Artys points to the marks. "It was no human blade, it was a giant. Likely a fire giant."

Narz looks taken aback for a second or two, before giving the injuries a second once over. If/With Artys guidance, the hobgoblin cannot help but scowl for a bit, before sighing and rubbing at his eyes. "Great. Now I'm half blind apparently." He muttered.

"Good looking out, Ser Artys. Seems we -- /I/ might've jumped the long a bit too soon, huh? Though if one'em are involved, that does complicate things just a tad." He looks over all the various hill giants. "Eh. Pretty sure these chuckle heads were still the one's responsible for the whole extortion of course, which takes care of that at least. But I'unno... Think you can suss out a trail for this fire gaint, Ser Artys? If not, I'm still afraid we at a bit of a dead end on that part."

Torsus clears his throat, to point out the obvious. Well, we can still collect on the bounty. And say we had assistance in eliminating the giants. We can ask for only half the reward offered, under the circumstances. That will both make the people there happy to know that atleast for now they are relatively safe. We still make some profit from this. And we won't rob the community of all it's wealth. I say it's quite the compromise. and will ultimately make us gain some renown.

Given Artys apparent skill in tracking its not difficult to at least get a partial trail of the fire giant, however it seems to head back where you came before fading. You do remember facing such a giant not too long ago while on your journey. It seems likely that was your culprit or at least an associate. Regardless theres little more for you here. You make your way back to the town of Beliard, arriving in mid afternoon. As you enter the Inn the innkeeper greets you enthusiastically "Ah its our giant hunters! Back so soon? I hope this means you were successful and not that you couldn't the bastards."

Quote from Raiketsu >>

Torsus clears his throat, to point out the obvious. Well, we can still collect on the bounty. And say we had assistance in eliminating the giants. We can ask for only half the reward offered, under the circumstances. That will both make the people there happy to know that atleast for now they are relatively safe. We still make some profit from this. And we won't rob the community of all it's wealth. I say it's quite the compromise. and will ultimately make us gain some renown.

 Narz in response to the suggestion furrowed his brow deeply and ran a hand along his beard. If/When Artys affirms the fire giant being possibly the one and same as they fought on the bridge, the hobgoblin finally appears to relent in some halfway noise between a grunt and huff. "I... Well shucks, I ain't much for coloring the truth of a job overly favorly in that sort of way... But, if they be find with being at least informed of things still being worth the half, I see no reason not to accept it." He assured as much, and without more to bind them to area, he followed along wordlessly. 

"Well-" Narz later on said upon being greeted by the Inn Keeper. "Depends on your meaning of success. Seeing as some fire giant sorta beat us to the punch by all reckoning, 'n cut down your giant robbers. Not out of any altruism though, as it ironically weren't even a day before we arrived in town that we ran into 'im. Him and his firey pooch. And long story short, we ain't even have to say a word 'fore he drew steel 'n try to cut us down." Narz cannot help but smile malevolently as he adds, "So, we made sure we sent'im on his way to his gods, seeing as he was so eager to meet'em, if you catch my drift."

Since Narz more or less said something similar to what Torsus  was going to say, he can only wait to see the response.

Ah, I see, the innkeeper mutters to herself. Well, I s'pose thats still a good thing. Giants a dead and gone and ye killed another that may have plagued our town. Don't s'pose you brought back any proof of this giant ye felled? Something on its person or something clearly belonging to the giant?

Torsus almost laughed, pointing to the others, especially Narz. A cocky smirk, unusual for the tortle. Haha! See, I told you so! Some sort of proof. I am glad I took the time to tear off a few bits from it's hound. And I believe Arty's has the giants rod... no not his... a metallic jet black rod. While I possess several fangs, the tail of, and the claws of it's ... pet. The rest of it would have been too time consuming to bother with the tools we had on hand. Hopefully this will all suffice? he asks, fidgeting around with his bag until he pulled out the aforementioned items that were on his person, while waiting for Arty's or Narz... if it had been put inside the bag of holding, to procure it.

With the bits of the hound and Robin hand the barkeep simply nods in acceptance. Aye, tis proof enough. Yer payment. She puts a pouch of 500 gold on the counter. Now if ye be wondering how to spend yer newfound wealth I have rooms for rent and drink and food aplenty.

(OOC: Not sure how I missed this update, but I did and I do apologize.)

Narz looked a bit skeptical at the Tortle, and even reluctant to follow through as suggested by the Tortle. But while silently thankful of avoiding the need to present more evidence, the cocky grin from Torsus drew out roll of the eyes and self-admonishing smirk of his own. "Well, I was kinda hoping we might save a bit of coin for the journey ahead... But, I s'pose returning some to the 'community' is fine enough." He replied to the Inn Keeper along with a small smile. 

Although realizing he had smiled moments later, the hobgoblin is quick to screw his face back into a more professional expression, before tacking on to the party, "A-anyhow!  Ladies and gentlemen and especially you, Sir Artys, for tracking our all you've done today, enjoy the rest of the evening. But come the morrow, it is back on the road for us with hopefully fewer sidestops along the way, eh?" At that, Narz briskly finds himself a seat at a table, eager to make good on his suggestion, if only to ease some of the fatigue from travel itself. 

Torsus had noted the odd behavior, since before, Narz seemed mostly tense/stern/stoic but recently he seemed to be struggling with himself. Well your unique behaviour aside Narz, Please remind this old Tortle where the 'road' is. As every time we get sidetracked I seem to forget. As our focus changes. Forgive an old man.  he said, giving Narz a chance to explain without 'demanding' an explanation, as well as reminding the group (mostly due to the long gaps in posting :P) where our main goal lies. Then once responded to, he turns to the person who had given them their quest, and says But that sounds nice. Even if combat wasn't had, the road still battled our heels, tiring them out! And made our bellies desire sustainence. So give me something cheap but filling, and your middle ground ale. And a room to myself if possible.

Narz immediately opened his mouth as if to answer, only to pause in thought for a second or two. "Hold on a moment, partner. I made sure to write these sorta things down just in case. I don't know, but I get the odd feeling that this whole business of settling giant, uh... business, is, uh, gonna require in air quotes a bit of side hustling. This being whether we like or not." He draws out a small notebook and began absently flipping through a few notes as he continued. "Which in itself may or may not be a bad thing in itself, so long as it's done in moderation... and preferably not involving us getting banned from a town, shit hole smelling though that one was." He smirked a bit at that, before with an "Ah, here it is", settled on a page. 

"Hmm... yea.. yea, that makes sense. So, uh, the current goal as it stands is to head up further north to Everlund and see about getting access to them teleport'n circles. That way we at least have a little leeway on where we can go next, even if we'd still be somewhat limited by the destination. Heck, we might even inadvertantly open a shortcut to some of the places we need to hit up anyhow." He explained. "And while we're at it, we can see 'bout , uh, asking for Harshnag's whereabouts. Which truth be told, when Sir Artys here made mention of a giant cutting those other ones down, it did pass my mind that he could've been responsible. But from what I recall, he's still a ways north. Still! We gotta keep our ears open fer that, and fer any experienced hunters, rangers, or heck, even some wild folks that can maybe -- MAYBE help us find our arch druid... With me so far old timer?" 

Despite Narz's dissertation being aimed mainly at Torsus, Claire leans forward and listens intently, nodding at the many details.  She crosses her arms as the hobgoblin finishes.  "So while we shouldn't be 'taking our time', exactly... the more area we cover and the more people we interact with, the more likely we are to find information and allies."  She closes her eyes and tucks her chin as she thinks for a moment, seeming to come to some kind of conclusion as she looks back up.  "So what's on the menu?  I could go for some lamb if you have it!" she says to the barkeep.

(Finally trying to jump back into the games.  Work stuff isn't quite figured out yet, but the situation's been going on long enough now that the stress isn't as overwhelming.  Just turned in an application for a new job position today so wish me luck!  If it goes well I'll finally be in the clear!)

(That's good. Ive had the same issues before, consider quik trip, i dont know about your state but theyre hirign $21/hr here)

Narz snapped his fingers, then gestured over to Claire with a half smile. "She got it. If I could reach out to Happy, the firbolg fella that sorta set me on this path with ya'll originally, he'd probably some connections or crazily enough might even know the fella, assuming he's got any fey connections or belong to that, uh..." The hobgoblin snaps his fingers a few times before nodding at a thought. "That one Enclave of the Green or somethin'."

He waves his hand dismissively over the possibility though, and looked on eagerly for either the inn keeper or another server to swoop in at Claire's request so that he might add his own.

(To xJoe: Although this is way late in me saying this, welcome back Joe! Sorry to hear things have been rough, but here's hoping by now things have gotten at least a little better one way or another.)

The bar keep gladly takes any orders places. Food costs about 4 copper for a meat dish, 2 just for fruits and oats. Drinks run a silver each. Any order placed is quickly taken and food and drinks arrive quickly. Most of the people here are simple farmer folk with the odd traveler. Theres not much in the way of gossip other than people talking about how you supposedly rid them of their giant problem.  (If you guys wish to talk or plan among yourselves feel free otherwise when you're ready to hit the road let me know)

(OOC: Unless the others have anything to further discuss, I'm good to move on to the next day's journey whenever.)

Although mostly a miser by nature, as some training as a quartermaster in the past meant greater mindfulness of such things and more, Narz unhesitatingly puts forth 10 gold of his personal share towards a running tab for the evening. And if anything was left over by the time it came to retire, then it is with a bit of nonchalant air that he ask of the bar keep for the coin to go to the next few patrons as drinks on the house.

Torsus simply enjoys his meal, since they have a plan of action, though while the others head to bed (when they do) torsus would return to the barkeep or whomever it was who had given them the quest, and return half of his share (100?) and say to give it back to all those who had pitched in for the reward, and to simply remember the group with Narz, Torsus, and the rest, tellign her that this group may change who is all in it but  the group is there for the sake of the people and that he doesn't want these people to starve to get rid of some giants, or to go into abject poverty. Aside form that, Torsus does nothing else.

You all get your rest and in the morning Sir Artys becons you all to make an announcement. Last night after you went to bed a messenger arrived in the night. It seems I am needed back in Waterdeep, some personal developments have come about in regards to my families property and my attention is needed immediately. I had intended to go alone but Aeyd here has expressed a desire to come along. Though your current endeavors are far too important for me to ask for all your help, I would not turn down Aeyds assistance. The rest of you are of course welcomed to stay in my estate whenever you find yourselves in Waterdeep. I wish you luck in your adventures and hope you will let me treat you to dinner next time you stop by the city.

Narz is struck speechless for a long moment before uttering a soft, "You're... you're serious?"  He then looked between Sir Artys and an assumedly standing by Ayed for any hints of cracks suggest a prank at the party's expense. Seeing and sensing no false hood or jest before long, he eventually let out a sigh and rubbed at his temple. "... Verily well. Though I hesitate still to believe any 'family property' business to be as important as our mission, I won't press, and instead... thank you fer the assurance." He replied, if though with a hint of disappointment to his voice. 

"If time or this business of yours does permit, do please see if you can find out more of..." He trailed off for a bit in thought, before snapping his fingers and making some offhanded gesture. "-shoot, honestly anything that you think would be helpful regarding the giants or dragons. There aughta be mages or perhaps a cleric that can reach us magically in a pinch you can speak to in the city. Though a message sent to Everlund to the one we're after aughta do just as well. Probably." At that, Narz would pat Artys on the pauldron and add, "It might not have been long as well, but it has also been pleasure working with ya. And may whatever god you worship see you someday by our side again, fighting the fighting the good fight, eh?"