((Moving the thread along))
Note:
Essendrum is allowed to cast his spell over the stone.

The party gathers inside the tower. Inside is a small chamber, 15 ft. x 15 ft. with a door along the west wall and one along the north wall.
In the middle of the room is a small desk with a chair behind it and one in front of it. The chair in front is made of wood and seems to be low to the ground. The chair behind appears to be cushioned and sits higher than the desk. 
Dara takes a seat in the cushioned chair as the party gathers in the room. A guard stands to the right of Dara, a middle-aged man with brown and white hair and beard.
Dara reaches into a box and counts out 10 gold into 5 stacks.
'For your service to Triboar." Dara says as she counts out the gold. 
Dara pauses.
"You've seen the responses from the townsfolk on the commands I gave the guards?" she asks, rhetorically. "Well it was needed but, I need more answers about this attack. More than a day's travel can give me."
Dara reaches into her vest and pulls out a pendant. It is silver and depicts a crescent moon with a harp in the middle of it. 
Each of you have heard rumors. A group of people working behind the scenes for what they claim as an agenda for doing good, use this symbol. The Harpers.
"I have a mission for your group if you would be inclined to take it." 
Dara says this as she leans forward, her elbows on the desk and her hands clasped together before her face. 

Essendrum sighs.  “Mission” does not sound like relaxing in a lord’s library examining rare manuscripts.  For that matter, the Harpers are famous skinflints.  He isn’t sure whether each pile contains ten gold coins or two, as his old eyes fail him now and again, but he’s certain the whole pile wouldn’t buy enough ink to scribe a spell.

But these young heroes will need a bit of guidance. Bjorn can advise them certainly, but even he has the enthusiasm of youth that old age might temper from time to time.  And then there is the matter of this stone and a giant sorcerer who spoke Draconic before he sacrificed his life.  Such serious matters should not be left unexplained.

”I have important matters to the south, your ladyship, but this stone troubles me.  I will accompany your heroes on their mission and provide some little counsel.”

Spike:

"It's a job," says Spike, shrugging his shoulders, "and it's likely to help people, if the reputation of the Harpers holds water."

"I'm in."

After helping out Bjorn moves to the body and awaits Essendrum.

"Well I am irked that one of my favored rest stops was burnt and trampled on. So yeah I will take the job as I have a feeling that leaving this issue alone will come back to bite us in the butt." says Kiza

"Flashback"
After the battle, Bjorn prepares his spell as Essendrum stands by, being the only one who can understand the Giant's responses. 
As Bjorn casts his spell the skies above turn much darker. Coupled with the smoke of the burning buildings and the yells and screams of the locals, it sets an eerie, unworldly tone around Bjorn and Essendrum.
Bjorn's voice hits a rhythmic pitch as he calls out to the spirit of the dead Giant.
"I call upon the spirit of the recently dead to heed my commands and come forth." Bjorn chants over and over again as he grips his holy symbol.
The Giant's burnt corpse stirs, first a leg moves, then an arm, and then the giant sits up and stares at Bjorn and Essendrum through hollow eye sockets.
It turns its undead gaze towards Essendrum.
"Why do you disturb my journey to Valhalla liar?" he says to Essendrum. 
Bjorn presents his holy symbol and the Gaint is compelled to look at the elf.
Bjorn asks his first question.
The Giant tilts his head to the left while staring at the cleric.
"It brings great power to my king and all Giants." is his reply.
Bjorn asks his second question.
"I know not, I am dead." is his reply.
Bjorn asks his 3rd question. The corpse tilts his head. He seems confused. 
"I know not for I am dead elf." is his reply.
Bjorn asks his 4th question.
"You and your kind will find out soon enough." is the corpse's reply. 
Bjorn asks his 5th question.
The giant tilts his head again. 
The burnt flesh stretches across the Giant's face. Missing flesh around the mouth reveals more teeth than humans or elves possess.
"The wizard needs to teach you better elf." it says.
With that, the corpse collapses. The unnatural overcast is lifted. But, everyone present thinks they hear fading evil laughter echoing on the wind. 

Spike, Kiza, and Essendrum speak up to Dara's request and she nods. 
It appears she believes that they speak for the party and she is happy with that. 
"I haven't heard from any of the Harper's on the matter of giants on the move and this concerns me." 
Dara pauses for a moment then speaks. 
"Take the Evermoor Way and go to Everlund. It should be a two-day journey if you make haste. There is a bar there called Danivarr's House. Give this to the proprietor." 
She indicates the badge she has shown the party. 
"He is a one-eyed half-orc named Dral Thelev and tell him all that has happened here. This attack was a surprise so that tells me the Harper's didn't know about it and need to be warned." 

She pauses for a moment to let it sink in and for reactions, if there are any. 

Spike:

”Seems reasonable,” says Spike, “I’m up for a road trip.”

Enoch nods as Dara finishes her explanation.

"I've already told you I'm here to help," he said. Looking at the others, he swallowed his uncertainty and turned back to the lady, finishing, "We'll take care of this for your people."

Kiza will take the Harper badge and the coins. I assume its 10gp for each of us. "Well everybody lets get going" says Kiza as she leaves the tower and heads towards Everlund.

"My thanks," Dara replies. "And be careful. I am sure that the Giants have not left the region, though my scouts haven't seen where they have gone."
With that, the Lord of Triboar turns and discusses other business with the guards. She has not said anything but, it appears you are dismissed. 
(Assuming the party steps outside of the tower)
You step out from the tower. You survey your surroundings. The townsfolk appear to be busy with repairs and some fortifications.
The hole the Giant had dug up is being filled in by several men.

((What are the next moves of the party? Setting straight out or does anyone need to do any shopping?))

(Kiza is ready to head out, but is willing to wait if someone needs to shop)

I’d like to spend my 10 gold pieces on some food and drink.  It’s a long walk.

"I'll just get my things," Enoch announces to the group, "and if anyone needs more time I'll be in the town square visiting the townsfolk, just let me know when you're ready."

(( Enoch retrieves his belongings; he's ready to go, including rations and such. He then goes to the town square to chat and help out any of the townsfolk he's come to know over the past few days--including leaving a coin or two for any orphans in the village. ))

Spike:

Having cleared his things out of the inn before the meeting, Spike pockets the 10 gold and says, “Aye, let’s grab some fresh grub for the journey and get going.”

He has plenty of trail rations, but he gets some fresher meat, cheese, and bread for the journey, then Spike is ready to go.

Bjorn sighs wearily, nodding at Dara's words.  "I'm definitely ready for a good rest before we head out in the morning."

The party readies themselves and takes the first few steps in their trek when the innkeeper from the inn where everyone has been residing, one Urgala Meltimer-a woman in her later years, balding with a few strands of hair flopping this way and that, as she comes running up to the party.
"I am glad I caught ya," she says in a breathy tone. Obviously, it has been some time since the woman ran anywhere. "I just came from Dara an' she told me ta come find ya."
Urgala pauses for a few long minutes to catch her breath before speaking again.
"I was speakin' ta Dara an' told her about somethin' that might help us out. A long time ago I did a bit of adventuring myself an' came across a knight who wielded, what he called, a magic battle axe. Thin' was he told everyone it was.."
Urgala pauses for a moment and moves closer to the party. She cups her mouth with her left hand and whispers:
"a battle axe of Giant Slayin'." 
Urgala steps back 1 step and continues.
"Now I ain't too sure if it's true or not but this knight, one Harthos Zymorven by name, has a keep just south of Silverymoon, called Zymorven Hall. If you were ta go there, it's on yer way from what I've been told, an' mention my name ta Harthos and tell him about our need here I am sure he will part with it ta help us fend off tha giants if they come back."

“Thank you, Goodwife Meltimer. I am sure Sir Enoch could put such a relic to good use.  As for myself, the opportunity to sleep in a keep rather than a ditch will make the stop well worth it.”

Enoch's eyes widened at the mention of the weapon, but he simply nodded as solemnly as he could to Essendrum's suggestion before turning back to the path. "Should be a pretty straightforward jaunt," he said for anyone unfamiliar with the region. "I can take first watch when we break for camp," he offered.

"Now that is a weapon we can use and its on the way. Lets head out" says Kiza. She then hits the road keeping an eye out for trouble.

Perception Check

21