(Assuming Narz has no further?)

The rest ofnyou reconvene with your parties table and relay the information you got, providing more leads to follow up on in spring. If you wanted to discuss and cement a course of action for spring time now might be the time to do it. In spirit of the holiday and all.that.

To recap, you have the following story threads you could potentially follow:

Going with the dragon experts plan of finding the ancient green dragon in Kryptgarden forest to the north.

Searching for a red dragon even further north in Klauthen vale (a result of Narz's research)

Continuing a search for a druid in the high forest (quest given in Goldenfields)

Searching for Harshnag, a seemingly good aligned frost giant wandering the north

Investigating giant activity by your tower

Investigating giant activity by a ruined tower in the Dessarin Valley to the north

Investigating giant activity in the cold wood to the far north.

Traveling to Everlund to gain access to a series of teleportation circles for quick travel across the realm (result of Artys networking)

Once everyone had reconnoitered and shared their findings at the very least, the others are free to discuss things further for a bit without input from Narz as the hobgoblin busily took down notes and made what markings were possible on his current map. At one point he would grumble and say under breath, "Need a more expansive one, eh?"  Eventually the pen is set aside in favor of a swig of ale, before Narz then regarded the others with a bit of a half-amused smile.

"I meant what I said about meaning this outing to be more for personal enjoyment and a, uh... well, we hobgoblins -- or at least the ones from don't usually do this sorta...eh..." Narz sighs through his nose as he leaned back more into his chair, muttering his breath, "What am I trying to..." before trial off from there. After taking another swing of his drink, Narz sets the mug down to regard the others with a far more serious look. "There's a lot to consider. Both for the sake of the realm, funding, and allies that I'm sure we can all agree will need at act on or just plain need, eh?  And given how far spread everything is, gaining a means of fast travel should definitely be near the top of the list. Finding this Harshnag could be helpful as well. In fact, he could even not only have insight on this whole problem but might be one of the few actively doing anything about it. So, it would be good to find him."

Narz glances to his notes, considering them for just a moment, before shaking his head. "But there are issues with that as well. Namely, where to even begin looking for him. An easier task than trying to find a druid in a giant woods for sure, as any giant that's being helpful to smaller races is bound to attract attention the closer we are north. But even so... a task in itself. And while would like to follow-up on our dragon leads, Greens have the tendency to be.. manipulative, to say the least. And without a more compelling enticement for either on the upfront than the common good or old rivalries with giants, I fear we will fail to recruit either the Green or Red as things stand. At least for now. So, I guess my suggestion is this. We head to Everlund since that's in a northern direction and collect what further information we can about the things we know so far and get a better picture on things."

(Just a post to stay in peoples feeds)

Torsus grunts somewhat disappointingly, but he see's the wisdom in being able to move faster. Ultimately doing so would allow any leads they had to be at-least some degree quicker to follow up on. Though I am loathe to give up on the druid, I do see the wisdom in such a thing. And we all possess mounts of a sort, making the in-between swifter. Your arguements on the dragons is true as well, we have little to offer them.. or atleast 'I' do. The question is though, once we have achieved this access to circles - barring 'new' information, what would you propose our next step to be?

Artys nods in agreement about the circles. "It might be best to clear things out around this tower of yours. Once we do that we will have a safe place to retreat to and plan further campaigns from."

Narz loosely gestures to Artys and nods faintly in agreement. "Provided we do not learn more about either Harshnag location, as again the giant would likely be more aware of the situation, or find ourselves embroiled in other important business... such as discovering a means of aiding your particular situation, Torsus-" He gives the Tortle a meaningful look before carrying on without missing much of a beat. "-along the way, fully resolving that matter of the towers local stone giant issue would be a boon to us. I will need to see about purchasing a larger map to confirm it. But given the general direction that would take us following our current next step, we could possibly even see to our druid via the assistance of any neighboring towns to the high forest and their local woodsman."

“I agree. The teleportation circles will aid us in almost every other objective.  Same with our Tower. Having a functioning home base gives us a place to send information and resources to be condolenced together,” Claire says, agreeing with Artys on that point.

With plan in mind maps are laid on the table and a path chosen for the next destination. In preparation for the trip north you all purchase some winter clothing (please add to inventory and subtract the cost. Anyone lacking funds should know Artys got quite a lot of gold in his downtime to cover expenses and could ask to borrow) as well as any other supplies you think you might need such as rations or healing potions. Tendays pass leaving you all rested, earning gold, contacts, and skills as your time within the city of wonders was spent productively. Standing outside the city gates, finishing preparations on your mounts and taking one last stock of your belongings you begin along the long road to Everlund.

The roads are muddy with the spring thaw but otherwise fit for travel and luckily the trip is peaceful as there seems to be little activity this early in the season. The road leads you through the familiar towns of Rassalantar, Amphail and Red Larch, the prior two offering a comfortable stay and the third providing a painful reminder of lost comrades. After several days of travel from Waterdeep you soon approach a new town, Westridge. Its midday and there was some debate on riding through or spending the night at an inn among the party but all discussion is cut short as you are flagged down by one of the residents. If you're heading North to Tirobar I'm afraid you're out of luck. Rockslide is blocking the road a few miles ahead

The man talking is a curly haired halfing sitting at a makeshift merchants stall just outside the Harvest inn. He leans back in a chair reading from an old well read book. His stall contains several small statuettes and paintings of questionable taste for sale. You'll have to wait for the workers to clear the path but it could be tendays I hear. Course you could go east along the Stone Trail and head for Beliard, then go north from there. Though word has it they've been getting attacked by hill giants almost daily since the snows melted. Might not be safe. He looks back up and at your well armed group. Suppose you all would be fine though.

Torsus sniffs to clear his partially stuffed nose. No, he didn't have a cold, but cold air always made his nose stuffy.. perhaps it was allergies of some kind? Regardless, he was toasty beneath his own winter clothing that kept the cold air 'out there' and his actual nerves being beneath his shell where things were soft. The trip had proven to be rather eventless, which was a blessing and a curse at the same time to him. Once accosted by the halfling with adult-themed sponge-art and told of current events, Torsus purses his lips, considering for a moment.

Looking to the others, Torsus more or less states whats already been said, as well as the obvious, a powerful combination indeed.

Well, under normal circumstances I'd say we could go help remove the rockslide with my powers. My missile spell doesn't drain me much, and i'm sure if i continued to fire it ... it would knock the rocks over.... or make them break (eventually).... But our charter is to slay or allay giants, so I believe our destination is chosen for us, is it not? If so I say we should scurry on down to the location. he looks then to the halfling, asking for him to give them some detailed directions to the giants, if the party so chooses to go there, as if they chose not to they already knew where they were going anyway.

I harbor doubts that any of you will choose not to, but, you never know. You know where my vote is though. I am for taking out the issue.

Sir Artys nods. "Seems like we've been handed a chance to knock out two birds with one stone, best take it. To the giants is my vote as well."

If not via Claire, then it is with a certainty Narz make sure word is sent out to Dakkurz in advance about the circumstance with the new recruits before the break was over. Such had been where Narz' thoughts had wandered back to before being drawn back to the present situation. A situation that Narz makes no effort at all to mask displeasure in the news. But after hearing at least Artys and Torsus' reaction to it all, the hobgoblin ultimately accepted circumstances in a grudging nod of agreement. "A detour then. I would prefer to slay three birds in having a patron back such removal of threats. But seeing as that's all too unlikely my fellows, two birds will have to suffice, eh?"

He then regards the halfling man and asks, "You wouldn't happen to have any news about any other giant kin roaming the trails as well? They would be a solitary one for sure, and from what we've been told, this non-hill giant is not so nearly hostile to the small folk... compared to himself, at least."

The halfing considers for a moment. Well, I've heard there's been fire giants wondering around the area as well though I don't think anyone would came them friendly. Course word is they will fight any of their cousins if they run into them so maybe whoever told you that mistook their hatred of their hill giant kin as kindness to small folk as he fled eh? 

Narz clenches his jaw and frowns for just a second before relaxing once more. "No... The one we seek... I do not believe they would be one of their ilk." He admits, if albeit with some care. "In fact thinking of it now, their name is Harshnag. Harshnag the Grim. A Frost Giant of some renown. But if such does not ring a bell, it then seems we must travel yet further norther to learn more of what he's been up to." The hobgoblin pauses there to give the halfling time to consider his words. If yet still there's no recognition in his eyes, he simply nods and regards the rest. "Best we spend the night here after all though. Much as I'd want to make good time, getting caught unaware by a roaming giant -- however low the odds may be, wouldn't be the most comfortable for some of us, eh?" He looks pointedly at Claire and Artys and Torsus too if he had yet to display a knack for seeing in the dark.

"Yeah, I can't see well in the dark..." Claire admits.  Then she stretches.  "Well, we've got the rest of today to kill then.  Do we need any supplies before we go?"

Taking this opportunity to rest for the night you ret a couple of rooms at the Inn and get a proper meal and a proper sleep. The inn is fairly quiet, the only other guests being workers helping clear the northern road coming off shift. Several people seem keen to hear stories of your adventures and news from far off places so your afternoon is spent in relatively good company. The next morning your mounts are fed and saddled and you make an early go of it, heading along the Stonetrail to Beliard. Before you leave the innkeeper told you a bit about the stone bridge leading to Beliard, a massive stone archway that spans the Dessarin River, two miles from end to end and hundreds of feet tall at its apex. She says most guests are dwarves heading their for pilgrimage to honor some old battle but that this time of year there's not many folk traveling that way. Her final warning is that the dwarves who built it didn't seem to thin railings were needed and to watch your step.

Several hours of travel later you see the bridge ahead, and true to word the structure is massive in scale and able to stay high and dry in even the worst spring time floods. Made of fused granite and 15ft wide, you'll be at the mercy of the wind which is thankfully calm today. Staying in the center so as to not get too close to the edge you make your way across. As you reach the midpoint of the bridge you come to a halt as a figure you would have rather not seen comes into view. At the other end of the bridge, a tall, massive humanoid with dark skin and firey red hair dressed in heavy plate approaches from the other side of the bridge. Hes only about a quarter mile away (over 1000ft). At his feet, seemingly small in comparison to the giant, strides a large hound whose eyes glow like burning coals and who seems to exhale flame with every grunt. The giant stops as he notices your silhouettes at the top of the arch and reaches for his massive greatsword. With a whistle, the hound charges ahead. 

Initatives: Aeyd, Artys, Torsus, Hellhound, Giant, Claire, Narz. They are over 1000 ft away. So I'll make a map for combat when they are within range (and home to do so). You can choose your marching order and plan a course of action without fear of inatives at this time, Inatives will only affect movement. They move 60ft per 6 seconds so you have time.

(OOC: Narz would be on the back of Vigo at the back, as any good wizard would be in a party. So if allowed some prep rounds due to distance, he would do the following:)

As soon as Narz could make out the giant, his eyes narrow in growing anger. "We'll have but moments, but it will have to be enough! Artys! I can accelerate either you or your horse to meet the hound sooner, but we need to get in close to the giant before it decides to destroy the bridge in spite."  Narz called ahead while whipping out an metallic rod. "Just say the word. Once I and Torsus are close enough, we should be able to shove both the giant and hound off the bridge."

Torsus - Riding on his pony, seems to be admiring the view, as well as the craftsmanship, even taking notes on some things, as per his culture. He was quite enraptured by it when Narz noticed the approaching giant and company... well, his little dog too. Though as Narz makes his declaration, Torsus asks Hrm... I was going to say to do that to me instead but ... then again, it may be prudent not to put all our eggs in one basket. 

The Tortle weaves the arcane signs to grant himself flight... as he slips off his pony, also near the back, as any good caster should be.. atleast outside of combat. I don't mean to take away the glory, but perhaps I can end this before it even comes to that. I shall fly beneath the bridge ... where he cannot possibly see me until I resurface that is... But I can be where he is within..... Hrm.... he says, gauging the distance... In thirty to fourty seconds if i focus on speed... I'll meet him before he's even gone four hundred feet or so. Regardless, I shall not wait for permission... sorry. Plan accordingly should I fail. he says before dropping off the side of the bridge. The pony continuing to walk with the group, as Torsus begins his flight, counting the seconds in his head as he makes his way towards the threat... where neither he nor they could see the other.

Actions: Fly, Dash under the bridge until Torsus would be at the 550 foot mark (Roughly 5 turns worth of dashing 120 feet. Costing him about 30-35 seconds of his 10 mins of 'fly' I chose 550 since I imagine that to be about where him and the giant will be 'roughly' at the same spot on the bridge. Torsus will be listening for 'giant stomps' just in case his 'guess' is wrong. He will not reveal himself or attack immediately.

Claire raises her holy symbol and casts Bless, enveloping Artys, Torsus, and Ayed in holy light for a moment as the effect sets in (+1d4 to attack rolls and saving throws).  "This should help you engage once you reach them!" Claire shouts to the others.  "If any of you need to retreat for healing, let me know.  I can cast Wind Wall and curl it back and forth over the bridge to create several barriers they'd have to go through to get to us, but you'd need to pull back first!"

(I'd imagine Aeyd would be behind whoever is at the front!)

Aeyd's eyes slide shut as she takes in a deep breath after sighting the enemies before them. With Claire's magic washing over her, she exhales. Taking Torsus and Narz words into account, the monk rushes forth, but ensures she wouldn't 'get in the way' of whatever it is the tortle and hobgoblin had in store for their foes.

(Essentially, Aeyd listens to Torsus' warning and makes sure she isn't in any danger, but she will be on standby in case things don't go as planned. Trigger will be as said, if it doesn't look like its working, then she will jump in and attack. I hope this makes sense lol I am very exhausted.)