A raised eyebrow of genuine compassion and concern for her is all that Serena gets from Sneeze as she details her predicament. When she is done he replies, "Ah, thank you young Serena. It is good of you to tell me. While I could hide you with illusions, it would seem best to try to avoid any - unpleasant situation. Oh, don't you fret now. I don't know a single adventurer of any acclaim who didn't run afoul of some potentate or magistrate or faction at some point in their career. It seems like you are quite well on your way!" Then rummaging in his pockets, he murmurs, "Now to see about how to deal with meeting our contact. Ah yes, I knew I had one of these." He pulls out an ornately folded piece of paper which is folder to resemble a swallow. He speaks a few words and suddenly the paper bird twitches and then flits its wings. After a few uncertain flutters, it rises from his palm and then soars off in the direction of Neverwinter. "I think we shall meet our contact outside of the city proper. How does that sound to you." He says with a reassuring wink.

"Sounds like an excellent solution Sneeze." Serena says gratefully, smiles and bows before joining Livia again.

 Tresvar is extremely careful about staying on the road the rest of the trip, and the incident also helps her focus on watching a bit more effectively…

perception:

13

Banjo diligently uses their provided book to record every detail he can recall about the encounter, as well as re-interviewing Tresvar to confirm he did not forget anything.

He is once again reminded of how sage the advice from ‘Ella’s journal turned out to be.  Seeking out a crew of fellow adventurers is clearly the only way to go about this business.  Perhaps, if ‘Ella had found a group like Volo’s instead of those scamps she traveled with….

The unpleasantness of the Mere behind them Banjo’s happy and care free attitude returns.  He makes note of any hilltop views, flowery meadows, or trout filled streams they pass as they close in on Neverwinter.  Perception: 8

Livia might claim it was more puck than anything else, but truth is she hit that acorn. Indeed, she learned so much during this short journey. So much she normally wouldn't have had the chance to learn. Even the experiences that weren't so pleasant - like sleeping on a moving wagon or not taking a bath in many days, nor changing clothes - even those didn't bother her. She was simply happy to experience new things.

Perception: 13.

The caravan continues its travel along the High Road, turning from the Sword Mountains and the Mere to a less oppressive scene of rolling hills and grasslands. Travel is easier. There are herds and flocks of animals to be seen, but not too much else. The verdant blanket is broken up occasionally by large rock formations jutting from the otherwise gentle landscape. These formations seem to be the vestiges of the areas ancient past and its proximity to the mountains. They are worn and grass and moss covered. 

On the third day of travel along this route, Serena first notices a grove of trees smashed as if knocked over by a monstrous boulder. The trees have fallen somewhat in the direction of the road. Following this line of sight she see no boulder, but the earth is definitely trampled. This path of crushed destruction leads right up to the road and seems to join it. Mentioning something to Livia, the two notice that the road being hard packed from the innumerable caravans that traverse it, has not suffered such scaring by whatever came that way. Never-the-less, they note that here and there a large circular indents in the road. One would think at first they are tracks but they look as if the butt of a staff made from the trunk of a tree had been stamped into the ground - and there are so many of them. What beast could make such tracks or what sort of creature would carry such a staff?

As the caravan rolls over hill and around curves, Livia, Serena and Tresvar note a bellowing and a thunderous crash. A large number of birds take flight all at once from a point maybe a mile ahead. The road is too hilly to make out what caused it. After that, it is the normal quiet of the grassland around them. Banjo notices nothing, being lost in his own musings.

Serena makes sure Banjo also sees all that she has noticed. "What do you all think it could have been coming crashing down and then taking a stroll up the road." She asks the others as she moves to investigate the crash site. "Certainly something worth recording, right Banjo?"
Investigation of crash site and tracks:21

"I´ll check it out." Serena says as she hears the bellowing ahead, making a fey gesture while touching her oak leaf amulet and then speeding off unnaturally fast, trying just to get a glimpse of what crashed down this time before returning to the others (Expeditious retreat) Perception:19

Tresvar looks out in the direction of the crash. “A Giant, perhaps?!”  She bravely starts walking ahead towards the crash sword and shield at the ready.

“Strange.  Perhaps… a giant herding equally enormous goats?” he ventures, before facepalming over how absurd that sounds.  Seeing the others departing, he falls in behind Tresvar, as Serena races away in front of them.  He also advises the rest of the wagons to wait while they check to make sure the road ahead is clear.

“Never heard of giant goats..but Giants and dragons are ancient enemies.  I hope I can make my ancestors proud this day…” says Tresvar, mostly to herself, as she shifts her grip on her drawn sword and looks eagerly towards where the noise was coming from. 

Serena rushes off in a burst of speed, followed by her companions at a normal pace. As Serena first comes over the hill and down the road after about half a mile the road straightens out. From there she sees what looks at first like the road narrowing and being blocked by two large boulders with a rope attached to each with a large toddler straddling each. Pausing and creeping nearer, she realizes this is an optical illusion caused by the forced perspective. The road does not narrow at all. Instead it is blocked by two large elephants, each being ridden by a hill giant as if the elephants were ponies. The elephants have gaudily colored saddle blankets over them and gilded reigns. These are clearly prized possessions of the riders. However, the are not really riding as the elephants are at a halt. To make things worse, the way around is blocked by very rough terrain and a copse of trees which looks like it has been recently fought in. Trees and branches lie strewn about on both sides of the road, likely the source of the crash she heard. The only way through for the wagons would be where the giants sit currently upon their mounts.

At this point, the companions catch up to Serena. Although a good ways away, the companions can overhear some of what the giants seem to be saying to each other:

"Go ahead, move"

"No! You move. I'll go no faster"

"Hmph, but you promised! Do you want another thrashing?"

"I did not. I don't know what you are talking about. Petunia may be fast, but not today. We win by losing!"

"Gah! If we were able to really race Donkey would beat you every time. You know it - rotten trick pap played on us"

"You dream. Donkey never beat Petunia"

"Be sure to record this Banjo." Serena says smiling as the others catches up. "Hill giants on elephants huh, well life as an adventurer sure is interesting." She adds with a smirk.
"They don´t seem too bright, perhaps we could talk our way through this?" She suggests to the others, clearly eager to approach the giants.

(This reminds me of an old story/riddle I know, and I have the feeling it is exactly what we're facing. Pretty cool, if I'm right.)

Livia looks confused more than anything else. She's also scared, very scared, but she resolves herself for solving this problem. She cannot cower in face of danger, or else her parents would have been right. She steps forward, her fear only making her determined to prove she has a worth in this group. "Excuse me, may we pass? After that, you can go back to ah... winning by losing?" That last part is what truly confuses her. How can one win by losing? Unfortunately, Livia's soft, quiet voice is not carried over the distance to the height of a giant on an elephant's back. Noticing the giants did not hear her, she turns back to the others for assistance. "Can someone repeat my words? It would seem my voice is not strong enough."

Tresvar says “I will talk to them”.  Seeing the Giants don’t seem aggressive at the moment, she sheathes her sword and steps forward, standing up tall with her shield prominently displayed: .  “Hello there!  My companions and I apologize for disturbing you,  but we have a caravan which needs to pass along this road.  May we pass,  then you can return to your race?”

17 persuasion if needed.  

Serena follows Tresvar close behind, being wary of the giants and their steeds, ready to enter the discussion when opportunity presents itself.

The giant riding the right-most elephant notices when Tresvar speaks. He turns his head slightly, still keeping an eye on his competitor, "Little dragon lady, no need to yell. No, I will not move unless he does." He gestures with his head toward his competitor.

The other giant says, "No! This race too important. I will not move!"

"I'll not move either. You not trick me!" says the first.

The giants and their mounts remain steadfast in their immobile 'race'.

Banjo is taking down all of this.  Giants!  Elephants!  What a morning!

Still, this impasse needs to be resolved.  Clearly the brutes have some peculiar rules which govern their contest.  "Ahem, pardon me.  Jebeddo Thunderdiggles, representative of Volo's Guild, at your service.  A pleasure to make your aquaintance.  My, what lovely pachyderms.  Beautiful specimens.  If you don't mind my asking, and since you don't seem to be heading anywhere in a hurry, would you be so kind as to explain the rules of this important race?  It sounds very exciting."  Persuasion 5

(Well, I'm convinced.)

"Please ask them, if it's a race, why neither of them is moving? I've never seen a race, but from what I read in various books, people usually try their hardest to get past their opponent. Am I wrong?" She stands there puzzled. "Is this a different kind of race?"

"Ohhhh - Owwwwowwwow", the giant to the left howls as if in pain. "It's not fair! You little ones are right. Petunia is such a racing elephant he would win a normal race any day."

"Hah! Vaxos, you wish! You know Donkey would win", the giant to the right says as he scratches the ear of his elephant, "But we can't let them run!""

"My brother, Grebos, is wrong about Donkey, but right about the race. We cannot let them run. Our dad was the leader of our clan. He knew that we loved to race our elephants and he made a cruel joke. Before he died he told the whole clan that we should race for the title of clan leader."

Grebos interrupts his brother, "But Pap was mean, he said whoever's elephant was slowest would be the winner and new leader. So I cannot let Donkey run as fast as he can, otherwise Vaxos wins!"

"I never lose," Vaxos bellows proudly, patting Petunia on the head under him, "but now Petunia must run slow so that I can win."

“I see.   And Where is the finish line of this race?  To lose- all you have to do is cross last, right? “Tresvar suppresses a smile.