HotDK 38: “Everybody Just Get Stoned”

You awake; apparently even while you slept within the room being used by the Cult as a barracks no one detected you. At this time of night, ≈1am, the castle is quiet at least on this level. Malice tries to sneak into the kitchen to procure food, but the Griffon who overseas the Kobold cooks awakens and is having none of that.

Malice becomes curious about exactly what Brehana saw in the room where the two Stone Giants were at. When she mentions that she recalls seeing a large iron chest, you all decide that it is worth seeing what is inside it, despite the giants sleeping just a few feet away.

Pubert and Brehana sneak into the room and find that the chest has no physical lock, but the treasure inside is contained within a magical force sphere. Unfortunately, a squeaky hinge awakens the male Stone Giant who loudly wants to know what Pubert is doing rummaging around in his chest.

Malice tries to startle the giants by using thaumaturgy to cause the cauldron fire to flare up, but inadvertently causes Pubert and Brehana to also be caught off guard. Pubert, fearing that the giants would sound an alarm chooses to attack rather than escape.

To pin the Stone Giants in place, Malice uses his Spirit Guardian, but that does not prevent them from battering Pubert with clubs. Thankfully Rargir’s and Malice’s healing spells keep Pubert in the battle as he deals damage as well or better than he takes, finally bringing the male giant down before turning to face the female. The team brings her down finally with Brehana using Dissonant Whispers to force to run right into the Spirit Guardian and another final cut by Pubert with Hazirawn .

The chest, as it turns out, is carriable by Pubert and so by cover of night is carried to the original room the group found when the entered the castle in which they rested. Malice is able to use Dispel Magic to break the force sphere and discovers 16,000GP worth of jewels (32 in all worth 500GP each).