Session 22 - Creeping Cold

24/05/5-10

Combat began, with Shiek focusing the priestess, who had banished Cassini. Sapphira broke the spell and he returned immediately casing using a Tidal Wave. Next to the dragon, revealed to be Nikoletta, was a small pile of rusty coins, which she had buried her head in. After defeating the sahuadin, with help from the sharks, the party approached the dragon.

They greeted her, before letting her know, that they were there to get her back to Eletheria. It took some convincing, but Valeyo managed to get her to come with them to the surface and speak with Eletheria. Shiek found a gold amulet on the high priestess's body, which was incredibly heavy. Nikoletta was acting very much like a child, asking why Valeyo didn't have a leg, where he lost it, calling him careless. When asking about his arm, he said he gave it away, for a bag of coin and she said she understood that. As the party began swimming away, she swam ahead and Valeyo warned the others to try and appease her, not contradict her or make her angry.

Eventually they reached the cave and found Eletheria there, waiting for them. The party were chatting with each other as Nikoletta entered deeper into the cave with Eletheria. Inside the party found Milivoj's retainers waiting for them. Ysomir said that it was bad news. The frost giant hunter and his cyclops companion were in town. Valeyo asked why Eletheria didn't warn them that Nikoletta is so big and she said that Sardior was about freedom, so she wanted to let them decide without influencing their opinion. She then revealed that she oversaw Nikoletta's hatching, 2 weeks ago. Nikoletta is exceptionally large and smart for one her age, and since Sardior sent Eletheria here, this might be a result of the work of higher beings.

Ysomir said that the giant had come from the west, much like the party had. Eletheria insisted that the two of them would have to leave, due to the giant, though she wished that she had more time, to teach Nikoletta to shape change. Cassini offered that the party distract the hunter, or lay a false trail. Eletheria explained that her plan, once Nikoletta could shapechange was to head south into the plains, where it would be safer. Valeyo suggested they come to Rekasev with the party and then take the river south if they so wished and Eletheria agreed.

Valeyo and Otto put forth the idea of hiding those two underwater, while the party went into town and distracted the giant. Shiek pointed out the amulet he had taken and that it weight was due to the fact it was solid gold. On it, Otto recognized the symbol of Melora, making it about 1000 years old. Valeyo remembered to mention something he had thought of - the fiendish figure in the poster might well be Simona. She could have taken Sazrar's deal of becoming an acolyte of Glasya. Sapphira mentioned that the frost giant's name is Shuult and his companion is Hund. Sapphira said he seemed nice, having given her some icy arrowheads.

The party headed back to the town and from the distance, they could see the giant, laid down on his back with his knees in the air, resting. Sapphira greeted him as the group approached. It took him a bit, but he remembered meeting her in Dragomir. She asked if he is still after the dragon and Shuult said that he is, Hund was out looking. The cyclops apparently has a good nose and if there is a dragon, he will either find it and die or return. Sapphira asked about Hult's sense of smell, but Shuult said he doesn't know the details of the abilities possessed by lesser biology. He called his companion Hund because he doesn't deserve a real name. Sapphira shared about her adventure under the water, cutting out the dragon part and the giant seemed impressed. They said their goodbyes and Sapphira joined the others in the tavern. Once there, the party warned Eletheria about Hund, using the Sending Stone they had given her.

Following that, the party discussed what to do an decided that they would wait in the tavern, keeping an eye on the Giant, in case he moves. Shiek began reading one of his books and Valeyo chatted to some of the townsfolk.