Storm King's Thunder

"Admirable... might I suggest, however, that knowing 'why' will likely further our shared goal of stopping the threat," retorts the equally proud elf.

"Stronger is the blade guided by knowledge of the enemy."

Marav appears out of the bushes, motioning for everyone to be quiet. 

"I will assume by the fact that the lady isn't trying to kill us that she is friendly. Good, we will need the help. I scouted ahead and found that there are four giants currently in the town. I am not sure what they are doing. They appear to be burying something with no rhyme or reason. I didn't see the number of dead bodies I would expect. Did someone help the villagers? I found only a single dead body." Marav looks at Rip, "It was a man, not your children." Marav describes the scene in detail and the dead body he found.

"Four of them is gonna be tough, I could try and lead a couple of them away, but that didn't work out as well last time as I had hoped."

The knight had halfway drawn her sword when Marav came out of hiding. "This is one of yours?" She asks warily to the rest of you.

“Yeah. This is our Druid and scout. He was after some herbs as well as a little bit of scouting it seems.” Angel answers

Sheathing her sword, the knight addresses Marav. "Excuse me for assuming the worst of you," she apologizes with a short bow. "I am Lady Harriana Hawkwinter, and I am on a quest to track down the vicious giants who despoil out land and put an end to them."

Marav looks at Angel, "It's just that you guys are so slow in the forest, I had time. By the way, don't go that way, there are some ogres over there." He indicates the direction of the ogres.

He turns to the knight, "Well then you should always travel with us, giants try to kill us all the time." He looks at her sword, "Nice sword there. Let's put it to work shall we?"

Is Rip able to identify the body based on Maravs description?

Quote from Gimpster >>

Is Rip able to identify the body based on Maravs description?

"FOUR giants? What kind? Perhaps we should consider scouting out some more information on them and perhaps find a way to scatter them before we consider taking them on headlong...."

"Stone giants, my good lad. Were we not just discussing this? It seems simple enough: we shall flank them. Some of you seem the magic type; do you have spells that will protect you from the giants' rocks? I do know they enjoy throwing them. Once you distract them and defend yourselves with your magic, the others of us shall seize the initiative and cut them down where they stand!"

"Marav did not say stone giants - and given we felled a fire giant not too far away from here, it's prudent to request clarification... lest we go in inadequately prepared.  Distraction and defense are fine plans, but four giants are still four giants - these are not simple hill giants. Stone giants are highly intelligent, and although not as tactical as their fire giant cousins, they are not to be trifled with. ... I still think that we should consider reasoning with them - stone giants tend to be more... balanced." Looking at Rip's direction, Ink continues, "The actors of this injustice should be punished - but we need to discover what is instigating the giants to behave so out of character."

As Ink is saying this, he raises his component pouch and starts tracing a symbol on his chest, after his last work to Lady Hawkwinter, he utters a quick enchantment - it is followed by a reverberation of magical energy covering Ink.

// mage armor has been cast... //

Ink, rip and angel have aid

"So we kill all but one, and question it?" The knight queries. "A devious plan. Let's get on with it!"

"I..." Ink starts, but then just shakes his head and remains silent. He looks to Flint, nods and says, "I defer to your lead."

"I..." Ink starts, but then just shakes his head and remains silent. He looks to Flint, nods and says, "I defer to your lead."

Duplicate post. Sorry. 

"Let's just stop these giants. Pincer I assume. I'll be upfront with Marav and Flint. Rip and Ink are in the back slinging spells." Angel says.

"You're speaking my language, Initiate Angel!" The knight smiles. "Onward for glory! I'll see you all there—look for me near the old oak outside of town. I'll try and get a read on the giants and their movements." 

She begins to ride off.

"A knight on a horse is charging into town to get a read of the situation? I hope that horse is wearing Horseshoes of Silence."

When we approach Ink will attempt to Stealth and look for a wall for cover.

// Stealth 9 //

Ink tells his compatriots, "I'm going to try and use message to bluff the giants. Let's see what happens when one of them thinks that Amman All-Father is speaking to her or him."

"Hold  Lady  Hawkwinter.... ah'm not ready ta  assume we got a fight ahead o' us, just preparin' fer  it. Stay with us, we'll assess th' situation an' respond as needed, like we always do."

As you approach the little village, the road cuts through a rise in the countryside. Lady Hawkwinter waits by this rise, which shields the rest of the hamlet from view. A large, leafless oak tree grows from the ground north of the rise.

If you peek over the rise, you'll see that the village itself has been completely flattened. There are no walls left standing, and four giants are currently scattering the debris. They are spaced out, about 200-500 feet from where you are. The closest one seems to be stomping the wooden remains of a house further into smithereens, just for good measure.