Torsus shouts back I had no intention of dallying. But regardless of skill, we should sever its head atleast, and see if we can turn some profit from it. I'm sure some obscure alchemy needs a 'hound fang' or somesuch. Or if the head is too thick, lop its feet off at the ankles. As well as the tail. You'd be surprised how random animal parts seem to sell to the right person. And if we do not find anyone in a few days we toss it before it begins to rot.

Artys goes to examine the rod that was dropped.

The rod is made of a hard, jet black metal, 4 feet long and weighing 100lbs. The rod has two prongs at one end and a molded handle grip on the other. However that is all you can tell about the object from a cursory inspection.

"Hmn. Fair enough. Though I yet remain doubtful any alchemist may find much use for such things you describe. At least nothing beyond the blood, which is bound to spoil before we find the right buyer. But the rest might peek the itnerest at least of atrinket or trophy keeper all the same, eh?" He called back to Torsus.

"Might any of you have a good bla-... Sir Artys? What do you have there?" With an absent-minded nudging, Vigo carries Narz on over to the paladin and rod. "Well would'ja look at that rather fanciful looking thing. I'd like to study it further, if albeit away from here. So if you would do me the kindess of putting it in this here bag here, we can see just about that, yea?" Narz holds his bag of holding open and out to Artys should it look feasible to store the rod away. Although if not, he just as happily leaves it in Artys care until it could be perhaps Identified later.

With the loot secured you all continue along your journey, eager to get to the next town to rest before nightfall. It doesn't take too long before you start seeing the many cattle ranches that place Beliard on the map, or what remains of them. Many ranches appear damaged or destroyed and there seem to be few cattle roaming about. As you approach the middle of town you see it has been relatively untouched but whatever destruction befell the ranches and there is more activity here as townsfolk go about their buisness. You approach the stables and Inn, the Watchful Knight, and get your mounts settled before heading inside. As you enter you see a parchment nailed to the door that reads "ADVENTURERS WANTED! 500 GOLD REWARD! INQUIRE WITH FREYDA WITHIN!"

Torsus would, if no one else did, claim atleast some claws and fangs with or without help (enough EB's at a joint and a leg could be broken!) and would carry them himself. 

Later, when at the inn, upon seeing the parchment, Torsus' eyes light up. He's been seeking to refill his dusty coffers, as he's been a spendthrift lately it seemed, and he was hardly above a pauper. Well I'm sure once we get a nights rest, we could deal with whatever problem they have... epsecially if it involves our main goal. Let us inquire what all the hubbub is about, I'm sure we'll find something useful. And I'll admit, I could use the money. he says, with shrugging candor.

Artys places the rod in the bag and then follows the rest. Seeing the reward he nods. "I am never adverse to earning some gold."

Narz had certainly all but forgotten about the hound upon receiving the weighty hunk of metal. But rather let Vigo handle following along after the others while he pondered the many possibilities or perhaps even secrets held with their new prize upon further investigations!

Thus thoroughly occupied for however long remained for their trip, the hobgoblin had still been largely just going through the motions of necessary actions once the group entered the town, still occasionally muttering under his breath the odd calculations. But with continued mentioning of gold and goals, he grumbles and FINALLY appeared truly attentive of their surroundings. "I, uh -- what's going on?" He asked, only to then note the parchment and squint at it a bit. 

"Ah... yes, I see... hm.... Well, it wouldn't hurt to find out more. After all, we can always do with getting a lay of the land, eh? Saved us already having to waste time on that dead end before." At that, Narz walked inside the Inn to see what there was to see.

Heading inside the few patrons having an evening drink give you a passing glance before going back to their cups. The waitress at the bar passes out a few drinks before shouting Welcome to the Watchful Knight, what can I do ye for?

Narz quirked a brow and looked wary, then nodded and put on a faint smile. "Apart from a round of food and drink and maybe a table, pretell. What do know of Freyda and her offer out front. While I hesitate to consider my band necessarily adventurers, the reward had tickled our fancies you see, eh?" He asked politely and hands folded behind his back. "And safe to assume it might have anything to do with the recent giant troubles perhaps?"

The woman nods her head and pours out a few mugs worth of drinks. Aye, food will be right out. As for Freyda, well thats me, and aye it involves the giants. You may have seen some of the damage coming through town. Attacks seem to come at random but every attack is the same. The giants make noise and scare off the villagers before making off with the livestock. This town lives and dies by its livestock and at the rate this is going the town won't last long. Villagers and I pooled our coin together. If ye can find the giants lair we'll pay ya, reward is 500 gold. 

Torsus hrmm'd and put his fingers on his chin, thinking the behavior odd. That seems a bit too intelligent for what we've seen already. Either it is a smarter one of those we've faced, or it is a different variety entirely. he said, rubbing the area where the previous giant had injured him before discovering what gravity felt like. They don't seem to want to harm the townsfolk - or atleast not directly. So tell me, do you know what direction the giants come from atleast? or if not, what direction the sound comes from? I'm sure someone has heard it and been able to identify atleast that much, as 'tis natural to turn ones head towards a sound once heard.

Artys nods at Torsus' observation about the intelligence. "An estimate of their numbers would also be handy. We have skills but a good number of giants will always pose a challenge."

"On that much I would have to agree, Sir Artys. We dodged being overwhelmed once more a time back -- back before you were with us, that is. Or so I wager at least." Narz comments while absently rubbing his chin and appearing to study the contents of his drink. The hobgoblin eventually downs most of its contents without much further thought before long. "Mm... Though, I wouldn't mistake their lack of desire to do harm to the people as genuine mercy, and more out of practical notions -- But yes. Can anyone describe the giants as well? As in, were they red and ruddy, a bit of blue of skin, or something closer to Ogres. Someone surely had to been brave enough or unfortunate enough to hide close enough at hand to see them, eh?"

Freyda nods and says Aye, I can answer all them questions easy enough as we've all had time to see them a plenty. Giants are a ogre looking type. Big fat bastards that seem a few boards short of a barn if ye get me meaning. Last raid there was four of the bastards though a few weeks back there was a fifth with 'em.  Most folk who've seen 'em leaving said they've been heading south.

Before 'digging in' to whatever was already available, Torsus restated the obvious if only for clarity. So atleast four, and coming from the south. Potentially a leader joined them in more recent forays.. But that is part of what I prepared my spell for. he said, sighing at how difficult it had been (in his mind) to complete such a simple task. Though he assumed it was his patrons way of punishing him for his ability to block them. For powerful though they may be, between all the shields between Toril and their planes, and the final protection he gave himself.... as well as only allowing the 'gate' to open during combat and even then, only breifly was how he kept himself... himself.

That should pose no trouble, we've taken care of much larger forces already, in much more diverse situations. Just make us a fine meal tonight, and let us enjoy some rest, and though I do not speak for our group, I am sure we are all agree'd that beginning just after breakfast in the morning would be most beneficial. Assuming they don't make a visit tonight, that is.

Narz cannot help but nod absently in agreement with Torsus at some points; and yet, his expression remained thoughtful and even a bit grim for a while after. "It would be in the opposite direction of where we're headed, but it would be hard to collect our coin without returning here anyhow, eh? Not to mention we can use another warm up for our ventures ahead, as that last fight with the fire giant -- dangerous though it was -- hardly served us well in shaking off the lethargy of our forced winter's break." He mentions as much, all but tacitly agreeing to the plan. However, his words spoke volumes in their own way. He then looks the rest to gauge their own reactions, appearing himself more curious than concern of a rejection to the detour. 

Fire Giant eh? Well, seems we did get lucky having you take the job then. I'll have meals for ya shortly, on the house. Beds will still be a silver a night plus a silver to stable an animal.

The innkeeper ensures you're all well fed with hearty meal and drinks and you manage to surprisingly get a good night's rest as there's little activity overnight in the quiet village. In the morning you manage a quick breakfast before heading south to try and pick up the giants trail. (Survival checks from anyone who'd like to track)

Survival: 9

Ser Artys begins the tracking, taking advantage of the knowledge that his many days hunting and hawking on his family lands have given him.

No matter the creature comforts provided Narz remained a hobgoblin of the prime material at his core. As none of the usual security measures are left to the way side. In fact after the whole incident with a vampire, there's little rest for Spaz that night at the very least. Not without doing at least an hour's watch of the ground's itself well after the others hand gone to bed. Much to the feline's chagrin. 

It is with genuine relief the hobgoblin awoke the next day to not needing to burn down another Inn. So much so, short of breakfast being on the house, he even gladly paid for the morning meal before the group set out following Freyda's request. Along the way Narz would fill in everyone on what he knew or learned of Ogres and their given kinship to true giants. Of which, there hadn't been much to truly pass along apart from their being used as mobile siege weapons and mounts for far smaller individuals in times of great conflict. Neither of which he expected the group to come across, and he'd convey as much. Yet that hadn't stopped him from offering a few words of caution all the same on the off chance reports had been grossly understated.

What Narz knew was lacking on a personal level despite the harsh training of his people, the hobgoblin made a point of assisting as the time came through a liberal use of conjuration magic. Thus it was when the time came for it that he'd summon a pair of hawks to expand their search radius and keep an eye out for potential treats. Spaz stays dutifully at the hobgoblin's side, and appeared at times to guide the oft times distracted hobgoblin, what with the others actively sharing their senses with the goblinoid. 

(tldr: Casted Flock of Familiars to provide both the help action for any ongoing survival checks over an hour for the most part. Not that Artys needed it apparently!)