Moog shakes her head violenty. No No No! No help small folk. Can't trust. Moog sit in tower where safe.

Narz shrugs and said, "As you wish then. But if you would keep from their farms at least, and not help others take from them, then... that's fine." He glances to the others with furrowed brows and appearing half-surprised none had really spoken up by that point. But without a word, he turns back to the giant. "And think with that we will leave you be. But should we return and our able to uhm... help rescue you're husband, we will be sure to find you, I... suppose. *ahem* Anyhow, uhm... Oh! Would you mind describing what he looks like as well? That we if we do happen to see him, we'd know."  

I'll wait for the current conversation to finish before saying anything.

(Artys is doing his best to not be noticed behind the giant, just in case, so he's staying silent.)

Moog stops halfway into climbing back into the tower to consider. Ah! He is big, and bald except around the armpit. Have two eyes...two arms...two legs...carry club. She continues to ramble off a few more equally unhelpful descriptions that could very well be any hillgiant before climbing back into her tower. Unless there's more where too next?

Torsus .. unless she was somehow speaking common couldn't understand a word being said... Hmm, have we found out where we're going Narz? It seems she's not going to attack us at-least. Regardless, we should be on our way to wherever it is, unless you would prefer to go elsewhere?

Narz shoulders sags and softly exhales with the giant's departure. At the question, he looks back and then to the sky as if measuring the time before faintly nodding and looking to the others again. "Now we double back and find that other trail and get on it. Preferably before nightfall, least we be better off waiting for them in the fields back in town and hoping for the best." He replied calmly, but could not help furrowing his brow and rubbing his chin. "That being said, it would be better not to confront them on the properties of those we aim to protect. Far too many variables to consider even with a half way decent plan and tymora on our side. And though I have a certain respect for the gods beyond my own patron deities, in the end, it is better to not test their attention or patience when our own efforts should suffice."  He cracks a grin that almost immediately turn into a scowl as he rubbed at his face. "Blast this accursed afflic--Hmph! ... Let us be on with it and find our missing hooligans. Sir Artys, if you would be so kind to guide us. I believe it was you that found it last."

Artys nods as he walks from the tower and begins working his way back to the other tracks, maintaining his silence as the others seem to have thoughts.

Torsus looks a bit confused at Narz, specifically about one part of the sentence.... before after rereading it in  his mind he realized what Narz was saying. Though it was funny enough to make the tortle laugh. Of course it would always be better to fight where the homes of those around us are not the only means of defense, lest we defend a ruin by the end. But yes I agree.  However might I offer a suggestion... Might i offer a suggestion? if we have the coin for a telescope... or some other similar eye piece that will let me see farther.... I can... snipe the enemies from afar when we get there, perhaps killign a few before the fight starts meanign we can either make them flee... draw them out.... or yo ucan all rush in in the confusion...

Sorry, had to go to work

Posted.

Sir Artys leads you back to where the tracks split and picks up the main groups trail again. After another couple of hours of traveling and you soon find the sight of battle. Several hill giants lie dead around a makeshift camp and much of the surrounding area is charred. You see no signs of movement after observing for some time.

"I doubt such lenses are quite within the budget, but if any are acquired or such capital finds its way into our hands again, it can certainly be done." Narz had at least replied to the Tortle as the group retraced their steps. During the next few hours, Narz tries again to wrest control over his vocal chords both physically and even with some minor enchantments. Ultimately however, at best he can manage is to at least stabilize as a baritone voice with a rural dialect, much to his ongoing chagrin. However, this particular personal concern is soon cast aside for a look of surprise at the camp.

"Well shucks yaw'll. Seems someone beat us to the punch. Ain't that somethin'!" He clicks his tongue spurring spaz to clamor up onto a shoulder. Then with just a gesture of the head, the flying cat takes high into the air to scan the area above the campsite from on high. "That said, we shouldn't be too persumptious. I doubt there ain't plenty of folk of both the civilized variety and the not that wouldn't happily cut down a couple of giants if'n it'a suit'em. So let's approach with some caution. At least until we can study the bodies and get a better figure on what happened." He asserts and if need be goads his mount onward to proceed just a little ways ahead of the group for a closer look.

Spaz Aerial Lookout: 15. 

Narz Examination of Giant Bodies: 8. 

Just waiting on resolution of rolls

(Sorry been a busy week)

Narz, Spaz informs you that the area seems to be clear. He finds no trace of anyone else in the area or any immediate dangers. Your examination of the bodies however leaves you with little information beyond the most obvious. They suffered grievous wounds from a large blade of some sort.

Narz steps back from one nearby corpse frowning and combing his chin more briskly than usual. "Whoever did this wielded a hefty blade, to say the least. Just how much so, I cannot be certain. But given the depth of some and the lack of more thoroughly severed limbs, it is not outside the realms of possibility that our killer was a 'small folk' like ourselves at least." He affirms. 

"Either way, uh, it seems our job was done for us. But while I'm tempted to see if we can find'em and try 'n recruit'em to our cause, I'm not sure if we got enough time left today to make much progress on that note. And even if we did, I personally rather not get further off track then we already have been with this." Narz at that point looks to the rest of the party. "But such a decision isn't mine alone of course. I'd hear the rest of ya'lls thought." 

A random thought occurred to Torsus as he considered the situation. As unlikely as it was. he surveyed the area himself a bit while Narz spoke. Well..  I could be wrong... but you say it may have been a hefty blade? Perhaps it was Sir Zack? I recall him possessing a rather large blade, and he may have been sent out to defend some land or another, or perhaps is even on his own quest of some sort. Regardless, twould be fruitless to seek out someone we neither know who for certain, nor where they went after. Unless your feline friend can find them within a reasonable time.

Personally If we are near the high forest....(are we DM?) I suggest we look for the druid. Perhaps I am harping on, but druids have a knowledge of nature... and nature speaks with itself. He may be able to speak to trees in other locations, or even other druids and we can from there... create a nearly instantaneous communication network.... or perhaps I don't know what they are capable of. 

Otherwise... I believe there was business at the tower acquired by Ser Zack. If there was another point of discussion, I am willing to hear it but those two have my vote personally. And to be clear, I mean the druid... or the tower. he said, heaving a heavy breath as he spoke till his lungs were empty.

(Kinda sorta. The High Forest is still about a day or twos travel east through the wilds.)

"Hn. If only." Narz glances up at Spaz. "My familiar is many things, but a swift hunter he sure ain't. Heh! And if it really was Ser Zack, all the better for the realm. He's running further afield then expected, but either way, the threat has been dealt with and the townsfolk should be informed, if they haven't already. Mayhaps will even confirm for certain our slayers motives, should they too had been spurred to action by our would be employer. Whose to say." Narz shrugs and shakes his head a bit.

"Personally, my stance on the druid however remains unchanged. A druid in the wild -- especially one of such power are notoriously hard to find. Perhaps through their connections to nature they may yet reach out to us should we get close enough. Perhaps not. I once had fortunate chance to stay with a clan of firbolgs in my younger years following an incident regarding my unit. And if they are any example, seeing as they follow such tradition, we're more likely to be run off than anything. Nevermind the other various forces that make up the High Forest. 'cause as it was, me and my surviving unit one of their youngest took pity on us. So, all that's to say is that we need to find more of an 'in' on that front to better locate'm, if not a more experience outdoorsman to guide us... no offence to Ser Artys of course."

"As fer the tower, based on the last word from Dakkurz things are okay fer now, 'spite the troubling sighting of Stone Giants. And with the reinforcements I sent in more mercenaries, they should be hold it well enough. So worry ya know 'bout that. We'll head over there fer a personal inspection in due time. Fer now though we should keep our focus to matters in the north. So, unless more of ya have objections-" He looks to the rest of the group. "Let's head on back 'fore it gets too late."

Could Artys get more details on the weapon? Looking around for any marks on the walls or anything else that might be able to give some clues. 

Perception: 14

Yes. You can tell this blade was huge. Much larger than anything any human could reasonably weild without some sort of magical assistance. A giant on the other hand could easily weild such a blade. Beyond that there are other wounds besides cuts, teeth marks as well as burns. With all this information you can reasonably assume a fire giant took out these poor fools.