Mention of the Underdark got a sympathetic wince out of Moira.  No further comment though; she hadn't ventured far into that terrible place and certainly wasn't inclined to, nor could anything her experiences mention come close to the full awfulness a native would know.

"Ain't exactly a matter of stumblin' and aimless wanderin'.  We ain't raised a concerted effort against th'Giants ourselves and, more than not, figure they don't know we even exist." Moira screwed her thumb into the bridge of her nose to stifle back the inevitable headache of contending with big political forces.  "Originally our plan was just t'have our run from Nightstone - bringin' news t'House Nandar of Waterdeep, finishin' a task here in Yartar for a friend, and then head right back home southward.

But, th'more things go on, th'more it's clear we ain't been at this alone or unguided.  First it seemed like we were bein' led 'round by th'nose by folk like SEER - y'know, th'sort who fancy themselves a mastermind movin' folk like Dragon Chess pieces on a board.  She's th'one who pointed us t'you.  But then there was th'keeper of th'crash landin' y'mentioned; a Cloud Giant soothsayer who figured us in visions." she tilted her head onto the backrest of her chair with a dull thump as the scope of everything just kept getting bigger and bigger in the retelling.  A hand raised to point to each of her companions in turn; first Claire, then U'lin, and finally herself with a tap of her fingers at the holy symbol of Waukeen she wore.  "Earthmother, Wonderbringer, and Coinmaiden.  Turns out it seems it ain't just mortal hands guidin' our path."

That same gesturing hand was tossed up in dismay.  "And now there's a bloody Lordsmoot."

"'Dragon Chess pieces on a board'," Aziér grinned, "the more I hear of this SEER, the more there is to like. In all seriousness, the importance of policy shouldn't be underestimated — it's just another word for 'large scale action', after all. I assume the Giants are organized. To varying degrees," he tacked on. "Hill Giants don't strike me as the brightest bipeds out there."

The notion of a deceased Cloud Giant aiding the group sprung all sorts of alarms in Aziér heads. He'd been to the site of the crash landing, but he had only been privy to the leftovers. "What's your reason for trusting this Cloud Giant?"

"Some of 'em are, some of 'em ain't.  Ever since th'Giant's social peckin' order got broken, seems it's a free-for-all of them tryin' t'put themselves higher in th'pile.  Some of th'lesser Giants or their kin seem driven mad by it.  Far as we know, th'Fire Giants are th'ones with th'most organization goin' on and th'biggest threat laid out." There was still a lot of questions to be had about just how many Giants were involved and to what measure, but the Fire Giants had been the most overt in having a form of coherent scheme throughout the coast.  Well, at least the one of them that was left still alive... "Each Stone Giant we've met so far's been makin' odd constructions on magical leyline points, though it ain't clear if they're cooperatin' on some big project or just actin' solo doin' th'same thing each.  Stones are all addled dreamers sleepwalkin' 'round th'place; ain't no makin' sense of their heads."

On question of the Cloud Giant, however, Moira turned somber and paused mid-lift of her teacup.  A moment's hesitation in memory of the sad trill of a half-broken music box's echo before she took a sip and continued.  "His name was Zephyrous.  Never knew him personally - only learned all we did 'bout him from messages he left behind.  But he sacrificed himself t'save th'life of one of ours and set us on th'right track t'help others.  He knew he was doomed and spent his very last helpin' folk he'd never meet." she elaborated softly as her hand raised to press a habitual rub against the side of her choker-clad neck.  "It's a rare soul what does somethin' like that, Giant or not."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:38, Sat 23 Apr 2022.

U'lin opened his lips several times to say.. well, just what Moira went on to say, so he nodded in agreement on many points, more in the way of emphasis than adding on.

"Well said, as always, Moira.

"The divisions between the giant races are significant, and each level have been intent on improving their specific kind's ranking and placement in the hierarchy, seemingly viewing it as a chance to reorder, and our group will see done what great task we've been prevented to show our greater placement, not that it was forever gone - which we don't know, one way or another.  That behaviour being, of course, save the hills and giant kin, which have been a free-for-all, no rules to bind me anymore.  The hills have been focused on self-gratification, and the Oni was almost rabidly or phobically-reactive to any thought of order or control being set upon him.  He had a horrid hatred of Thente about the hint of such.

"The Fire giants we've encountered in this region appeared to be trying to restore a world-ending ancient giant golem - whether limited to eradicating the dragons and Uthgardt werewolves or everything non-giant isn't a gamble I would choose to bet a silver- but we don't know if it is THE BIG PROJECT for all, or if different fire giant groups are seeking other great Fire Giant crafts to restore.    The pieces were spread far apart, hidden within Giant  hiding spots upon leylines - another confluence of concern, relative to the Stones' work.

"There are just so very many questions remaining."

The topic of Zephyrous brought a seriousness, a thoughtful gazing away, but U'lin did not abandon the conversation, and merely spoke more introspectively in tone.  "Agreed.  He had a vision of what was to occur, and rather than try to avoid it, he spent his time preparing a message to those who would find him, and to aid those still proceeding in the world.  He had chairs for those of all heights, which was a thoughtful welcoming touch, and had painted many interesting pictures of folk or scenes that caught his attention.  It is a shame that we could not have filled the seats to discuss while he yet lived."

"Far as we know, it's been th'Fire Giants what've been th'bulk of woes along th'coast so far.  They've coordinated, gathered an army of Orcs, and staged major attacks t'get at those pieces of th'Vonindod weapon.  Th'razin' of Triboar was their doin' after they struck a deal with th'city's traitorous official mage t'get at a piece vaulted below th'city's foundations."  Having marauding invaders was bad enough, but that the Fire Giants were able to actually infiltrate and orchestrate such attacks to a more pin-pointed degree was a major problem to try and cope with.  "But now th'Uthgardt tribes have risen against them and apparently took out at least one of th'Fire Giants.  Ain't sure how that's gonna shake out, but we'll learn more at th'Lordsmoot, surely."

The Hin cast her gaze over Claire's way with a sympathetic sigh.  "So very many questions, yea.  This all started for us when Cloud Giants attacked th'town of Nightstone, far south of here.  Still dunno why they even did it.  They bombarded th'countryside with boulders th'size of carriages, killed so many of us and our kin." Even if she had set into motion a way to rectify that terrible loss, the memory of the towers in the clouds backlit by the moon still sat clear in her mind.  "They scooped up a monument in town - th'self-same 'Nightstone' - and buggered off t'who knows where.  No clue as t'why or what for."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Mon 25 Apr 2022.

Claire nodded as Moira explained the long and short of it, idly twirling a strand of gold hair around her finger as she listened patiently.

"Come to think of it, you reckon that means we could find our 'Nightstone' somewhere out there?" she hadn't actually considered the possibility of recovering the village landmark, now a part of a fantastical giant civil war. "Hadn't thought of it really, next to the lives of our loved ones it mattered so little. It'd be nice though, wouldn't it? To have it back at home. Less it's really some dangerous artifact, of course." It was strange to consider that the familiar obelisk was more than a funny-shaped rock, part of some bigger game. But more than enough strange things had happened since that fateful day.

Aziér listened to the many insights the group had accumulated. While their reason to trust the Cloud Giant sounded to veer on the emotional, he wouldn't argue. If he well and truly intended to be an ally, the demise of this Zephyrous was a great tragedy, for Aziér, too, would have liked to occupy one of those chairs the Giant had kept. "I see. Wars are fought with weapons." Well, that and spells, which slotted depending on perspective. "The Fire Giants and their construction you mentioned are testament to that. This Nightstone might be one too, or perhaps power one. But then again, Cloud Giants are obsessed with aesthetics. I wonder, however — is it one of a kind?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:46, Tue 26 Apr 2022.

DM - History check on that?  Or maybe even Arcana?

OOC: either works, what are you looking to confirm?

Whether or not the Nightstone from Nightstone is one of a kind, or if it has any known historical/magical significance?

That said, it'd probably be best for someone other than Moira to make those sort of checks, given her whopping +0/non-proficiency with the skills.  ^^;

OOC: This is a very specific piece of knowledge, I will say that the History DC is high enough that you need to be making it inside a place that would have research/sources on this to successfully cross reference if its unique.

Historically, its been in Nightstone since forever and scholars travel there occasionally to study it. Its supposedly magically inert - the residents of the town know that much at least.

Would it be possible that Claire knew?

OOC: on a nat 20, she would ;)

So you're saying there's a chance? ^^

At no risk of loss, 5% is always worth at least trying for.  :3

U'lin has heard nothing of this stone.
And... yup, has heard nothing for sure :)

It was worth a shot!

History: 18
10:09, Today: Claire Larkspur rolled 18 using 1d20.  History.

Damn close tho!

Claire explodes

More seriously, this seems like a good point to start wrapping up. I'll prep the next threads and put them up once negotiations have concluded, let's shoot for sometime before the weekend ;)

With my wife and I finishing season2 of Upload, that seems terribly appropriate :)

(Last call for this thread - I'll be moving things on soon (likely tomorrow afternoon). I would urge Azie'r and Moira to get to the actual handshake if possible xD)

"Dunno one way or th'other.  What I do know is th'Cloud Giants sure as hells didn't need t'attack th'town like they did.  Coulda just swung by, picked it up, and gone off without any fuss - ain't like nobody could'a done a damn thing 'bout it anyway." Moira scowled beyond the rim of her cup as she felt an all too familiar surge of anger rise in her chest, like embers that never truly died out given a bit of fresh air.  "It was malice what drove that attack and I'm damn keen on havin' a word with those Giants someday."

All they'd discussed hadn't even scratched the surface, but it was enough to at least grant a basic idea of what they'd been up against and what kind of danger still loomed on the horizon, perhaps.  There were political powers-at-be finally getting off their asses to contend with an obvious danger private forces had already been combating.  But, given the scale of it all, Moira sure wasn't going to argue on reinforcements.

"SEER was of a mind that y'would be a boon for us.  So what d'ya think?  Seem like a campaign y'can set onto, knowin' full well what sorta dangers are in store?  It's fair pay for th'risk, and y'get fed well as I can keep ya', but there's still th'chance this all goes foul real damn quick t'consider." the Hin shook her head.  "If y'wanna take some time t'decide, maybe come along with us t'th'Lordsmoot and see if what happens there makes up y'mind?"

It was a shame the group did not know whether or not there were several Nightstones. Had there been, one could easily have speculated upon the Cloud Giant's next course of action. Now, they were mostly in the dark. While the Fire Giants and their aggressive warfare seemed by far and away the most pressing threat to contend with, the way Moira described the Clouds' complete disregard for the lives of other races . . . it reminded him of his family. Feelings of superiority, resentment —  close nit aristocratic circles were fertile grounds for poisons of the mind.

When the topic turned to his involvement in the whole affair, Aziér only smiled gently, appreciating the Hin's concern despite it being misguided. She was the worrying kind, for sure. "I will gladly join you at the Lordsmoot, but my mind was made up the second I approached you at gala. I am speaking frankly when I say that this whole Giant thing seems like fun to pursue. Dangerous, sure, but that is part of the charm, right? The most interesting games have the realest stakes."

He extended his hand, though slightly unsure about where his pay would come from, and therefor if it was the Hin's or SEER's he was supposed to shake.

Even if it wasn't Moira's personal coffers that funded their misadventures - usually - she had fallen into a sort of de facto lead where business was involved.  If, for no other reason, than to simply spare her companions the stress of having to contend with political affairs that they so often got roped into.  Thus it was her hand that took Azie'r's in a firm shake; calloused to the touch from obvious labors in both bearing reins, tools, and weapons alike, yet still with a great warmth behind it.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:53, Wed 04 May 2022.

Claire suppressed a frown. 'Fun' and 'charming' wasn't quite the way she saw the whole endeavour - it was difficult to treat this quest of theirs like a game considering the events that had propelled them from Nightstone in the first place. Still, allies were allies. Though the youngest of the lot, the priestess was not so young to be unable to accept that the roguish fellow might, like SEER and the various lordly personages they had encountered thus far, have his own motivations for assisting. At the very least, it did not seem to her like he meant or would do any harm.

She forced a smile to avoid offending, glad that Azie'r's attention was on Moira.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:08, Wed 04 May 2022.