The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

You head back to the cave where you met the giants;  it requires a night's rest along the trail.  Your rest is not interrupted, so although you take turns keeping watch, the night passes peacefully and you wake having completed a long rest.

The following morning, on the way back, you pass near to the ruined watchtower where Balassar had a spell cast upon him.  Do you want to approach it, or give it a wide berth?

Balassar will look at them and hold up his hand “If you don’t mind. I’d like to solve what happened that night.” He says looking at the rest of them.

Silent unbuckles the giant-touched handaxe from his belt. Right, the talkin' bush. I'm with you, let's check it out. What was that story Alton told? Maybe you're gonna be a king if we can figure this out. 

You stand before the ruins of the tower; it looks unchanged from the last time you were here, other than that you're here in the middle of the day and the tower is well lit and less mysterious looking, perhaps.  It is still a fascinating piece of architecture, in a style you do not really recognise, and though it clearly was four or more storeys in the past, only the ground floor really survives intact, though a first floor is accessible.

What would you like to do?

Silent gestures to Balassar. You take point on this one, mate. 

Balassar just nods as he begins to lead the group to the area that he reminds the event occurring in. He just looks around "I'm back and brought friends this time. Show yourself."

No response.

Alton starts poking around the area looking for signs of anyone else having been here.

Investigation: 3

rerolling for halfing luck: 21

Is Alton looking inside the tower, or just around it?

Just around it.

Alton, you survey the area around the tower, the bushes and trees and boulders.  And you find tracks - your own of course, but more.  At least four other sets of boots, very recent, coming and going from the tower.  There doesn't appear to have been any attempt to conceal them.  You don't find any dropped items or anything else to indicate who they were or what they were doing here.

Balassar just looks around “Maybe we should just start a fire and smoke them out.”

Alton makes his way to Balassar, "I found some trax that aren't ours. I think there are a few of them too."

Balassar just nods “Lead the way then.”

Alton shows Balassar where he found the tracks.

Balassar, the tracks lead to and from the tower doorway; you're not able to determine much more about them than Alton did already.  They lead away from the tower, seemingly along the trail towards the village of Rilt.

Balassar just looks at Alton, Silent and Wash just giving a sigh "Guess we should just go." he says beginning to head back to the village.

Silent follows Balassar, not stowing his weapon and trying to keep a sharp eye out for any abrupt changes in the tracks or any other signs of life as they walk. 

You retrace your steps, headed back towards the cave where you encountered the giants.  It's not clear where, but at some point any traces of those who were in the tower disappear; they must have diverged from your route, but you can't say for sure where this happened or which direction they took.

It's the early afternoon as you approach the giants' new cave, and find both the elder and the younger sitting outside, tracing runes or writing on the rocks at the cave mouth.  The younger smiles slowly as you come closer; the elder gives Balassar a considering look and then returns to her writings.