| Session Date | January 04, 2020 |
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| Base XP Gained | Carry Over |
The next dawned very wet, grey, dreary, and miserable. After a fine breakfast courtesy of Manston, the party made their way to the Elven enclosure across town. The place was enclosed by a tall wall as smooth as glass with a single gate. They knocked and an Elf sentry opened a small port to speak with them. He would not admit them, despite the party's many pleas. He seemed sorry to disappoint them, and acted as if he would let them in if he could, but insisted that this was Elven territory and only those allowed into the Elf Kingdom or invited to enter were allowed. Dropping Alcibard's name and showing thier Dwarven badges of rank did nothing to change his mind; indeed, the the elf guard pointed out that official communications between the two kingdoms went through other channels, not through this small contingent (which seemed to act as a consulate of sorts).
The party gave up and moved on to the residence of Fistarius, the noble they'd met at Alcibard's and whose funeral they'd seen. The majordomo of the house proved to be most helpful, though a little reluctant for the party to enter. He told them that his master had died suddenly and from an unknown cause shortly after Alcibard's entertainment. When they went to bring his body to the Temple of Maladominus, his wife had become very strange and wandered off. It was some time before she was found wandering back streets of the town, inquiring at random doors for her husband, or if a given house was where she lived. She had been found a few hours later and escorted home. She seemed physically ok but very addled, and was in bed resting. Iban suggested entering to look for evil influences, without disturbing the lady, and the servant acquiesced (he seemed to be impressed that the party had the attention of the nobles and the city government). Iban cast detect evil but found nothing. The party thanked the servant and departed.
back out in the drizzling rain, the party noticed they were being watched by a man at a nearby corner.. Cadwaladyr became invisible and flew up and around, noting two different groups seemingly waiting in ambush for the party. he reported this to the others and they decided to use a wand of illusion to make an illusion of the party walking to the west as they followed behind invisible. This worked, as a lone man moved against the fake party and realized his error when he accosted the unresponsive party and the illusion vanished. Iban cast sleep and one man fell, but he was quickly grabbed by two others. However, a second sleep spell dropped one of those. The third, awake man dropped both and fled. The two sleeping figures were dragged to Alcibard's house nearby.
Alcibard seemed busy but as willing to listen to the party's report and remained to witness a brief interrogation (under ESP) by the party. between the two men they learned that one Edmund had hired them as local muscle to harass, rob, and "rough up" the party. All were members of the Thieves' Guild, though they did not know why the guild would want to bother them. They were also able to learn the approximate location of the guildhall and the name of a tavern where Edmund liked to hang out. Alcibard seemed unconcerned by all of this and seemed happy when they left (ESP revealed that he was concerned with commanding the militia).
The party now headed back to the other side of town, stopping briefly to hand over their two prisoners to the constables at the New gate which divided the city in two. They were "known petty criminals" and the guards said they'd take care of them. The party asked directions and soon came to the tavern frequented by Edmund. As they entered, Cadwaladyr wizard locked the front door. Inside it was not very busy (it was only late morning), but they quickly spotted Edmund. Within a few minutes he seemed to realize the party was there for him and he tried to flee, only to run into the wizard locked door. He then tried to flee through the kitchen but was pursued by Iban. He tried to knife him, but failed, and the much greater strength of Iban soon had him cowed.
From him, again under ESP, they learned that the Guildmistress, Ravenna, had ordered the attack. He did not know why but insisted they were not trying to kill the party and certainly had no idea they were so powerful. The party demanded to meet with Ravenna and Edmund said he could arrange it if they let him go. Iban quickly penned a letter and sealed it, demanding that Ravenna meet them in the Temple of Maladominus in an hour. Edmund said he would deliver it immediately, and the party let him go.
An hour later, the party came to the temple, where a midday service was occurring. They entered and sat near the back. After a few minutes, a voice from behind asked what they wished to speak about. A cloaked and shadowy woman had somehow gotten behind them without being noticed. She was, she said, the guildmistress. She had no particular animus against the party but had been paid well to harass and impede their activities in the town. It was nothing personal! She was unsure of who had hired her and when the party said it was likely spies of the giant king, she claimed that she had no loyalty to him or his. Indeed, she claimed to be a patriot, more interested in the defense of Manston than undermining it. Her guild would likely fare poorly under his rule, she said. Things were hard enough for her folk, she said, given the power of the Traders' Guild who kept her own guild quite weak, unlike other cities to the west. The party asked if there were ratmen among her guild and she seemed disgusted by the idea - no, her Guild would not permit them to be members, though it was well known some ratmen were in the town. She was intrigued to know that the party thought they might be working with the Giant King and said she would look into it and provide them with information she might obtain. In the meantime, she would order her folk to leave the party be, as they clearly were interested in the town's defense. She said that, in this instance, she and the party had similar interests and would be sure to aid them if she could. With that, she slipped out and vanished in the crowd as it dispersed.
The party headed out, too, only to hear the sounds of horns and excitement throughout the town. The activity seemed to be focused towards the main (Lormyrr) gate so the party went thither. They found the gate had been closed and barred (it was normally open during daylight). Outside, a party of giants had arrived, led by the Frost Giant Jarl Vostok, the same emissary the party had seen in the Dwarf Kingdom the previous summer. He haughtily demanded entrance to the city and an audience with the Lord Mayor. The constables did not permit entry until the arrival of the Chief Constable; Iban asked him to continue to delay entry for a short time to set the right tone. He was not terribly helpful in that regard and ordered the gates opened.
In came Vostok alone, as the city guards only wished the emissary to enter. Vostok saw the party almost immediately and denounced them as spies of the Dwarf King, but the escorts did not allow him to continue talking and led him on. Before the citadel, Mayor Crinsdale was waiting (seeming nervous). Vostok presented the same ultimatum as he had done previously, submit or war. The Mayor simply responded that he did not wish war, but would not submit his town to the Giant King. Vostok responded, "then, in the name of Gulliveig, King of the Blueflood, I declare war upon Manston and its associated territories." With that, the Frost Giant turned and left the way he'd come. Upon exiting the city, his party (a score of giants and some other creatures), turned and marched off, back down the Dwarf Road.
The city fell into an uproar, as people rushed into the streets in an almost celebratory air. Clearly, they did not really get what was coming but were relieved that doubt had been removed, at least for the the time being. The party returned to their residence, from which Cadwaladyr teleported to the Kazakh to report what had occurred to Nali. Their Dwarf patron reminded them that they still did not know the intents and strength of the Giant King. Cadwaladyr acknowledged and returned to the party.
The next day, the party decided to conduct a second scouting mission. Because of the foul, wet weather, Iban suggested using one of the dwarf wagons with faster horses to travel on (so he could use Leomund's Tiny Hut). Floi, Nali's brother, said he would dive the wagon and the party concurred. They left a few hours after dawn, heading straight down the Dwarf Road and stopping in the afternoon at the Gray Haven Inn for the night. The innsfolk told them that the Giants had passed through without stopping, to be followed by a message rider hurrying through the lands to alert the towns and villages that war was declared. Next day, the party rode on to Durnbridge where they heard much the same thing. That night, the party scried Vostok, finding him within a log structure of great size, speaking with other giants.
The following day, the party left the wagon at the Old Bidge Inn and rode out into the wet dreary weather, heading west of the Dwarf Road. Near the base of the hills southwest of Durnbridge, they tethered their horses and proceeded afoot towards the woods where they believed the enemy lay encamped. But, they soon found a huge, wooden hall, likely the structure they'd learned of recently. Smoke poured from many chimneys, though there were no windows. From outside, Iban scried Vostok once more, this time with clairvoyance in effect. The Frost Giant was at a great table, apparently feasting with a number of other giants. He was saying that the war would be most profitable for them all, and they all seemed most eager to begin it. They did not, however, speak of any specific plans or intentions. After a few minutes, the giant seemed to detect the scrying and Iban cut it off. ZZ now cast divination on the hall and the camp they knew was nearby. For the hall, his god told him that there would be MUCH treasure, many monsters, and little supernatural danger. For the camp, there would be little treasure, many monsters, and little in the way of supernatural danger.
Cadwaladyr now became invisible and, with a potion of fire resistance, began to fly in and out of chimneys into the hall. Most areas seemed deserted except the kitchen, which was exceptionally busy with giantesses and ogres at work. From everywhere, he could hear the dull sounds of feasting and merrymaking. Clearly, the giants were busily feasting their new war. He flew out and report ed this to his fellows...