we were in the letter. It was handled expertly, and we appreciate your help. Doren kind of put it. pushes his way through the taller people in front of him. And I'm Doran Iron Fist. And I must say, I'm very impressed with the way that you handled those or the goblin, whatever, whatever. I can't even remember what sort of enemies faced us.

Now, we fought the orcs. They just took out the Zentarum that were in there. Now, that's right. The Zentorum. All right. It's been a flash, and I've had six beers. How can I help you, gentlemen? It's been 10 days since we had the encounters in nightstand.

and we wanted to update you, first of all, on the things that have happened since. And I imagine us, like, we give her the update. Yeah, I think Jack Minor Illusions a map and shows, like, Oathgard Barbarians moving here and where we saw the 20 orcs going to the woods from outside of Nightstone, and where we saw the giants and ogres

and the goblin chuckers go off. And all of those, like, loose ends that we haven't been able to follow up on that are, like, in the sphere of water deep, just sort of put them as arrows on this map and sort of give a sense of direction to her. We wanted to provide this information. I love this scene of the war room.

So Captain Sidiary and the five of us, there's Oren, Doren, Doren, Jack Kraloff, and Red. Yeah, so Jack pointed out everything that we're going to be, that we did. And we're going to be leaving Waterdeep soon, quite possibly today. And we just wanted to know whether or not you've heard anything, any updates. Have there been any more attacks? Like Jack said, we just got back from Goldenfields, if there was a big giant attack there. we imagine it's not the only place. I appreciate your intelligence.

Thank you so much for coming to meet me today. It was more of wisdom from my end, I think. I'm not at liberty to divulge the specifics of giant attacks throughout the region. However, I can say that there has been a marked increase of hill giant attacks throughout the Desertin Valley. Jack, where is that on the map? I highlight it sort of showing the edge of where I think it is the Desertin River that goes through here and here. It's really where we're going to have to walk through to get to...

It's worth noting, then, that we've spotted a fire giant in the desert and valley as well. Worth noting, indeed. Yes. Thank you. As well as Uthgard Barbarian Wolf tribe members hunting in a forest outside of Amphail, awfully far south from where one would expect to encounter them. Certainly unnoted. And we saw a really pretty river. Okay. Just we're hoping to put a face to a name.

Again, appreciate everything you did for Nightstone, provide you any information we had. And if there was any way you thought we could be working together to help humanity fight the giants, we're willing to put it out there. I see your fine tressum. Can I presume she is your familiar? Uh, yes. Well, I would appreciate any future reports come directly here and not through the hands of any civilians. I'm sure we can arrange something.

She nods curtly. Just out of curiosity, so civilians, you don't want them knowing about the threats? No, there is a faction of people in Waterdeep who would use the information of giant attacks to their own advantage, as you have. have seen in Nightstone. Oh, that's right. That's why the Zentan got there. They took it over because the giants were there. I would have the information about relevant giant settings come directly here for that reason. Can I ask, to what end are these folks that are interested in the giants? Why do they want to know about them? Is it really just to pick up the scavengers?

Is that it? Or are they looking for something more sinister? There's trouble brewing. That's all I'm at liberty to say. Can I roll an insight on the guard? Yeah, you certainly can. That's a good call. D and D. She's overworked. You can see some dark circles under her eyes. Her eyes are a little bit bloodshot, but she seems very determined to prove her worth here.

Doren kind of pipes back up and says, Captain Handler, with all due respect, we've come from Nightstone to Goldenfields through Amphail and now back down to Waterdeep. We've seen these giants. We've fought and killed a few so far. Please, entrust us with helping you with this issue. Doran, roll persuasion.

16. She leans on the table on which the map is projected. She puts her hands through the projection on steepled fingers and leans forward, looking at each of you in turn. Frankly, gentlemen, I suspect that there is a hive, a center point. some place where these hill giants are coming from. And I think that it's within the desert and valley. Hive.

Is that... Frankly, I don't know shit about giants. This is just your own wording. This is what I think. They would have a fortress. Yeah, they might have a fortress. They might be... Or tunnels.

Do they have a queen? I don't know. I don't know why. I know a lot. They're my greater favorite enemy. I actually have advantage on information. Why don't you fill us in a little bit? Why don't you tell us a little bit about giants?

Please. Can I roll on a hill giants? I have advantage. on intelligence checks to recall information about that. Okay, so here's what we'll do, and you'll only be able to roll this once. You can't just keep rolling and re-rolling for knowledge about giants. One per giant, class? Sure.

Let's find out right now, in a broad sense, how much Red knows about Hill Giants. Sure. I feel like, and I feel like the way that Red understands these things is almost like a, he notices like dirt on the shoulder of the Hill Giant because he's fought one now. That's another ruling I like to make. You have to have fought them first. That's totally fair. So if you want to roll for knowledge about Frost Giants, you're going to have to see them first.

So this is based on the fact that Red has fought one, he's sort of using the animal training in him as a ranger when he was on his belly hunting creatures in the woods of his home continent. You know, you get so used to understanding creatures, especially ones that you've never seen before, where they might tunnel, how they might live, whether there are a tree creature or a land creature. And this is purely an instinctual reading of the creature he's just fought. So I'm going to rule with advantage on. That's really interesting. Do it. So it's going to be 14. So red pipes up and thinks back to fighting that hill giant.

The bit of dirt on its shoulder, the way it lumberingly swung, the color of the mud on its feet, knowing the land so well. Even though this isn't his birth continent, understanding the dirt under its nails, is learning how the creature moves and how it exists in this world. And then Red steps forward and says, well, I mean, hill giants, they live to eat. When we saw them around Golden Fields, they were stuffing sheep into their bag like it was nothing. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised that the whole reason they attacked Golden Fields is purely because they wanted to be gluttonous about it. They really just wanted to gorge.

Beyond that, they're quite stinky. any big collection of hill giants is going to smell. It's worth traveling through the DeSan Valley. If we get any whiffs on the wind, I always promise you that some hill giants are going to be near. It's not much, but that's all I can tell you. And Red, like, puffs his chest out a little bit, trying to see if Kralath and Duran and Jack are looking at him.

I mean, Jack, tracking them by smell and that a large concentration of them would smell a lot and could, like, that's a novel insight Jack would have never thought of. And there's a moment of him like appreciatively looking at that and thinking about wind direction and how far it might carry and how much it would have to smell for a person to pick it up versus versus like his familiar to smell it versus, you know. It's very likely that with anything smelly,

well, it actually could be both ways. Any animal or anything that can smell, anything that is really smelly, either has no sense of smell at all. or an extremely fine, acute sense of smell to things which do not smell like themselves. Does that make sense? No.

What? No, but I like this thought. Circulation. And then smelly things. Can't smell. Okay, let me rephrase. Let me back it up. I think I can see where you're going.

I can't. And I love it. The fact that the hill giant smell so terrible means that we either don't have to worry about approaching at all because they probably can't smell us or the exact opposite where they're so used to their own smell that if we approach, they might and realize that they're strangers. I mean, if only someone really knew goblins or something, there's always goblins and hobgoblins and bug bears and all these things around giants. I wonder if there's anybody who really knew them

intimately that they could, what a goblin senses smells like? I have never... Now that Doran's sober, is he like just embarrassed and like pretend it never happened, or are you... Great question. In fact, he's like, they probably have okay smell. I love the idea that he forgets, that he told us. Oh, no, that's great.

And that you and I are like, we share a look. All right. I did get a really good look at those giant's feet when they died while Crailth and I were looting. So I think I'd have a pretty good advantage on tracking them as well. So if we do get any whiffs, I should be able to tell where they're heading. Well, thank you so much, and we will keep in touch if anything should happen. Thank you. think for us we should hit the road. I agree. Oh, absolutely. So you guys are finished up with Captain

Hanlar? Yes. And you need to go back to the Copper Cup Fast Hall to collect your horses and say goodbye, I believe? Yes. Kralath, as you're traveling through the streets of Castle Ward with your companions, you start to feel dizzy. Beads of sweat gather on your forehead and roll between your shoulder blades. The edges of your vision get a little fuzzy. And that's when you see it. There's an apothecary about 45 feet ahead of you, to your right, with some displays out front for dried herbs. Standing in front of the shop, there's a figure outfitted in armor that is bespoiled with grave dirt. His left arm is raised toward you, pleading. His right hand rests on the pommel of his sheathed longsword.

His face is reeled in shadow. He's saying something to you, but you can't hear it. Two thin pinpoints of green light shine from within his eye sockets. His mouth moves noiselessly. His empty words press up against your eardrums, ringing hollow. He's all you can see. And then he vanishes. And you are left standing in a cold sweat in the middle of the Waterdavian Street in the weak morning sunlight.

You okay there, Gailaith? Jack. Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. It just goes to the past, I guess, and a little... I'm good. I'm fine. I'm fine. That apothecary is pretty interesting over there. I'm hungry. You hungry? I mean, we just had breakfast. Do you want to go check out that apothecary? Yeah. Let's take a walk over.

Yeah. Red and Doran, like, mid-conversations sort of come upon the scene. And I wouldn't like, what's, what's going on? Just going to take a step inside this apothecary. Was the pheasant off? Oh, God. Did I feel warm? And I grabbed Dorn's hand and put it towards my forehead. With a shaking hand, Kralath opens the door to the apothecary and steps inside.

A bell rings as you enter. There are a couple of other shoppers inside perusing the wares. A lot of standard spell components, ingredients that you might use for making potions. And everything looks very mundane

and normal. It stands out in stark contrast to the vision you just had. Everything is crisp. No one is looking at you. kind of my eyes glazed over, I say, Why am I here? Can I do some sort of... What the fuck happened to me, check?

Yeah, yeah. What would it be? It would be a wisdom role, I think. Just straight up wisdom? Yeah. 11. You're not terribly sure. It was very frightening when it happened to you, but it's passing now.

What's the name of this shop? Nemo's herbs. Actually, you know what I think I would do? I'm going to cast one of my... My cleric abilities. Cool. It's called Eyes of the Grave. A minute after you begin, you're casting.

You do not detect the presence of any undead within a mile, however. You recognize a trace, something that was here that is no longer. It feels familiar to you. You're thrown back in your memory to the time that you spent with the members of the Eternal Order. This feels like it may have been a revenant. I feel like Red would put a hand on you as you're, like, walking through the aisles, just to sort of bring you back to the present, kind of turns you around. Buddy, what's wrong?

There's, there's something here. There's something here. I can sense it. It's, it's evil. It needs to be destroyed. In the apothecary? What did you do? And he looks at the apothecary guy, and he's like, you, old man.

Did you do something to my friend? What? No. Did he say something to you, Krayloff? It's not here anymore, but I swear, I swear, it's been here. There's something, there's something evil in this shop. Okay.

There's something evil here. If you're going to cause a scene. Now you stay out of it. It's all right, Kralath. Look, it's okay. There's nothing here. Why don't, why don't we just head outside and get some fresh air and relax for a moment? I don't see anything here.

It's okay. And Kralath, um, it looks down and, and he's got his mace out. He's clutching his mace and his hand is shaking and he's holding his holy symbol in front of his chest but the voice of red slowly starts to bring him around red like brushes your hand around your pendant and he like goes to try to take it off softly it's okay come on bud he holds your hand in just a comforting way and he tries to lead you towards the exit and as you're walking towards the exit dorin's staying there with his axe out and he's ready fully ready to fuck shit up battle.

I think Jack's being quiet, though, not really knowing the best way to support, trying to get a sense of what's going on. Do you come outside with me? Yeah. Yeah. I follow you out. I think I bring you right to the shorefront. I picture we're on a boardwalk of sorts for some reason.

Yeah, sure. And I kind of walk towards the water. I'm like, look, look at the sparkling blue of the day. It's all right. And I kind of move my hands to your shoulders and instinctually just start rubbing your neck a little bit, easing you out of the moment. You're like grounding him in reality. Yeah.

Maybe before I leave the shop, I might just turn to whoever's operating it and say, did anything, is anything weird happened here recently other than, than... Just this, basically. All right. I mean, the cleric of Kellamvor had a whole moment outside, and I hate to talk about omens and things. I just... I'm not responsible for the moments clerics have. I get it.

I appreciate it. I feel like Red is recalling information. He's like, I remember the road to Nightstone. And this is where Red's heart comes through. You know, he's really quick to pick. that up. Slowly, gradually as Red talks, as he recalls, Kralok's, shoulders,

um, the tension starts to relax out of them. And he resheathes his, his mace, but he continues to stare out over the water almost distantly, like he's not focusing on anything. And without making eye contact, he says,

Red, there are things in this world that are far worse than giants or dragons there are ways that you can be that are far worse than death tell me about the rabbit jerky again

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