Devin nods to the man.  "Giants in the Surbrin Hills eh?  Now that's something I am certain we can look into.   We've been looking into trouble with giants for quite some time now.   I'll speak to the others."

Finding D with Torunn he let's them know of the request. 

"More giant trouble.   A couple hill giants are extorting these good halflings and the halflings hope we can stop then from returning.   He said they are in the Surbrin Hills.  I say we look into it.  Giants are a bit of our specialty now.  Maybe we can learn something from them about what is happening with the Ordning."

Seeing the change in Torunn

"And just what were you drinking last night?   Because nothing I drank made me look like that!   Impressive! "

Lukian hesitates, then think-speaks, "But do you not know? That you no longer have a blade?"

Lukian hesitates, then think-speaks, "But do you not know? That you no longer have a blade?"

"Silly, of course I have the ability to project a blade if that is what is needed! I am a sword after all" the voice responds. 

"It would also be unfortunate to have what we've done here overturned so quickly." D.O.R.K admits, and with that, the choice was clear. "I see no reason not to. There's a non-zero chance we may also acquire much needed funds in the process as well. Were you given directions to where these 'Surbin Hills' lie, or a may we use?" She asked curiously.

"I didn't ask.  I presumed if this was something we could handle, and I am sure it is,  they could point us in the right direction."

Devin responds with a shrug.

"So unless the others have an objection I'll get directions from  Ol Pert."

(OOC: the Surbrin Hills are located directly to the north of the village on the other side of the Surbrin River (see map at beginning of  campaign)

Ebonitus agrees, "We should take on the hill giants and see if there is more reason for giant activity within their abode."

Torunn smiles to Dork and Devin, wiping the sweat of his brow, "Yes, it seems Gond has rewarded me for my work so far." He then collects his musket and puts it back across his shoulder. "More hill giants? I agree, worst case we help this village, best case we have a new lead for our mission."

Lukian's brows jump upward, thinking, "Will you show me your blade?"

Lukian's brows jump upward, thinking, "Will you show me your blade?"

"I did think that you would never ask!" the voice says inside Lukian's head "you know I may be a bit rusty at this - its been a long time - but here goes" there is a flicker of light and a small bar of light about the size of a small dagger emerges from the end of the hilt. The voice inside Lukian's head seems to be more talking to itself when it says "c'mon that's not good enough - you can do better!" Suddenly there is a roar and a bar of light (think light sabre) about the length of a long-sword emerges from the hilt. The light is so bright - almost like sunlight - that Lukian has to shield his eyes. 

At the sudden brightness, several of the halflings who had been packing up after the party - i.e. finishing off the remaining food - rush over "what was that?" they ask in chorus.  

Lukian can't help but smile. "Well ... it's Dawnbringer," he admits.

Lukian spends at least 10 minutes examining the sword and learning from Dawnbringer how to use the weapon. It's been a long day, so he promises the sword that they will converse more the next day.

The next morning, Lukian nods as the party appears to be in agreement about looking into the giant predicament. "I would like to make sure Old Pert gets a proper escort to his family's home in Yartar so that they may be reunited. And we might should check in with the Lieutenant — report on what we've accomplished so far and what we plan to do next. It seems the proper thing for deputies to do." He makes a face, clearly still finding the whole rigmarole tiresome, but trying to make the best of it.

D.O.R.K bowed her head and admitted, "That... is also true." The living construct would shift their weight onto a back leg, cross their arms, but with one hand propped up at the elbow, tapped at her chin. "That is, if that is his wish to have it done immediately. If not, I can send a Message. It will be taxing, but I rarely have successful used the more taxing miracles for anything that was not meant for support." She admitted, then cocked her head to the side. "Does this alleviate your concerns, Lukian?"

"If that is your wish," Lukian replies.

 "It would be the most efficient way to handle things, if Old Pert has no intention to leave just yet." D.O.R.K replied frankly. "Though admittedly, while we could still return for both, the lack of ammunition may be a problem." She then turns to Torunn and asked curiously, "Remind me, brother. Can you create arrows through your lord's blessing? Or might we be better off returning to Yatar to make another requisition anyhow."

Once she had confirmation there for either case, she would Send several reports for a roughly conclusive report, or the one updating of their intent to return shortly and plans to rid another nearby threat. However, as she presses her finger to where an ear should be, there's a pause....

If constructs could sweat, D.O.R.K would visibly be doing so as she tried to recall the name of the lietinuet they were to report to!

(@Grant: Did lt. or even Quartermaster ever give a name? Or was it only the guy at the gate?)

(@Grant: Did lt. or even Quartermaster ever give a name? Or was it only the guy at the gate?)

No the lieutenant didn't give a name. I also gypped you lot of the XP from the Yeth Hounds. You all get an additional 880 xp each

Torunn turns to DORK, "I can make arrow heads, if you get your acolytes to make the arrow shafts and do the fletching, I'll be able to fix on the arrow heads."  

"I have 20 arrows I likely won't need," Lukian offers. "As for Old Pert, I guess I assumed he'd want to return to Yartar right away to see his family. I'll find and ask him." Lukian then leaves in search of Old Pert to find out if he is ready to travel to Yartar.

D.O.R.K nods appreciatively to Lukian, but looks mainly between Torunn and the elf. "In their current condition they would require more rest. Only Beedo would truly have need of arrows in anycase, as Vark has adapted well to fighting on the front line." She looks again to the others and says, "If there's any other business you might attend to in the village either which way, this one would suggest seeing to it. We leave in the next few minutes." 

With all that said, her finger goes to the symbol this time as she spoke the words that would leave both it and her eyes burning gold, "1st Corporeal Fredrick Potgeiter. Dork Speaking. Requesting name of Lieutinant most likely in charge of deputizing temporary Yatar's Shield. You can respond to this message.'

At the mention of the arrows going to Beedo, Lukian hesitates, and a shadow crosses his face before disappearing again.

A stroll in the hills ....  Day 3 - First Ten-day, Month of Elient (The Fading)

 As the party gets ready to leave, D.O.R.K. attempts to communicate with one of the soldiers back in Yartar "1st Corporeal Fredrick Potgeiter. Dork Speaking. Requesting name of Lieutinant most likely in charge of deputizing temporary Yatar's Shield. You can respond to this message.'" After a while she hears a voice back in her head "Ma'am, First Corporal Potgeiter responding. How are you doing this? Is it a specific power of senior acolytes of The Red Knight?"

The party spends most of the day climbing out of the valley where Crickhollow - the Halfling village - was located. As they climb up onto the hills they encompass the full force of the weather. While the wind is still a relatively warm wind blowing from the south, it is bringing with it heavy rain that makes it difficult to see the surrounding hills. It is undoubtedly going to be a wet night tonight.