Out of Favor, Out of Town

Hear thru the rumor mill that the Cuthbertians moved Pell out of town. Mayor has hired mercenaries to supplement the town guard. They may be of questionable qualities. A few weeks have passed since we recovered the four wands. Jenya comes to our inn one night and reports they have communed with Snorri’s spirit and he wishes to stay dead. He wants his remains and gear returned to his family. Mountains well north from here. Jian and Leena doing research on a possible strength item. A merchant stays at our inn and reports that trade routes north being restored. Still dangerous for single travelers. He is a human Dervish. He is going to visit Cauldron before traveling north. He offers to escort us as far north as Port Tortuli. About a sixty day trip. We accept his offer. Take our mounts. During the trip, Aerrion trains with him in the way of the Dervishes. No incidents of note during the trip. We wind up in Manmerg, a free city. The next destination is Istavin. Debate barge vs overland. Stay in a small inn in Manmerg. I shop around and find a quality cross-bow for Elwin and a pair of scimitars for Aerrion. Decide to take the barges. A ten day rather boring trip. Once there, have to decide between the hill side or the wood side. Hill side has spotty wood supply for fires and populated by hill folk, knolls, giants etc. Wood side inhabited by wild elves and Sea Prince raiders. Vote for the hill side. Dropped in a small hamlet, Yeomanry, north of a marsh. Ride north. Spot a group across the river traveling south.

On the fifth day of riding, still going north. Open plain, river to right, light trees to left. I spot turned earth and leaves ahead. While checking it out, hear sounds of bows being drawn. Surprise attack. Ogres and Knolls. Kill them after a brief but vicious fight. Scout around. Think they may have seen us a day away. Heal up and resume traveling. Camp. Third watch, skittish horses. Gracie hears a rumbling noise behind her in camp. Two large zombie type monsters, resembling Umber Hulks. Much spell fire later, they are down. Piercing weapons mostly ineffective. Dubious and Aerrion cut into the remains looking for gems. Jian hears something large approaching. A giant something. Prepare and engage. A Hill Giant. A brief battle. Dubious grapples with it and against all odds, manages to knock in unconscious. We tie it up and once it wakes up, lead it toward Longspear, a nearby town. We don’t bother resting first. As we approach, a crowd develops. Townsfolk and city guards. Most are amazed. Wind up with parade following us as we enter town. Guards take custody of the giant and we are provided free food and lodging.

Oosana

XP: Kills - 1200, Story - 400. Dubious gets a 200 RP bonus.
Everyone get 1 action point and 1 reputation point

Loot:
12 50Au trade bars
4 golden topaz @ 100 each.