(Well i was gonna post but.. then i realized we were waiting on a response)

Narz opened his mouth as if to answer, hesitated for a second, and then as soft as he could, utter an incantation while gesturing to a space ofof to the side, conjuring three crows at rest on the ground. "Cast yer spell, but don't mind those three. I'll stay ready to bid them to make some noise elsewhere if it ever looks as if the dragon might turn in our direction. Best I can do on short notice without making it wary and screwing us all over. But we still need to be a fair bit quick and quiet as much as we can 'fore its done." He urges the group, and if all were in agreement, Narz postioned his body as well as he could to be ready to move as soon as Natasha was ready to go.

(OOC: Casted 3rd level Flock of Familiars to summon 3 ravens.)

Natasha nods and casts Pass without a trace. The snow seems to immediately cover your tracks as you move amd almost seems to move with you yo help hide you. Everyone make stealth checks with PwT bonus

Narz' Stealth: 27. 

(OOC: Narz will temporarily dismiss Spaz into its pocket dimension to not have to worry about rolling him. And made an edit in my last post clarify spell used to summon the ravens)

Stealth: 23

PAW stealth: 5 (still at adv due to armor!)

 Natashas spell seems to work as intended as you slowly make your away across the tundra and towards the rocky outcropping ahead. The dragon continues its meal unaware of your presence. Eventually it stretches out its wings and wanders over to the place you had been hiding just as you all reach your new hiding place. The dragon looms around before taking off into the sky. You all duck behind the rocks as the dragon flies overhead heading North.

As the dragon fades into the distance Augrek sighs a breath of relief. Thank Moradin for that. Running into a white dragon in the open tundra like this, thats a worst case scenario. At least it was kind enough to take care of those wolves for us.

Zack patted Augrek on the back, quietly. Bah, wasn't Moradin who saved us. It was you, and Natasha here. And I say that with full respect to Moradin.... i think that's your race's diety? I grew up in the country so forgive me for my ignorance. We should wait a few more minutes, then get back on the path.

Claire sighs with relief and looks to Natasha.  "Truly, that spell saved us.  I'm not particularly deft at moving quietly.  I'm glad we didn't have to fight that thing."

(OOC: Also sorry for the delays. Meant to have a post out far sooner, but internet always pulled a fast one and chose not to work properly whenever I grabbed a chance to type.)

Even well after the dragon appeared to depart the area, so long as Narz had his spell going, he'd see to it that the trio of ravens eventually take flight and spread out to maintain a wide surveillance of the area going forward for a time. Coordinating them took however some focus, so it is after the others have spoken their peace that the hobgoblin final allows his own sigh of relief to escape, before then running a hand down his face until he pulled a bit at the chin.

"Deity's involvement or not, I'm just grateful to we made it through it alright. Still a shame we couldn't risk speaking to it. But given how viciously it went after the wolves, I don't wager they are much the talk'n type anyhow." He then looks over to Natasha and gives her small but approving smile and nod. "My thanks as well, Natasha. Keep up the good work." He turns after which to address the party and says, "I agree with Zack here. We'll hunker here for a few -- if that's alright with ya Augrek. Then, we aughta press on and hope for the best. Shoot, Tymora and your Moradin willing, the dragon did us enough of a favor scaring off any threats ahead of us for a good few miles.... Though speaking of which, uh.. remind me again, Augrek. What's, uh.. what's mainly to the north of here."

Natasha takes her compliments with a polite nod and a smile. I'm just glad the magic worked. Honestly I don't think I've ever cast that outside of practice.

Meanwhile Augrek keeps her eyes on the direction the dragon flew off in.. North of here? More tundra, eventually Icebergs and the sea of moving ice if we stick to the east. About a half a days travel from here is as far as I've ever gone. From there we'll be exploring new territory looking for your giants. But we should be cautious, that dragon may be gone but it may return at a moments notice. We don't want to get caught in the open if that happens. But yes, I'm content to hunker down here until you're ready to move again. 

Claire lets herself settle into the snowy ground for a moment, happy to be taking a break after walking and running in clothes much heavier than she’s used to.  “Here’s hoping we find them quick. Or at all.  It’d be a real shame if this chilly, dangerous trip was all for naught.”

Zack finally turns to Natasha and the others. You did good Natty but you're my wife's sister, so I never doubted you would! As for hunkering down... I figure we just wait a few minutes, let the dragon fly off somewhere else and get distracted by something or someone else. Then proceed. No need to linger longer than legitimately required!  he clarified. He seemed almost disappointed they didn't get to test their mettle against a dragon - whether verbally or physically... Then it his him..

Hey Narz... have your birds keep an eye out for any giants as well, may as well while you're doing it anyway... I dunno what kind of burden that puts on you but use it while you have it... magic is like stamina basically... you have it till you're out. And the more you excercise it the longer it lasts.

Narz smirks. "Well ahead of ya in regards to the birds, oh don't worry! But also... Hmn... Well, for those that walk the path of true wizardry, it's less about building 'stamina' or pushing bodily limits. That path is the one of fools, Sorcerers-" He chuckles. "-and others more blessed with a deeper connection to the weave. For those of us that would master it beyond just 'feeling', four are far more important: Experience. Experimentation. Or the acquisition of knowledge form those that have come before. And knowing well your limits, least you suffer any one of the three Ds of Doom." 

After that, unless Zack or another had a more immediate counterpoint to address, Narz then looks to Claire. "And whiile I wouldn't agree to it being an entire waste, the... setback of taking too long would be felt for sure. But, we'll as we always have make the most of it... Speaking of which."  The goblinoid looks off to the sky as if scanning for something, before nodding to himself. "Things... appear clear enough. So let's give it no more than another minute and be on our way, Dragon or No Dragon."

Augrek takes a seat on some stone after clearing the snow off it and begins digging into some rations and water. Natasha follows suit while keeping an eye on the sky. We can rest as long as you need but I agree, better we keep this break short. Theres still plenty of daylight left before we need to camp for the night. I suggest we start turning west and follow the coast. Though I'm loathe to go the same direction as the dragon, one of the few things I know about frost giants is they are sailors. If they have a stronghold nearby it seems likely it'll be near water so that seems a good place to start our search. We'll just need to keep an eye on the skies as well. The sea of moving ice has plenty of dragons but they normally stay among the ice flows. Hopefully thats where that beast was heading.

With that and having finished her meal Augrek stands back up to peer over the rocks at the path ahead. Once everyone has rested she gathers up her gear and begins leading the way forward once more. 

After another day of walking, while keeping the coast of the vast sea of ice in your sight, Augrek becons you to hold. Up ahead, just off shore you see a large ship anchored. A comparatively smaller yet still quite large boat is pushed up on shore with three large figures standing around it.

Hmm, can't quite tell from here but I'd wager thems giants. Goblinkin, can you work your fancy magic and get us a better idea of what we're looking at?

Narz nods, and after taking a knee, he traces a magical sigil just above the ground that glimmers dully for a second or two. Then twin piles of ice, snow, and earth rises and congeals into small figures before falling away and revealing a pair of ravens. After looking about, their gaze meets Narz and stay locked for a long moment, before they finally take off into the air on a seemingly lazy flyby closer to the boats. As a precaution however, their route is a bite of a wide one during the approach, least a curious gaze draws attention towards the party. 

"It'll be a moment, but I aughta confirmation shortly. And if a see an opportunity, I aughta be able to even get them in closer still to have look inside." He assures the group, before grimacing and rubbing at his eyes for a bit. "Tch. Useful as this spell is, having six sets of eyes always active is a bit of a trip." He says with a half-hearted smirk playing at the edge of his lips. " Thing is, even if these ain't quite our giants, we may need to engage them all the same to get a better feel of their movements, assuming it's possible. So, do be sure to be using your own eyes and minds to be figure'n out the best approach, and I'll keep up a play-by-play in the meantime." 

(To Urben: According to google, Ravens are wintry birds, so shouldn't stand out too much. But if you need a stealth check all the same, do let me know.)

Hugin Perception: 22.

Munin's Perception: 18.

(They would also register as celestial, for what it matters. And their goal is to fly over for a closer look without getting too too into arms reach of the large figures for a closer look. And then afterwards, if it looks as if the boats have an internal section, they'll keep an eye out for points of egress)

Starting with the ship, your ravens quickly determine that the ship itself is empty, secured in is place by a heavy giant anchor. Its a relatively small.vessel for giants, with no interior room to house anything but cargo. Its clearly only meant for small journeys. On shore, they find there are currently three Frost Giants who appear alive with another three set off to the side who appear to have been slain in battle. Of the three surviving giants, one appears to be wounded and tied up. Unlike his brethren he is wearing plate armor. Upon his head appears to be a dragonskull repurposed to act as a helmet. On his armor you see the symbol of the Grey Hand, confirmed to be such by comparing it with the drawing you were given earlier. A bloody battle axe lays by his side. The other two giants, also wounded, look exhausted but appear to be loading up the rowboat with gear.

"Seems like we found our giant just in time. 'n consider'n they ain't simple executed'im, took his things, and left suggest he's either right pissed'em off enough fer some special execution or... he knows somethin' they be want'n to know." Narz comments after filling in the group all that his raven's spotted. Another command would see to it that the ravens take on standby positions on the ship to await further instructions, and for them to in the meantime continue pretending to be regular birds looking for foods or things of interest.

"In either case, I don't reckon we got too much time to palabra. So, we'll have to decide a course of action quick. Augrek. I, eh, seeing as -- as far as I can remember at this point -- you were s'pose to mostly act as our guide I won't fault ya for not sortie out with us. But if ya got a good way to signal us should ya spot the dragon or some other threat on approach, that be just as 'preciated." He asks of scout, before turning to the others. "As fer the rest of us, I can have my familiars out there try and distract'em as needed. 'cause a little opening mayham so those that need to get close can.... Or, I can also quicken one of ya if getting in the fray be your preferences. Make it so you can act with a bit more haste. Just would need to know which is preferred." He suggests. "The giants are fairly busted up, so we aughta be able to take'm. And if Claire here can mend our Grey Hand friend, all the better. Meanwhile, I can probably see to his bindings from afar with a bit of fire."

Zack agreed with Narz but also shot him a strange look, one brow lowered while the other was raised What in the bloody hells is a 'palabra'? being the first thing he asked, not to derail but that word made literally no sense to him. Like poor Narz had a stroke mid sentence! Or it could simply be a word he's yet to hear of! he's just a country boy afterall! though at his next point of inquiry: whether to keep the distraction or speed up an ally.. Well, the answer to that is obvious. The first half moreso.. You already have your birds out, so lets use em till you lose em. Once they're gone, pick myself, Claire or Natasha.. whichever you think will do the most damage and then use your other spell. So in the end, THAT choice is up to you. And I think you'll know who best to use it on. I trust ya, ya Dork. he said firmly, grabbing the mans shoulder and giving it a light squeeze.

However, I would like to try something first.. if you're willing to hear me out... I leave my sword here, and approach alone and I challenge the giant to a quick bout of arm wrestling... Maybe we don't even have to fight. I mean if I go up there and challenge their 'strength' they're gonna think they'll win through sheer size... and if nothing else... PRIDE will take over. As I'm doing this, you can take that time to sneak over in case things go south. Whatd'ya think? Been wanting to test out these muscles anyway! And if any of you have a way of giving me some magical edge.... 

he says with a wink.

So caught off guard by the question is Narz that all he could do afterwards for a while is just stand there staring at Zack with he most bewildered look about him. Then by the time he does regain his composure, the first word hardly leaves his mouth before the hobgoblin is taken aback again. 'Dork!? Why am I being called a whale's genital?'

But for better or worse, hardly a second is given to process that question before conversation returns to the more ser... to the more serious? Okay, after that LAST suggestion, Narz grabbed his wrist to check his own pulse, then with two fingers to his neck does the same thing, and THEN finally warily side-eyes the others just to briefly ascertain their own reactions before looking worriedly at Zack. "Aight, I'm gonna be honest with ya. I have a lot of questions now, but most aren't... appropriate at this juncture. And not to doubt yer strength, but I hope ya have an idea on how ya gonna prove yer strength from the get go. Somethin' to make'm serious considering it. 'cause I don't know about'cha, but if some goblin **** for instance walked up to an Ogre, claiming they can whoop it's ass, sure, the Ogre might find it amuse'n. But then all too likely they'll just smash'em with their club and be done with it over entertaining the challenge. So ya gonna need to be REALLY smooth with those words or have something nearby to prove yer strength a bit. And... I'd offer some magical assistance, but the only one that'a matter takes up too much focus, and lasts not nearly long enough fer ya to get down there. Not without me coming with ya."

"But if'n ya feel THAT confident then, well... so be it." Narz would turn again to the girls, or more pointedly to Claire and Natasha. "But what say you two. Gonna need to decide quick, as time ain't on our side."