Rixton:

I awaken with the headache of someone who has been pummeled by a giant, a pain I am intimately familiar with. A handful of empty wine glasses and tumblers surround my bed as clear evidence that I didn't stop at a single glass of wine last night. I don't remember much of anything beyond that first glass, which was really the intent of my evening after all. A desperate thirst drives me downstairs for water and a late, light breakfast. The intense morning light and boisterous company make my senses a little less attuned to details. A parade of grateful townsfolk visit us, each offering us rumors or jobs as thanks. It seems less thankful and more opportunistic to me. But the first one, Darathra, is right on the money. We are increasingly involved in this giant business. I accept her pin with a promise to take word to Everlund. Anything that leads to answers has my interest.

The bounty and the promise of magical items do not capture my interest. They are little more than a verbal thank you which, frankly, would be enough for me. Narth's offer of a job feels the most opportunistic. Since I'm heading to Everlund anyway, I half-heartedly agree that I might be able to help him, since Noanar's Hold is on the way.

Ghelryn's letter of recommendation seems like the closest thing to a genuine offer of gratitude, although I have no idea whether his letter would have any bearing in the court of King Morinn. I have doubts about ever ending up in Morinn's presence as well, so I let one of my fellow travelers accept the letter.

At the conclusion of breakfast, I sit for a time, letting my stomach settle. "Well, gentlemen," I say, "I'm committed to Everlund for my destination, but I'd welcome your company if you care to travel in the same direction."

Andor 

Taking the letter from Ghelryn Andor thanks him and shakes his hand warmly. "I saw you charge the orog and the axebeak, it pained me that I couldn't do more to help you and I was very glad to find out your wounds weren't mortal. If we find out way to Feldbarr I will deliver this to the king and queen with pride and I will tell them of your courage Ghelryn Foehammer. "

Turning to Rixton he adds" Any chance to make 5000 gold shouldn't be passed up, we could buy a lot more resources with that money, things that might give us a chance against firegiants and the like, I wouldn't rule out a side trip and Feldbarr might offer other opportunities or rewards but yes, Everlund must be the main goal."

Vigan

Towards the end of the conversation with Alaestra, the door to Everwyvern House opens and a large, hunchbacked creature shambles in, clutching a long, bladed staff.  It is only when the groaning creatures shuffles over to the group, and slumps into a nearby seat, that it becomes clear it is Vigan, who has presumably spent the night outside.

"One of the better nights I've had sleeping under the stars I think", he mumbles as he helps himself to fistfuls of luke-warm food off the nearest plates.  Spying a broken table in the corner of the room, hazy memories of the previous night come to the goliath.  Frowning, he addresses the others. "Any stories of my actions last night make it out of Triboar, I will wield that person as a shield against the next giant we encounter."

He listens to the various requests with his head in his hands, but jerks his head up at Darz's mention of 5000 gold pieces. "That seems a large amount for a simple brigand, is there more to this story, I wonder?"

Vigan listens to Othovir's offer outside, still frowning. "Sounds a lot like robbery, my friend.  Why would I steal from these Margasters?"

 "That is a great deal of money, Vigan," replies Darz. "I know nothing more, however."

Othovir is, at best, elusive in answering Vigan's question. "For reasons I cannot divulge, friend, my kin and I stand opposed to one another. They live in Silverymoon, which is quite a journey from here. And you are correct, it would be, purely and simply, a heist. No hiding that."

Rixton:

"Don't get me wrong," I say to Andor, "5000 gold would go a long way towards any goal we had. But I have trouble committing a week of travel out of our way because someone heard from someone else that a stable hand looked like a wanted brigand from a hand-drawn poster, perhaps drawn by a someone with a faulty memory or shaky hand."

Ladrian

He's a bit absent mind this morning, trying to collect his thoughts and letting the others do the talk. Upon hearing the proposals on the table he says "We don't have anything on hands right now, isn't that so? 5000 thousand gold is always enticing, magic items could be interesting and a court is always fun if you're up for some shenanigans with the nobility!"

Carrow

Carrow had spent most of the morning watching and listening, from his spot alone in the corner of the inn he tried to piece together the actions of yesterday and last night. The giants were not random in attack, a purpose drove them, apart from the mindless pillaging of the two they killed the other night, the other two attacks were premeditated. The thought of giants twisting other creatures to their will made the ranger uncomfortable, remembering the killing of his own savage kin the Half-Orc shuddered slightly his skin prickling as he thought of their deaths, he quickly grabbed his drink and downed its contents eager to forget the feeling. One by one as the ranger ate in solitude the others turned too in various states of disrepair, he him self had a sore head form the night before. He listened to Alaestra nodding acceptance from under his hood at the praise she bestowed upon the group, Carrow kept his face hidden and his body distant preferring to listen from his booth lest she recognize him.

The five villagers who stood beside them had some interesting job offers all of which he listened to with great intent, none of which sounded overly appealing least of all venturing to court.

"Ladrian my good man" Carrrow made a pointing gesture to his own face "This visage does not do well at court, nor among the nobility" Absently fingering his new trinket he pulled it from under his cloak and looked at it more closely "Does anybody know how i came by this?" 

investigation: 18

Carrow sets the little wooden cube on the table for everyone to see. Its edges and corners are dull and unevenly rounded, and the paint on all six sides is faded and, in some places, discolored. Is it a child's plaything? Is it some sort of gaming die? Whatever it is, it has been subjected to a considerable amount of wear and tear. Each of its six sides is a different color: black, white, blue, gray, green, and brown. The black and white sides are opposite each other; the blue side is opposite the gray; the green opposite the brown. 

Andor

"I've been waiting for a chance to try this out!" the sorcerer uses his new wand to cast detect magic on the coloured cube. "Let's see, shall we?" 

The cube exhibits a noticeable magic aura of necromancy.

Andor

Moving back from the cube, hand raised in warning as the other continues pointing at the item on the table Andor whispers to the rest of the group "Take care here, there is a necromantic energy surrounding this item - Carrow what in the hells were you up to last night?!" 

Andor looks over the cube trying to recall anything he might have heard or read about such items.

Arcana 12

Rixton:

I watch, bemused, while my companions wonder about this little trinket that ended up in Carrow's possession. Upon discovering it is magical, I noticeably straighten a little. A mystery! I join Andor and Carrow, examining the cube, first trying to recognize it.

Arcana: 17

"Let me ask around," I say. "The whole town cannot have forgotten last night."

Starting with the shopkeepers, then any possible gamblers, mages, and anyone else I encounter, I ask about the events of last night, particularly those who can remember interacting with Carrow.

Investigation: 11

Rixton has no familiarity with the magical cube, but within the hour he finds someone who has a story to tell about Carrow's trinket. Nemyth, the tiefling proprietor of the Triboar Arms, explains, "He found Pike's "death die" it would seem. Nice fellow Pike was, but had the strangest fear of that little block of wood. He'd sit in here, drinking for hours, telling anyone who'd listen that rolling the die might kill a man. If it landed on the right---or wrong--color that is. He hated the thing but loved it as well. He'd say he was going to throw it in the fire so no one would ever be tempted to use it, but he never would. At the end of the night, regardless of how drunk he was, he would inevitably pocket the cube and make sure he left with it."

Nemyth pauses for a moment as he pours a few glasses of ale for some customers.

"Haven't seen old Pike for nearly a month, however. He fades in and out of Triboar; so that isn't entirely unexpected." 

Vigan

Sitting back as the others examine the cube, the goliath shuts his eyes as he speaks.  "If the power of this dice is as you say, Andor, it should be destroyed.  Though I have heard it said that people seek to destroy that which they do not understand, I would happily live the rest of my life not knowing the secrets behind this die."

Andor 

"I agree, it isn't mine, so the choice must be Carrow's but it does seem an ill-omened piece of work."

Rixton:

I sit thinking about the news I brought back from the Triboar Arms. Something doesn't click. "How did Carrow end up with it, though?" I say. "If Pike always pocketed it, then it should be with Pike and not Carrow."

Ideas swirl around in my head but I don't have the right threads to lead me to the answer. "One possibility," I say at last, "Is that he rolled it, or at least that someone did." I look at Carrow for some sign of recognition. Finding none, I continue, "But we have no sign of a body. Unless Pike is in the cube. Or perhaps banished by it."

Carrow 

"I have no recollection of last night, i awoke early and came to breakfast" He runs his fingers over the die, a strange object indeed, he placed it in the palm of his hand black side facing up and considered rolling it, a joke in poor taste. "Nemyth where did Pike come from?" he turned to Rixton "i do like to roll dice after a drink but its usually only for money" bemused Carrow looks at Andor "I will keep it for now, an ill omen or not i believe it cannot harm others whilst in my possession, perhaps we can learn more about it given proper time" 

Andor 

"It is yours to do with as you will, if you ever find you cannot be without it though tell me, some items are cursed to make the owner never wish to let them go and they generally are wicked things." Andor looks at the ranger carefully judging a reaction to see if this might be the case

Insight 18 

The sorcerer studies Carrow carefully, looking for any indication that the half-orc is under the sway of some sinister magic. For now, all seems perfectly normal.

Carrow 

"I will be sure to let you know," the ranger replied hiding the die in a concealed pocket of his cloak "Where too next gentlemen" changing the subject "I would very much to meet this Half-Orc, to Everlund ?"