High Level Epic 5E [IC]

[JNAProductions]

Spoiler: Time

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It's close to sunset. Maybe half an hour away, right now.

The woman looks over to you all. She steps so she's between you and the children, and asks "Why do you care? What brings you here?"

[miinstrel]

Hagard "Red Blade" Enorien Rogue 13 / Fighter 4 | AC 22 | HP 143/143 | PP 18 / PIns 12 / PInv 23 Teleportation was a sensation Hagard didn't miss from his former life, but it was hard to argue with its efficiency (even if it was occasionally off target). "Giants," the wood elf replies succinctly. "Brindalorn's a pile of debris - trying to get an idea where they've been and where they're going next. You heard anything?"

[JNAProductions]

She hesitates, looking back at the kids. She then turns to face you again, and sighs. "We've had a few refugees from there. We heard of what happened-but we don't know why. The giants were always peaceful before now-no one can remember a time when we were in conflict with them, not any serious conflict. But when it comes down to it... They're giant. We are not. If they decide to end us, there's nothing we can do. There haven't been any demands, no ultimatums or offers or anything. We're scared."

[Lioslaith]

Garrik snorts at her reply, smoke seeping from his nostrils. ”If they have made no efforts to contact anyone then our only choice seems to be to go talk with them in person.”

[miinstrel]

Hagard "Red Blade" Enorien Rogue 13 / Fighter 4 | AC 22 | HP 143/143 | PP 18 / PIns 12 / PInv 23 "How many villages are on Mount Iramel? Have you heard of attacks on any others besides Brindalorn?" Hagard questions.

[JNAProductions]

"We've not heard of any other attacks-not yet, at least," she replies. "But there's at least a half-dozen other small ones. Might be more-people move about."

[Toliudar]

Eugenia

Eugenia steps closer to speak with the woman.

"Thank you so much for your help. You mentioned that some of the refugees from Brindalorn are here. It would be very helpful to have a first-hand account of what happened there. Might you be able to direct us to where some of them are staying?"

[JNAProductions]

She nods, and gestures towards the largest home you've seen. "Some are staying with Elder McKinley. He's got the space, since his husband passed."

[Toliudar]

Eugenia

Eugenia reaches up to take the woman's hand.

"Thank you. Thank you so much! We'll do what we can to get to the bottom of this."

She glances around at her three colleagues.

"I think that we should start by speaking with those who were present for the first assault. What do you think?"

[Leostales]

"That sounds a wise idea." says Knotts. He hands the old woman a pouch of silver. "For your help. Please, I insist."

[JNAProductions]

"You sure?" she asks. When you indicate that you are quite sure, she takes the pouch, shaking her head. "Madness. But the good kind."

You head for McKinley's home, and knock on the door. There's a brief pause, then a young, haggard-looking man opens the door. "Is everything alright?" he asks. When you make known that you're simply gathering information to help with, and there is no present threat, he breathes a sigh of relief. "Okay... Okay. My name's Daniel-come in."

You follow him in as he leads you to a large dining room. No one else is there at the moment, but Daniel says "Let me get the rest-I'll be back in a moment." True to his word, he brings back a half-dozen others. Five of them are in a similar state to Daniel-worried, stressed, and clearly on edge. The last is an old man, with a magnificent salt-and-pepper beard, who appears much calmer.

The bearded man introduces himself. "I am Elder McKinley. You say you've come to help? How can we help you help us?"

[Toliudar]

Eugenia

Eugenia settles into a chair, opting to lean forward and allow her legs to swing freely.

"Thank you for allowing us in. We are investigating the destruction of Brindalorn a few weeks back, and what might have set the giants off on this rampage. It would be really important to learn what actually happened there. One of the other townsfolk here indicated that you had very kindly taken in several people who fled Brindalorn. Might we be able to ask them some questions?"

[Leostales]

Knotts gives Mckinley a respectful bow. "Thank you for your hospitality sir. My name is Knotts Tnomal. I was sorry to hear of your husband's passing." He takes a seat. "We hope to settle this giant situation peacefully," he explains. "But rest assured, we will settle it."

[JNAProductions]

"Not my decision to make. But if you do need to question them," McKinley says, "Be careful. They've not been sleeping easy, and the trauma is still weighing on them."

The group of survivors look away, as if ashamed of being the only ones left.

[Lioslaith]

Garrik moves closer to the survivors huddled together and squats down to speak with them. His armor creaks and groans as he does so but the group feels his aura of protection washing over them. Calming and soothing them. ”Before we start asking any questions are any of you hurt? Hungry or thirsty perhaps?” His eyes are kind and scan the individuals as he awaits an answer.

[JNAProductions]

They shake their heads, with a small chorus of "No"s.

"The Elder's a good host," Daniel says.

Spoiler: OOC

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Medicine check, from anyone who wants to make it, to see how they're doing without bias.

[Lioslaith]

Medicine check for Garrik

Spoiler: Medicine Check

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(1d20+5)[10]

[Leostales]

Knotts looks over them with his Elvish eyes. His eyes are more intense than Garrik's. There is anger in them, but it is not directed towards the townspeople. It is righteous indignation on their behalf.

Spoiler: Medicine check

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(1d20+1)[15]

[JNAProductions]

Spoiler: Medicine DC 5

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They seem fine physically, at least. A few visible bruises and scrapes, but nothing that'd really impact them.

Spoiler: DC 10

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One of them is walking a bit funny-she may not be fully aware of it, but she's got something messed up in her thigh.

Spoiler: DC 15

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Bodies aside, you know that they're probably dealing with some pretty significant mental wounds. Survivors' guilt is a hell of a thing.

[Toliudar]

Eugenia

Eugenia's eyes seek out the eldest of the refugees. Her voice is soft.

"To start with, it might be best for you to simply tell us what you remember about the day that the giants came. Take your time, and we can stop whenever you need to."

[miinstrel]

Hagard "Red Blade" Enorien Rogue 13 / Fighter 4 | AC 22 | HP 143/143 | PP 18 / PIns 12 / PInv 23 Hagard nods in agreement with Moskra's assurance of a swift resolution, though lets slip a small sigh at the coddling of the refugees. Even after all his years impatience still gripped his heart, though he holds his tongue, instead engaging McKinley while the others tended to the refugees. "Elder, is there anyone here who ranges farther into the mountains? Shepherds, scouts, or anyone else who knows the terrain and may have seen something beyond the town's edge? No need for them to join us, but we're not keen on stumbling into the giants' home unawares."

[JNAProductions]

McKinley shakes his head. "The mountainous terrain makes it impractical to go towards the giants for much. We have some shepherds, but they're in the opposite direction-and thank the gods for that."

While the Elder quietly informs Hagard, the survivors recount their tale. They tell you that it started in the dead of night-the giants came, laughing to themselves. A few went to meet them-and were crushed beneath their feet. The giants tore the down the homes, some escaping, some not as fortunate. But there were too many, and they were too strong.

The survivors do note that others might've survived-they didn't see all the bodies or anything. But they've not seen any signs of anyone else having made it.

[Leostales]

Knotts looks at Eugenia. "We don't have to leave yet, but when we do, do you think it would be wise to look for survivors in the ruins? Or should we go straight to the giants?" he asks her in a low voice.

[Lioslaith]

"We can travel through the ruins to get to the giants. Kill two gnolls with one arrow."

[miinstrel]

Hagard "Red Blade" Enorien Rogue 13 / Fighter 4 | AC 22 | HP 143/143 | PP 18 / PIns 12 / PInv 23 "Was two weeks ago... unless they got trapped with some food..." he lets the thought hang. "Eugenia, ain't you already been through what's left of the town? You dig through things while you were there?"

[Toliudar]

Eugenia

Eugenia flinches slightly at the use of her real name, but mentally shrugs and moves on.

"We were there shortly after. We didn't stay to excavate - focused on making sure that the other towns hadn't suffered the same fate. At the time, we didn't even know how recently it had happened."

Considering the possibility for the first time that her choice might have left people trapped and dying is clearly ovewhelming for Eugenia. She slides back in her chair, lost in thought.

[Leostales]

"I'm willing to search for survivors," says Knotts. "If we only find dead bodies, then we can at least give them a proper burial. However, this giant situation sounds quite volatile. If we do take time to search the ruins, we must make haste."

[miinstrel]

Hagard grunts in agreement. "Who knows what other clues we might dig up too."

[Lioslaith]

"It seems we are ready to go then, yes?"

[Toliudar]

Eugenia

Sensing that they were reaching the end of this particular Eugenia reconnects with the survivors who have shared their story.

"Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. We will try to be worthy."

She slides off of her chair.