Vigan, with a few slips and moments of suspense joins the rest of the group.

Harshnag looks up at the Immovable Rod and then at Rixton, as if hoping the magic item could simply be left where it is. The look on Rixton's face, however, makes it clear that he would very much like the thing retrieved. Harshnag says, "Very well then," under his breath and makes one more climb up the mountain wall. A minute later he hands the Immovable Rod to Rixton. 

The remainder of day two in the Spine of the World passes without incident, other than very low temperatures and moderate wind. 

The party continues farther and higher in the Spine on day three, and the only real challenge is staying warm.

The weather takes a nasty turn on the party's fourth day in the Spine. Significant amounts of snowfall coupled with high winds make visibility very low. The group's pace is slowed considerably, and Harshnag announces at the end of the day as everyone is setting up camp and preparing for a meal and rest, "I fear we've lost at least half a day, friends."

The weather on the fifth day in the mountains, strangely enough, is as good as the group can hope for. The snow stopped falling while they slept the previous night, and the wind has become little more than a breeze. Harshnag is optimistic that the time lost yesterday might be reclaimed today. The five adventurers and the frost giant push themselves and cover as much territory as they are able, taking advantage of the favorable weather conditions. 

"The Spine is no one's friend," remarks Harshnag on the morning of the sixth day. There is no snow falling, but the temperature has dropped again and the wind is howling, trying to tear anything alive off the face of the mountain. The trek is slow and miserably cold; even Harshnag seems a bit bothered by the wind. 

Not long after a short midday break and meal, the wind happens to bring an unusual noise to everyone's ears. Simply put, it sounds as if large objects are being smashed against each other. The wind makes it hard to know for certain, but it seems as if the source of the noise lies ahead, just out of view...

Map of Area 

• Contour lines to north of party (shades of grey) represent +20' in elevation per line
• Contour lines to south (shades of brown) represent -20' in elevation per line
• Blacked out area to the north represents terrain that the party cannot currently see

Carrow 

In unfamiliar territory the ranger looks to his surroundings and the floor they walk. He moves forward of the group carefully checking to see if anyone has come this way before them.

Survival: 19 

Advantage for Humans, Orcs, Elves and Giants

18 

Perception: 13 

Although rusty and slow Carrow attempts to talk in Giant

"Do you recognize that noise Harshnag?"

Rixton:

Huddling around poor Pendergast, who is coiled around my torso under my cold weather gear, I am too distracted by the wind and cold at first. The prospect to do something active spurs me on, though. I commit to scouting carefully ahead, dashing with great speed to the slope northeast of us. (Move + cunning action dash to J26. Rixton has a speed of 40 now with unarmored movement.)

Carrow scans the ground for clues that might help him to deduce who, or what, lies ahead. The snow is completely undisturbed; so, it seems likely that nothing has passed this way in the last day or so.

Harshnag, in response to Carrow's question, says, "I hear only wind now, ranger. I am uncertain. A falling rock perhaps."

 (DM assumes Carrow moved at normal speed and now stands at F30)

Rixton safely dashes forward and now stands against the face of the mountain. His new vantage point doesn't reveal any new information, however. 

After straining his ears for a few moments, Harshnag mutters aloud, "We've come far into the Spine. Would be odd to find anyone here."

The frost giant then strides forward, catching up with Rixton. He then motions for Rixton to join him as he continues even farther along the path. Upon reaching a small shoulder of rock, the two of them can peer into the formerly obscured area to the north and, subsequently, can see the source of the noise. Three stone giants are systematically swinging their greatclubs at an ancient ruin of some sort. Pieces of stone debris can be seen lying all around them on the ground, and the explosive sound of their clubs smashing against stone now reaches the ears of Harshnag and Rixton with great clarity. 

"More mindless destruction," whispers Harshnag, who then motions for the rest of the group to move forward. 

Updated map: (For the sake of streamlining things, I've advanced all members of the party toward the point where Harshnag stands)

Rixton:

"Well, Harshnag," I say. "This is your mission. Do you care to stop and teach these giants a lesson or should we keep going?"

"I do not know if they will allow us to pass. Any interaction I have with these giants places each of you in danger," remarks Harshnag.

Then, for the first time, the five adventurers see a smile flash across the frost giant's face. "To fight and kill three stones is a chance at glory. Yes. To defeat them by myself would be a greater thing than I have ever done..."

He then looks at the group of adventurers he has led to this point. "I cannot promise no harm will come to you. I can promise only that I will fight so long as I have breath. What do you say?"

As all members of the party mull over a possible confrontation with the stone giants, they are doubtful that their ranged weapons will be of much use. The wind continues to howl, and  the powerful gusts will likely direct arrows and bolts off target. 

(All ranged attacks, including those of the giants, will be done at disadvantage under the current circumstances)

OOC if Andor uses his Storm Guide feature to blow the wind straight at the giants, will that improve the situation?

Andor

"If we can get them within about 30'of each other I might be able to take one or two out of the fight for a minute, as long as we leave them alone." To Rixton he adds "Noble intentions I'm sure but even with the big guy, are you sure about this? Even Vigan won't be taking many hits from those brutes before he doesn't get back up?" he says the last part whilst offering a thumbs up to the goliath. 

Rixton:

I nod. Harshnag has earned our trust over the last week. "Count me in," I say. I draw my spear and twirl it deftly in my right hand.

To Andor, I say, "Not in the least bit sure, my friend. We will just have to not get hit."

Vigan

The goliath, feeling as the others must feel talking to him, strains his neck looking up at the giant, nodding at his talk of glory.

"While I too revel in battle against the odds, you have said yourself - "We will lose no one on this journey."  We would face this challenge alongside you."

Vigan readies a javelin, and looks to the others.

Rixton:

Initiative: 19

Andor initiative 12 

Harshnag nods. "It is decided then. I will grant them a chance to disperse before swinging my axe. Be ready, friends."

The frost giant strides into the open (to V21) and bellows in Giant, "Proud your fathers must be to look down from Ostoria and see you occupied so nobly! What purpose does this serve, brothers?"

The three stone giants, undoubtedly surprised by not only Harshnag's sudden appearance but his blunt rebuke, stand motionless for a few seconds. Harshnag continues. "Your silence speaks volumes, does it not? For you can find no purpose in your acts of destruction."

At last, one of the stone giants responds. "Ah, the legendary Harshnag is here..." he picks up a chunk of stone debris in his right hand, "...and he must now rely upon the aid of small folk it seems." Then, looking at his two stone giant companions, "Pathetic, eh?"

The other two stone giants, as if on cue, also pick up chunks of stone, to which Harshnag responds by saying, "So be it!"

(For the sake of simplicity, all players and Harshnag will act first--the average of all initiative rolls determines this--and the stone giants will act second. For your starting point on the map, you can assume your character was somewhere within 10' of Harshnag, to his left, right, or rear)

Carrow 

Looking between his companions and the Giants the Ranger decides this will be a tough fight. Stern faces set by the wind are all pointing north awaiting the new threat. Walking over to Andor he lays a hand on the bare skin of the casters wrists mumbling as he does so the words of the trees.

BarkSkin

His face now set in concentration he steps away from the caster, unslinging his bow Carrow begins to run his thumb and forefinger across the length of his bowstring. Muttering in Orcish under the harsh wind small thorns begin to appear and his fingers now drip with blood. 

Hail of Thorns

The blood now clotting and drying at his finger tips he waits expectantly, idly fiddling with his new jewelry.

Vigan

"Give them everything you've got!"  The goliath runs past Harshnag and launches 2 javelins towards the closest giant (#1), before moving forward to get closer for his next attack (V19).

Attack 1: 13

Damage 1: 7

Attack 2: 24

Damage 2: 7

 2 <- ignore this

Carrow casts a spell to increase the safety of the group's sorcerer; he then utters a brief conjuration to strengthen himself for the upcoming battle. 

Vigan hurls two javelins toward the ruins, the first of which shatters violently as it strikes a portion of the stone wall. The second javelin, however, slices through the wind and over the wall, catching the stone giant (1) in the arm. Harshnag lets out a deep, guttural roar and dashes directly into the heart of the storm (reaching b15) where he is eager to begin swinging his greataxe. 

(Andor, Ladrian, and Rixton may take their round 1 actions; the stone giants will follow; you can assume that your starting point is somewhere that is 10' to the right, left, or behind grid square V21)

Rixton:

I am storing my spear when Vigan and then Harshnag charge forward. I am a few steps behind Harshnag, pulling my short bow out as I run. I stop (at a17) and study the closest stone giant (#1; with insightful fighting). I smoothly nock an arrow (+1) and draw it, finding my target and loosing the arrow.

Short bow (+1) Attack: 16 Damage: 9 + 11 on a successful Insightful Fighting: 14

edit: I added bonus damage from the arrow but not the bonus to attack. It should be 17.

Rixton fires his first shot at the enemy, and he strikes the stone giant (1) moments after Vigan's javelin has done the same.

NOTE: Rixton attacked from range without disadvantage; so, it is assumed that Andor has indeed used his bonus action to utilize Storm Guide and, thereby, commands the wind to blow directly at stone giant #1

(Round 1 actions for Andor and Ladrian are next, to be followed by the stone giants)

(oops. I can roll another attack roll of needed.)

(I'm confident that Andor will indeed utilize Storm Guide; no need roll a second attack unless he opts to do otherwise)