Home > Campaigns > Book 4, Chapter 1 - Working for the Blue Giant
Working for the Blue Giant
When it wasn't raining, foggy, or otherwise miserable, we could see a substantial forest to the north, and mountains to the northwest. The moisture got into everything. Our blankets all felt damp, and starting campfires was nigh impossible, even for Mical. The horses trudged through the mud with their heads low, and we all snapped at each other a lot.
It was somewhat a relief when we heard a quiet cough behind Mical one evening. We turned from our pitiful fire to see a large owl perched in a tree. It coughed again, then stated, "I would like to have a word with you, please." It looked at us as expectantly as an owl could, until Mical gestured for it to continue.
"My name is Tuuuuuu-rooooooooot. I have a master who needs assistance. You look like adventuring types." Here the owl hopped up and down excitedly. "My master will pay you very well. I will lead you to him. Serren is his name, and he is very nice."
We quizzed him at length, but he either couldn't or wouldn't tell us what his master was. We also asked him if he had seen a group of elves travelling this way a while ago. He said no, but that he had seen a group of humans, seven or eight of them. I suppose those were the ones who had jumped us.
Eventually, we decided to throw caution to the winds and follow the owl. He led us to a gigantic wagon pulled by huge horses. A large blue humanoid, either a giant or a genie, sat by the fire polishing an axe the same size as me. He was well dressed, and had to be at least twelve feet tall.
"I am Serren. Come into the light, please." He gestured for us to approach, then motioned for a group of ten armed humans to back off. Serren stood, dwarfing all of us, and unbolted the door of the wagon. Four large spotted cats jumped out, each wearing a jeweled collar. While they rubbed all over his ankles, he carefully laid the axe inside the wagon, then stepped in himself.
We climbed in too, trying not to stare at the opulence of the interior. Serren leaned back into a pile of pillows. "I am a student of magic, and have traveled all over this land. I buy, sell, and trade interesting items." As the cheetahs nestled next to him, he pointed to a pile of items nearby. "Unfortunately, I am too tall to enter most of the areas these types of things are found in. I hire others to find certain things for me, and I pay very well. That is why you are here."
"There is an underground complex near here, guarded by monsters. I believe there is a tomb within containing much treasure. I have a client who desires a cube of force, which I need you to find. There is one somewhere in the complex. I will pay you 8000 gold pieces, and allow you to keep 20% of any monetary treasure you find. In addition, I will loan you magical weapons if you lack them."
We told him that we wanted to help, but that we were looking for a group of elder elves, and it was very important that we find them. Serren looked thoughtful for a moment, then offered to identify a couple of our weapons and Lagasse's shield as additional payment, and to send a few of his men out to find the elves in the morning.
After conferring among ourselves, we agreed to take the job, but on the condition that we get 30% of the monetary treasure and all magical items we find except for the cube, and that he identify some of our other magical items. He told us that he could only identify weapons and armor, but other than that he was amenable to our demands.
