Storm King's Thunder

Don just shrugs at th cultist, "I'm still pretty new to the group. I think I get the general gist of what he means... sometimes. Though I clearly misread the entire cleanse weapon event."

To all, in response, Ink repeats, "I did mention that they were a respectable family, correct? They have protected this road for sometime, truth is, they likely have nothing to fear from us."

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To Delsephine, Ink whispers, "Scar tissue from an attack he took, I'm sure of it."

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Ink, seeing the approaching soldiers, displays his official livery from Silverymoon, that he had on him when he first left the Gem of the North on his mission. He stands in support behind Flint, allowing him to take the lead with his fellows of the Order. 

// wrong order, that was angel and crownsguard  I think. //

Flint climbs down from the ship and hails the patrol, holding his Warhammer in his shield hand and keeping his weapon hand free. "Well met, friends. We're 'ere ta meet wit' Ser Zymovren. Be ye in his employ?"

“Nay, brother,” says the dwarf, saluting Flint and even nodding respectfully to Ink. “We’re of Hawk’s Nest, up Silvery Moon Pass. Lord Cavilos has been sending patrols up this way for some months, soon as we got wind of giants marauding. We are just heading up to Zymorven to exchange reports and take a lunch.”

"We were on our way to meet the lord of the manor, as well. We were directed to him through a mutual friend. With that said, if you don't mind allowing us to tag along with you, we would appreciate the introduction as it seems you know your way around here already," Ink responds. 

Ink smiles and as he does he gives them a once over to make sure that their livery makes sense or for any signs of double dealings.

He then continues, "What sort of giant activity have you been noting up here? South of the Evermoors stone giants have been flattening entire settlements - they seem to be only concerned with destroying the structures of the settlements... It's very odd. We've also been running into fire giants all over the north it seems."

“No need,” says a rich, deep voice from the front gate. “Harthos Zymorven, lord of this hall. How can I be of service?”

The soldiers on horseback give a formal salute to the middle-aged man, who rides a graceful white horse with the panache of an old military commander. His style and fashion is that of Silverymoon’s elite.

If you permit, Lord Zymorven will lead you up the path, which winds up steeply through several gates and switchbacks on its way to the keep.

(You are free to make Perception checks, if you so choose, either about Zymorven or the soldiers you encountered)

On your way up, one of the human soldiers will reply belatedly to Ink, “Lots of the same up here—giants of all sorts are raiding, pillaging, demolishing. It’s bad. Most of the time they avoid altercations with us smaller folk...if we run, they rarely give chase. So we’ve taught villagers to just run if they approach, or else they’ll start throwing rocks to scare you off. Better to run without flying boulders to contend with, I say.”

The other human soldier, and the dwarf, nod sagely at the advice.

Zymorven will ultimately escort you and the soldiers into his hall, where a simple but hearty meal has been prepared. Quiet music echoes throughout the stone keep. At any point that you wish to present your requests, you are met with interest and enthusiasm by Lord Zymorven.

 // Perception Check on the soldiers 13 //

Once they're a bit out of earshot from most, Ink explains to Lord Zymorven, "Urgala Meltimer, of Triboar, sent us to your doorstep. We were there when the fire giants attacked. We did what we could, but the settlement took much damage. We were each on different missions, but have found ourselves now, as one, against the giants. We think we are making headway. We've aligned ourselves with Harshnag of Waterdeep and have spoken to the oracle of the giant's god. We are to restore the Ordning (Ink will explain what that is should he not know). Along the way, we may have to put down some giants that do not agree with our mission - it's with this last bit that Urgala mentioned you might be able to help... That you have a tool or weapon that is particularly effective when used against giants."

Ink doesn't seem to see anything amiss with these soldiers.

Hawk's Nest is a well-fortified bastion in the area , apparently now under the protection of the Order of the Gauntlet, which would make sense with the number of Knights you've around seen sporting the crest. These low-ranking members arrived on horseback, but you hear them talking excitedly amongst each other about earning their "hippogriff mounts." 

One thing you all notice as you walk up to the keep, and through some of it, is a total lack of any sort of guards to defend the keep. In fact, the staff here in general seems very lean—a single kitchen worker is putting out the food, while a musician plays and sings somewhere nearby. 

Meanwhile, Lord Harthos Zymorven, seated at the far end of the table in the keep's hall, engages with Ink, keeping his voice low to match. 

"That sounds like a mighty quest indeed. And I wish I could help you directly, but I can only point you in what I believe is the right direction." Zymorven's face grows sad, and darkens a little, as he continues. "My son Harthal and I had a falling out a while back. He stole my giant slayer when he left. I suppose I am to share some of the blame...he committed this act only after I disowned him for marrying a common thief from Yartar."

Zymorven takes a drink of his wine chalice, and finishes, downcast, "Harthal left for Yartar with the girl about this time last year. What he did with the sword after that, I can only imagine."

"So the sword is lost, unless of course you want us to take it from him," Don laughs wryly at this. "You are giving the villagers good advice by the way. Those giants are not for the common folk."

Flint glances to Ink and Matrix then turns his attention back to Harthos. "Yartar ye say....if we was ta retrieve it, would ye allow us ta carry it on our quest? Would ye be willin ta provide us wit' a writ statin', yer ownership an' a charter statin' we can remove it? Also we'd need a very good description o' the item. "

"I have a contact in Yartar that has some connections with the less reputable citizens, I could ask her to look into it for us. Also in this time of turmoil and giants, maybe you should reconsider your stance on his marital decisions."

// OOC SUPER DUPER RETCON //

Since leaving Mirabar, on evenings he has SENDING prepared, and he hasn't burnt out all his third level slots either on other uses, which likely amounts to every few days, he uses SENDING to reach out to Arene in Yartar.... Mostly small talk, descriptions of sunsets over the mountains from the airship, and many questions made to her about her, shallow, deep and in between. 

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Ink asks Zymorven, "I noticed that there's not much in the way of house guards here. Out on an open road with not much in either direction, yet you are still here safe and sound - I'm assuming you have something besides humanoid guards keeping an eye on your keep. Magic? Friendly locals? Don't feel obliged to tell, I was only curious."

After hearing his story, and the others, Ink chimes in, "I agree with most of my compatriots - an official writ would be nice, if only to keep us out of jail for theft, and, seems that both you and your son were stubborn... You should not have disowned him. He is your son, I'm sure you raised him well enough to earn your trust. I understand having to conform to certain familial and societal expectations, but sometimes those rules should be broken. If we find him is there any message you'd like us to convey to him?"

Ink, in conversation, also asks him about Iymrith and dark steel. 

"Ye can be sure we're not 'ere ta admonish ye in yer own hall. Much th' same might'a happened in a Dwarven family other than th' theft o' th' sword. Honor be ta family, hold an' clan. Ah can see ye did'na like it but that ye got station an that's that. What would ye want done if we're ta find 'im?"

Ink's correspondent in Yartar, Arene, is at first extremely surprised and suspicious when Ink first reaches out, but over time she grows more accustomed, and even sounds happy to hear from him. When Ink asks the deep questions, though, she tends towards the shallow end. Arene has also taken to calling Ink "Big Hero," a term of endearment that she uses aplenty.  

 Lord Zymorven smiles mischeviously at Ink's questioning of his defensive power. "Now, that would be telling!" He says richly. "But I can assure you, we aren't wanting for defenses."

To Flint, he replies, "Of course! You would be more than welcome to use it; I believe in the righteous quest to end the giant menace, and your reputation precedes you, at least in these parts."

// Both Ink and Matrix please make a Charisma (Persuasion) check on the matter of the disowned son, with advantage due to Flint's mollifying words. //

Ink's persuasion check with advantage.... 19 

persuasion 17

"I don't mean to tell you how to handle your business, but as one who has lost family I can assure you it's not worth losing your son over. Unless he is an absolute jacka.... Aherm, unscrupulous person. As I haven't met him I cant judge."

"If we bring it to the magistrate before we start looking it would still help us get permission to act in the city. Helps as my associate said 'keep us out of jail'" Matrix in his element in a way