CH 2: Two Heads are Better

[HorizonsDream]

"It is easy enough to use," Echo says. "It is just that there are some powerful spells on it that could hurt a lot of people if they aren't used properly."

[JadedDM]

Nuvain creeps back toward them. "I couldn't get too close," he says softly. "But one of the monsters is in the big cavern. He's got three of the pilgrims with him, all tied up. Looks like he's getting a fire going to cook them up."

"Just the one?" asks Hollidan. "Did you see any others?"

"No, but it's a big cavern. I only saw one for sure."

"Did you see any other exits in the cavern?"

"Not from my vantage point, but I couldn't see everything," Nuvain says.

[HorizonsDream]

"Only three? Weren't there nine taken?" Echo asks.

[JadedDM]

"That's right," Gimog says. "Each giant took three people."

[HorizonsDream]

"I have an idea," Echo says. "There is a spell in this wand that might be of use. Since the...thing is building a fire, I could use the certain spell to try and blind the creature. That will give the rest of you time to rescue the three that are getting ready to be cooked. The downside is that our surprise will be gone, and it is possible that this spell will blind anyone that is looking directly at the fire," Echo explains. "Otherwise, we can check the other tunnel to see if we can find the others."

[JadedDM]

"Yes, good point. We need to rescue everyone, not just these three. Let's try the other path then, see where it takes us," Hollidan says.

Moving together, the group creeps forward about sixty feet. The scent of decay and dried blood is all about, and there are bones littering the area. They reach a corner, where an old ribcage sits, and turn right. About fifteen feet down, the path splits into an intersection. Carefully and quietly, they pass by the open cavern Duvain spoke about. Using her infravision, Echo spots the giant nearly on the other side of the cavern, rummaging around for something.

They pass by the opening quickly, before they are seen. Another ten feet, and they hit another corner, this time turning to the right. This tunnel goes another forty feet before turning to the left. The party stops here in this tunnel and waits while Nuvain goes to scout ahead.

He peaks around the next corner, and quickly moves back to hide. He then creeps back toward Echo and the others. "Another cavern, this one smaller. Giant inside, and another three people tied up."

[HorizonsDream]

"It seems like they are all separated, which makes this even harder," Echo says with a sigh.

[JadedDM]

"Or easier," Gimog says. "Things might be harder if they were all together," he points out.

"Alright," Hollidan says. "Any ideas then?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, we can still go with the idea I had before," Echo offers. "It seems like these things are separated enough that they might not know that the others are in trouble."

[JadedDM]

Nuvain takes another quick peek, then returns. "This one looks like it was burned. Echo, I think it's the one you scorched earlier."

"That's good," Hollidan says. "If it's wounded, it'll be easier to deal with. So, Echo blinds it with her wand, then the rest of us try and take it down?" he asks.

"I can ask for Gonto's blessing," Gimog offers. "Might make the difference."

[HorizonsDream]

"If it doesn't work, because there is a chance that it might not, we need a back up plan," Echo says. "I could just throw a fireball in there, but the blast could easily hurt the pilgrims. Wall of Fire might actually work this time around as the creature isn't carrying anyone. I can force the wall to wrap around the creature."

[JadedDM]

"Let's avoid doing anything to hurt the pilgrims," Hollidan says. "Alright, sounds like we have a plan. We'll move on your mark, Echo."

[HorizonsDream]

Echo creeps closer to the opening so that she can actually see where the creature is and where the pilgrims are while keeping relatively out of sight as she pulls out her wand.

[JadedDM]

Peeking out from behind the corner, Echo spots the giant and the pilgrims with her infravision.

The pilgrims are at the far end of the cavern, while the giant itself is about ten feet south of them. It's badly burned, as Nuvain said. It's sitting down, squatting, and munching on something.

The pilgrims are tied up in a bundle, although none of them are moving.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo points her wand at the creature and says, "Firaja'". She makes sure the center the wall of fire just around the creature as close as possible as she doesn't want to hurt the pilgrims, and has the heat of the fire radiate inward.