9: Between a Rock Giant and a Hard Place

The group return to the Derelict Ark for downtime and debriefing after the train heist. Over this time Hunter channels his connection to Lord Lendosh with the assistance of Shahana Zinvalur. In this trance Lendosh gives a request to meet the group in Falong with the intent of giving the group a trial to deem their worthiness to his own forces. Lendosh leaves Hunter who falls into an almost catatonic state for the rest of downtime.   Later on, Bird Feather reports there is a figure who would like to meet the members of Lifewood Labor. In the dead of night The Ragged Possum is filled with a thick fog which accumulates into a giant woman Nyx "Mist-tricks" Saandii'ro. She offers her own peoples' assistance should the group be able to assist them in repairing an ancient derelict Cloud Giant castle in the Lierie Pass. She then spends the rest of the night carousing in the pub before leaving the early morn.   A new contract is made, with the understanding that choosing Lendosh or Nyx over the other may harm their reputation in the eyes of the other as races staunchly opposed to one another. The group finish preparations before making their way down to Lock to find a ship and make their way into the Lierie Pass. Their intent to assist the giants.   In Lock the group meet Captain Lliion Rei and Boson Tergal Planks, who command the ship Y Tri Y Once who are willing to ferry the group to this remote island though warn the group of unsettling storms that seem to surround it. En route the ship is forced into a shallow reef and attacked by drowned creatures and shark like humanoids just below the swirling waters. These figures retreat when a bolt of lightning slams into the deck of the ship and coalesces into another massive figure, Dole'rue, a storm giant. Dole'rue's presence seems to calm the storm and they assist the ship in safely arriving at a small island with a singular tower atop, a lone remaining watch tower of a massive, buried castle.

Buried Cinders

Safely within the cloud giant castle, the group meet another figure Blaas Yoldiir'iir, a fire giant who informs the group that creatures from the Elemental Plane of Fire entered their castle forge and engine from their elemental portal at the center of the castle. These creatures refuse to leave and have been running the engine hot, seemingly running the risk of detonating the entire apparatus if left for much longer. The group is sent in to quell this infestation and are made insulated suits to allow them more time within the forge while he remains outside to quell the burn as long as he can.   Inside, the group discover that the infestation is a collection of Salamanders and their lowly Fire Newt servants tending to a dark sphere of obsidian in the center of what has become an artificial volcanic chamber. Though originally believed to be a dragon egg, the sphere turns out to be the Salamander's god incarnate, a phoenix, a massive and incredibly dangerous creature who brings ash to any civilization it touches. The egg was brought here for protection from enemies within the Elemental Plane of Fire. With the assistance of a talkative Newt Ol' Sammy, the group is able to get the Salamanders and Giants to speak with one another and negotiate some protection for the egg in exchange for leaving the forge. All is well, until looming forces begin to surround the island at all sides.

All Out Assault

Lord Lendosh, knowing the group had moved to his objective already due to his supplicant's attempted scuttling earlier, has prepared a full scale siege of the island from all sides in an attempt to secure the elemental portal to secure passage for additional forces to enter the Material Plane. The group is attacked by a massive force, initially only intending to hold the position long enough to get the forge alight and the castle aloft, but some quick negotiation with Lord Lendosh allow the encounter to have a proper end. Lendosh will not pull his forces back, but will not add more to the main body, if the group can defeat these forces then perhaps they can live another day to be of use. While the battle is grueling, the group manage to cut down the forces with a proper coup de'tat, killing both of the priests who commanded the main army.   With the army dispersed, the giants finally get the giant's castle in the air. Lliion Rei and Tergal Planks remain aboard their ship but ally themselves with Lifewood Labor before the ships depart. The Giants offer their thanks and services with a flying ship, presenting the group with a teleportation circle rune, and transportation back to Weft.

Contract

Hunter has given us a connection to Lord Lendosh, a Lord in Waiting, an incredibly ancient and powerful entity, and potential tenuous ally. The details of the meeting are light, we can’t properly prepare you for what may occur so we advise you to remain immensely cautious. The initial report is that the Lord desires control over an Elemental Portal found within a remote island in the Lierie Pass. You will be travelling to Falong for this meeting, he has requested we prove our worth to him for his assistance later. On the other hand, Nyx "Mist-tricks" Saandii'ro has offered a counter opportunity. Help the Giants with an infestation and stoke the forge to allow them to escape the sea and rally their forces around the elemental portal at its core.

Objectives

• Travel to Falong and hear Lord Lendosh's request
• or Assist Nyx in repairing an ancient Cloud Giant castle

Rewards

• 10,000 gp
• Salvaged supplies