{"id":178,"date":"2019-02-14T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-14T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/single-post\/the-giants-gamble-pt-7\/"},"modified":"2022-04-21T11:55:31","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T11:55:31","slug":"the-giants-gamble-pt-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2019\/02\/14\/the-giants-gamble-pt-7\/","title":{"rendered":"The Giant’s Gamble Pt. 7"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chapter 7: Adamantium<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The town of Triboar had become unnaturally quiet. Pieces of the town were smoldering ruins, others barely visible under the huge boulders that crushed them. The fire giants had come again to Triboar and left the scattered bodies of those who tried to defend their homes and lost. Darathra, the Lord Protector of the town, knelt down and pulled Narth\u2019s eyes closed. The man\u2019s broken body was one of many, and Roon couldn\u2019t help but feel at least partially responsible. He wasn\u2019t able to heal them. He had spent so much of his time after the academy focused on drinking and having a good time, that he\u2019d almost forgotten what he\u2019d learned. He clenched his fists and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, letting the guilt wash away, as he had often learned to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m sorry about your town,\u201d Kilian said to Darathra.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She nodded and stood, surveying the town. \u201cMost of our militia is in the south fighting orcs. Perhaps if I hadn\u2019t sent them, Narth and everyone else would still be alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is no one\u2019s fault,\u201d Kilian said softly. \u201cAll the same, we want to repair this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHow?\u201d Darathra asked skeptically.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re not sure,\u201d he told her uncertainly, sharing a look with Roon, \u201cbut we\u2019re going to try and fix the giant\u2019s ordening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m not sure I know what you\u2019re talking about, even after what you\u2019ve told me, but perhaps I can help,\u201d she said heavily. \u201cThere is a half-orc named Dral Thelev. If you take the Evermore Way to the town of Everlund, you can find him at Danavar\u2019s house. He may be able to help you with the giants.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cEverlund, you say?\u201d Kilian asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She nodded. \u201cIt will be a three day\u2019s walk on foot if you travel lightly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThank you,\u201d the sorcerer said gratefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Urgola, the woman with the dark skin and short cropped hair, took Evelyn aside. \u201cYou are a very skilled fighter, little one,\u201d the tall woman said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThanks,\u201d Evelyn said shyly, covering her scarred arms with her hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Urgola took her by the elbow and began to lead her away. \u201cListen, I have someone you should meet in Zimorval Hall\u2026\u201d they walked out of earshot before Roon could hear any more.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Darathra excused herself. \u201cI will send someone to pick up the bodies,\u201d she said, giving one last look to Narth\u2019s body before walking wearily away.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thia untied Aelar\u2019s head from her belt where she\u2019d strung it. The facial features were barely recognizable and had been preserved with tar that was now sloughing off with what remained of the face. It was a ghastly sight, but Thia didn\u2019t seem to notice. She walked toward a grove of trees on the edge of town, a handful of his thick blonde hair in her grasp. With the flick of her hand, a mound of dirt rose from the ground and dropped next to a freshly dug hole. She placed the head inside and stood, hands folded and head bowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon walked up to where she stood and took out his staff, turning the symbol to face the grave and whispering a prayer. Then he twisted the staff in his hands and placed it at his back. Thia whispered her own prayer to the gods, then whisked her hands through the air and brought the mound of dirt to rest over the head. \u201cGoodbye, Aelar,\u201d she said quietly, then turned and walked past everyone without even a glance back.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDo you think she\u2019ll be okay?\u201d Roon asked, surprised by his sudden empathy for the elf, whom he had rarely got on with.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIn time,\u201d Kilian said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGood,\u201d Roon said. Then, to lighten the mood he added, \u201cI could use a drink.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWait, who\u2019s that?\u201d Opal asked, pointing down the stretch of road where the giant had fled not long ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A stranger walked down the path with hands in his pockets, looking around with vague interest at the destroyed homes and shops. He was dressed in black clothing and did not look like he belonged. When he noticed their group standing in the middle of the road, he looked at them in surprise but continued to saunter over. \u201cWell, well,\u201d he was a tall half-elf with dark, chocolate-coloured skin and flowing black hair with pointed elf ears peeking out, \u201cit looks like this town has been through a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt was just attacked by fire giants,\u201d Opal said in her soporific voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFire giants, you say? Hmm,\u201d the half-elf looked around again as if unimpressed. \u201cHaven\u2019t seen any myself.\u201d His black clothing was travel-worn and frayed to the point of being over-washed, and his large pack showed he had been on the road for a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhere are you from?\u201d Kilian asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOh, I\u2019m from nowhere,\u201d he said vaguely, shrugging, \u201cand everywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAnd what is your business in Triboar?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWell, to be perfectly honest,\u201d he rubbed his cleanshaven face with a smirk, \u201cI was planning on coming to this town to steal things, but it seems there\u2019s nothing to thieve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s very honest,\u201d Roon said, eyeing the half-elf suspiciously. \u201cDo you gamble, mister\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cBran. Bran Tallstag,\u201d he bowed in introduction. \u201cAnd yes, I do gamble. I\u2019m quite good at it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ll see about that,\u201d Roon smiled and folded his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWho wants a drink?\u201d Kilian asked, looking longingly over to the Talking Troll tavern across the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll be there in a minute,\u201d Roon said seriously. \u201cI want to check the giant\u2019s body.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSame,\u201d Thia said, having appeared behind them to eye the newcomer. Her face was expressionless, void of the emotion that had been there only moments before.<\/span><\/p>\n

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As the two of them trotted off, Roon heard Kilian say to the half-elf, \u201cwhat about you, Bran? How does a drink sound? I always like to meet a stranger on the road.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI could drink,\u201d Bran said with a shrug. \u201cThough I can\u2019t promise you\u2019ll like me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thia pulled up a long metal staff from a spot near the fallen body of the giant.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do you think they were digging for?\u201d Opal asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She and Evelyn had followed Roon and Thia out to the field to check the body for clues. Evelyn had first cut out the giant\u2019s heart and stowed it away in her pack, and no one was too surprised. She was a strange girl who seemed to like body parts as souvenirs. Roon still wanted to know about the eyeball.<\/span><\/p>\n

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He cast a small detection spell and he could feel a glimmer beneath their feet where the dirt had been upturned. \u201cHere,\u201d he said, walking around. \u201cThere\u2019s something magical down there. Look,\u201d he pointed at a glimmer of metal and Thia immediately began pulling dirt from the surface of the metal object.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Soon, they had a large portion of it uncovered. It was a long, bent pole of metal.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Evelyn asked, and Thia inspected the staff more carefully, holding it up and pointing it at the large metal piece.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m not sure, but this staff is directing me straight to it. It contains some sort of detection magic. This must be what they were using to find\u2014whatever this is. It\u2019s probably why they attacked the town.\u201d Thia shook her head thoughtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt looks like it\u2019s part of an old structure,\u201d Roon said, inspecting the area. \u201cDarathra might know. We could ask her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDo we cover it back up?\u201d Opal asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The hole was impressively large and their work over the last twenty minutes would be hard to hide. \u201cNo,\u201d Roon decided, \u201cthe other giant said she would be back, and she knows exactly where it is already. Besides, it\u2019s too big for us to move.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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With that, they went in search of Darathra.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They found Darathra organizing a cleanup party. She told them she had already sent word to their militia south to return prepared to fight a fire giant, possibly more. She didn\u2019t know about the metal structure beneath the town, nor why the giants would be looking for it, but she suggested they speak with Alestra. \u201cIf anyone knows about it, it would be her,\u201d Darathra said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thia and Opal looked at Roon nervously. \u201cWe need to tell her that her second husband is dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI can do it,\u201d Roon said,<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNo,\u201d Thia said firmly. \u201cThat\u2019s a terrible idea. The first time did not go well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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When they turned to continue their conversation with Darathra, Roon winked at Evelyn and ran off in search of the Lionshare shop where Alestra worked. Sure, the first time might have been awkward, but this time, he knew exactly what to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe sold it,\u201d Thia said excitedly several minutes later. Thia and Opal had quickly caught on to Roon\u2019s attempt to break the news to Alestra and stopped him before he could get a foot in the door. They left him outside, Opal picking him up unceremoniously and dropping him outside, and spoke with Alestra themselves. Now, they stood with Kilian and the awkward Bran outside the Talking Troll tavern, which was empty of its owner. They\u2019d asked Bran for some privacy, and the half-elf now stood apart from them looking bored.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou sold <\/em>it? How? It\u2019s already in their town,\u201d Kilian said disbelievingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They had told Alestra about the metal structure they\u2019d dug up, and she\u2019d offered them five thousand gold in gems for discovering it. Thia shrugged, \u201cshe offered it, and I wasn\u2019t about to say no. I warned her the giant would return and would be looking for it. Hopefully they move it in time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cStrange, but I won\u2019t argue it,\u201d Kilian sighed, \u201cwe could use the money if we\u2019re ever going to get somewhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was a pause as everyone agreed to that. Roon knew exactly what he was going to use one of the gems for.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAre we ready to leave Triboar,\u201d Kilian said, \u201cand head to Everlund?\u201d Everyone nodded their agreement quite adamantly. They had quite enough of the dilapidated town of Triboar, and all preferred to keep their heads on their shoulders, and that meant staying far away from fire giants.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat did you find out about our new friend Bran?\u201d Roon asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cQuite an interesting fellow,\u201d Kilian said. \u201cHe was a sailor\u2014well, a pirate. Now he travels through towns looking for things to steal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSounds like he\u2019s gotten around,\u201d Roon said jokingly. \u201cBut seriously, do you think we can trust him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian shrugged, unsure. \u201cI asked him to travel with us,\u201d he said, \u201cat least for a little while. From what he\u2019s told me, he\u2019s a decent fighter, and he\u2019s good at sneaking into places. We could use that on our team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re a team now?\u201d Roon asked, arching an eyebrow. \u201cPlus, who\u2019s better at sneaking into things than a three-foot-one gnome? Seriously, Kilian, get your head out of your a\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWell,\u201d Kilian cut in, \u201che could be useful. That\u2019s all I\u2019m saying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thia glanced over at Bran. \u201cI think you\u2019re right,\u201d she said finally.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s kind of attractive, hey Thia?\u201d Roon said, nudging her. \u201cDespite the pointy ears, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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She rolled her eyes in response.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Evelyn sighed wistfully. \u201cI\u2019d like to see him fight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMe too,\u201d Roon nodded. \u201cBut first, I\u2019d like to see him play cards.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s settled, then?\u201d Kilian asked, and one by one, the group nodded their assent. \u201cI say we give him some gold as compensation for coming with us on the road. Five gold each should suffice, especially after the large sum we\u2019ve made today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOkay, but I want to talk to him first,\u201d Opal said, and skipped towards Bran immediately, saying loudly, \u201cexcuse me, mister half-elf, but if you were walking down a path and you saw a cat and it, let\u2019s say, rubbed against your leg and meowed, what would you do? Would you say hi to it, would you ignore it, or would you kick it across the road?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cUm,\u201d Bran looked over at the others, who all shrugged as if saying this is Opal, get used to it<\/em>, \u201cI would let the cat be, maybe make eye contact with it, and continue on my way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOkay,\u201d Opal said happily, turning to everyone else, \u201che doesn\u2019t kick animals. He\u2019s allowed to come!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhere are you planning on going?\u201d Bran asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAh, yes, well, about that\u2026\u201d and Kilian began to explain their destiny to save the world and stop the giants.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon and Kilian headed to an inn that was still intact and had a meal. Meanwhile the rest of their companions went to speak with the other townspeople and see what they could find in the abandoned homes. Thia returned first with a wanted poster, showing it to them. \u201cI found it in the campground caretaker\u2019s shed,\u201d she said, pointing to the drawing of a dwarf neither of them recognized. The poster read: Weavel the Dwarf, wanted, taken alive.<\/em> Below that was a handwritten note scrawled in the corner that said: stables in Xanthrol\u2019s Keep.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHm, an interesting thing to keep in mind I suppose,\u201d Kilian said, \u201cthough I think we should focus our efforts on the giants.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSpeaking of,\u201d Roon said, pulling out a deck of cards as he saw Bran enter the tavern, \u201cwho wants to play a little game of cards?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The militia arrived early the next morning and began building their defenses around the town of Triboar. Before leaving, the group met with Darathra one last time and she handed them each a platinum badge, which she said was a gift for what they\u2019d done for the town. They thanked her and headed East out of Triboar on the Evermore Way.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The next night they arrived in the town of Yartar, a place where Evelyn had been before when working with various mercenary groups. They spent the night in the Silver Stag tavern and spent some time gambling. Roon had to admit Bran was quite good, but Kilian took the pot and the two of them shared mead late into the night, reminiscing about old tales.<\/span><\/p>\n

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When they were back on the road the following day, Thia told them she was able to attune to the metal staff they\u2019d taken from the giant. \u201cI\u2019ve spent some time studying it, and it looks like it will detect any adamantium metals and point me in that direction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSo, you think there are more of these structures out there the giants are hoping to find?\u201d Roon asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d she admitted, \u201cbut I\u2019m going to keep an eye on it and see what I can find.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once they left Yartar, they continued down the road until they were affronted with the musty scent of a bog nearby. Feeling apprehensive as the fog set in around the area, they continued until nightfall, where they made camp off the road. It was a chill night, and it was a challenge to keep their fire warm on the damp earth, but they managed to set up their bedrolls in a semi-dry area.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Opal and Roon took first watch around the camp. Roon waited until everyone else was asleep, then asked the genasi, \u201cOpal, I realize I don\u2019t know much about you. You know back when we were first on the road together and were attacked by those giant vultures?\u201d She nodded, \u201cAnd there were those goblins, and the one we took captive. Well, you seem to really hate goblins, and I haven\u2019t noticed that you hate too many things. I\u2019m just curious about what it is about them that affects you so?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The genasi shrugged and looked through the mist, \u201cthey\u2019re abominations to the land. There\u2019s something about nature, and the life it holds, that creatures like goblins have no regard for. They burn and cut and wreak havoc on the beautiful things around us. That can\u2019t go unpunished.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI never saw you for the type to punish someone for their misdeeds,\u201d Roon said quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she sighed in her dreamy way, \u201cI just feel that it\u2019s my responsibility to protect life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI get that,\u201d Roon said, thinking back to his time at the academy. \u201cSo, I know you\u2019re half gnome, and therefore at least half awesome,\u201d he said finally, \u201cbut which half of you is gnome? And where did the genasi part come in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMy mother was a gnome,\u201d Opal looked down at him sadly. \u201cShe was shamed by our village for marrying my father. He was an earth genasi, which I think is why I feel so connected to nature\u2026 anyways, once my mother and father were both gone, the gnomes raised me, but they were cruel. They hated that I was different. So, once I was old enough, I ran away, and I never looked back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThey were probably just jealous by how tall you were,\u201d he said quickly, then added \u201cI\u2019m sorry they did that to you. Although I\u2019m a gnome, I really haven\u2019t spent much time with others like me. At least, not for a while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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There were footsteps behind them, and they both turned, but it was only Thia, come to take over next watch. Roon left the two women to speak and crawled into his bedroll, curling up into a tiny ball to keep warm. Eventually, his shivering turned to snores.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDid you know that bogs can actually preserve organic material really well?\u201d Roon said instructively to everyone as they walked, the strong smell of rotting plants and stagnant water ever-present. \u201cYou could drop a body in one and it will still look good as new when you dig it up a few thousand years from now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI did know that, actually,\u201d Evelyn said in her soft voice that made no one doubt she was telling the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHow do you<\/em> know that, Roon?\u201d Kilian asked curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOh, just something I learned at the academy,\u201d he said, waving a hand. He rarely talked to Kilian about his time at school. \u201cI don\u2019t want to bog you down with such a boring tale.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian rolled his eyes at the pun. It was nearing nightfall, and they would need to set up camp again soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWait,\u201d Thia said suddenly, stopping the group, \u201cthe staff can sense something.\u201d She lifted the metal staff and pointed across the bog down a path through the marshes. \u201cAdamantium. That way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDo we follow it?\u201d Opal asked excitedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Kilian said uncertainly, \u201cwe really should get to Everlund and speak with that half-orc Darathra told us about. Can we really afford the detour?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThese relics might be really important, Kilian,\u201d Thia said seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat if the giants are there already?\u201d the sorcerer asked. \u201cWe didn\u2019t fare too well against them last time. Look at how many people died.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bran looked up in interest but said nothing. The half-elf had been rather quiet in the journey, observing them from afar and saying little about their plans to repair the ordening.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCan you tell if it\u2019s far?\u201d Roon asked, and Thia shook her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt feels close, but I couldn\u2019t say how close.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLet\u2019s at least make camp for the night,\u201d Kilian said, eyeing the darkening sky. \u201cWe can decide in the morning.\u201d They all agreed and found a thick patch of scrub brush where they unfolded their bedrolls. \u201cNo fire tonight,\u201d Kilian advised, looking nervous. \u201cNot while we\u2019re this close to that strange metal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon awoke to Thia saying in a hushed and frantic voice, \u201ceveryone, wake up! I can hear something coming\u2014and it\u2019s big<\/em>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon could tell exactly what she meant. The squishy ground seemed to tremor with the sounds of approaching footsteps. He groaned internally, praying they wouldn\u2019t need to fight another giant. He was much too handsome to die.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon scrambled to his feet and stumbled into the bramble as he pulled up his trousers and got out his shortbow, crouching down. Suddenly, Kilian threw out his hands and a massive cloud of fog rolled in around them, obscuring their view. Roon could hear shouts from small creatures in a gargled language that sounded primordial. They knew they were there. Roon cast his thaumaturgy to land thirty feet away. The air shimmered and there was an echoing animal scream caused by his spell. That seemed to draw the attention of a few of the gargling creatures. Roon could only see a few feet in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cEveryone grab on!\u201d Thia said quietly. \u201cWe\u2019ll use my staff to guide us out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon reached his hand out and grabbed Evelyn and Kilian\u2019s hands until they walked in a chain, Thia in the lead.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Then, there was a booming voice overhead. \u201cTHEY\u2019RE IN THE FOG. GET THEM!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Evelyn released Roon and Bran\u2019s hands. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Roon hissed, but she drew her swords and cut both palms, and her blades ignited in black flames. \u201cOh, great,\u201d Roon swore as the white-haired girl disappeared into the fog.<\/span><\/p>\n

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From nowhere, a giant scorpion tail appeared, dropping right in front of Bran. Bran jumped back, silently drawing a dagger from his sleeve, but Thia said, \u201cit\u2019s Opal. Grab on!\u201d Bran grabbed the scorpion tail and started following it through the fog.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI think we\u2019ll have to fight,\u201d Kilian said, looking down at Roon, then releasing his and Thia\u2019s hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDamnit,\u201d Thia cursed as Kilian ran out of sight. \u201cAlright, fine.\u201d She reached back to switch out her staff for her sword.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

At that same moment, Kilian\u2019s fog cloud disappeared, and Roon had a momentary panic attack, thinking the sorcerer had been killed. He breathed out in relief when he saw the man standing ten feet away, shooting glowing orbs into the sky to illuminate a huge fire giant swarmed with winged creatures blazing with magma. A massive ball of fire burst and exploded in the middle of them, sending everyone flying back. Roon rolled to his feet a moment later and patted out the flames on his jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon summoned his duplicate illusion and sent it running toward Kilian to see if he needed healing. It was then that he was able to fully grasp Opal\u2019s new transformation. She was a massive brown and red scorpion with a wicked-looking curled tail. The druid charged at one of the flying creatures and pierced it out of the sky with her tail. Thia drew her sword and sang into the blade until it began to glow, then leapt and slashed at another creature. Evelyn was already in the fray, and Bran was sneaking around the edge of the bog, shooting them down with arrows. Kilian lined up a shot and threw a bolt of lightning, striking down two of the flying creatures and arching off to hit the giant, who roared in anger. \u201cKILL THEM!\u201d The giant shouted more fervently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Meanwhile, Roon twisted his hands over his head and cast his spiritual weapon to hover next to the giant. It was a large hand with the middle finger out, and it started jabbing at the giant\u2019s face and eyes. The giant roared again and tried swatting it away. The scorpion ran under the flying creatures and charged at the giant with claws and stinger snapping. Evelyn dispatched the last of the smaller creatures and they all surrounded the giant with their various spells and weapons. The giant raised his greatsword and slammed it onto Opal\u2019s back once, twice, and finally cracked the hard scorpion exterior. Opal shuttered and shrunk until she was a small genasi standing at the foot of the giant, who went to stomp on her. With a scream, she changed back into the scorpion just in time to pierce the bottom of the upraised giant\u2019s foot with her stinger. The giant nearly lost his footing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thia started shooting spells at the giant, standing next to Kilian, who threw a chaos orb that struck the giant\u2019s thick armour and pelted off. Evelyn stood near the giant and she wasn\u2019t moving, her eyes glazed over. What the blazes is that girl doing? <\/em>Roon thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The giant grabbed his head, looking around in pained confusion, which gave Roon the chance to poke him in the head with the large spiritual hand repeatedly. The giant screamed, and Roon laughed out loud. \u201cUh, Kilian?\u201d Thia shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d The sorcerer replied as he struck the giant again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI just remembered, giants don\u2019t have darkvision!\u201d She said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Kilian nodded, and he killed the lights.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Then, Thia and Kilian simultaneously hit the giant with more lightning. Opal, again in her scorpion form, was the one to take the hits on her hardened carapace. For another few long, drawn out seconds, they all hit the giant with their various spells, slashes and shots, and finally, Bran shot an arrow into the giant\u2019s thigh and he fell to his knees. At the same moment, Thia and Kilian hit him once more with electrical bolts, and the giant fell with a pitiful moan. When the dust had settled in the dark night, they could see Evelyn standing atop the corpse, already working at digging the heart from its chest. It was a gruesome sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

With a sigh of relief, Roon cast a healing spell over each of them as Thia went over to Evelyn to check the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell done, Opal,\u201d Kilian praised as the genasi walked over on two feet, back to her normal form.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d she beamed, \u201cthough I don\u2019t think scorpion\u2019s poison works on fire giants.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt worked well enough,\u201d Roon said happily, nodding to Bran appreciatively. \u201cGlad to see you\u2019re a good shot, Tallstag.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran gave an awkward smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thia found the giant\u2019s bag and it contained some very strange items, including another staff like hers, which they immediately placed in Roon\u2019s bag of holding. There was gold, a large statue of a dwarf that looked to have been parted from its base, an empty chest, a wooden door, and a tent. The wooden door was perhaps the most strange and interesting find. But, for their health, and time being a heavy burden on them with the fate of the world on their shoulders, they set up the tent, which smelled oddly of troll, and bedded down for a restless sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

They followed Thia\u2019s staff down a winding path through the bog, stopping once when they noticed a pack of sixteen orcs pushing along six halfling prisoners. They ducked and watched them go, certain they were no match for such a large number of orcs, especially after how they\u2019d fared in Nightstone. Roon felt guilty about the decision, but Thia reminded them that they had a larger part to play, and they couldn\u2019t take the time to save every little person. He tried not to take the \u2018little person\u2019 part personally. They walked for a few miles before they reached the outer edge of the marshland. Thia pointed her staff a few feet off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThere. It\u2019s buried beside that hill.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They rushed over to examine the area. \u201cThis will take hours to dig up, even with magic,\u201d Roon said, staring down at the packed earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe have to try,\u201d the elf woman said as she began to pull up dirt and cast it aside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They took turns pulling up dirt and it was late afternoon by the time they uncovered three feet of a metal dome, with evidence that the piece was much larger and went quite a bit deeper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we can take this with us,\u201d Kilian said, wiping sweat from his brow and leaving a streak of mud.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDefinitely not. It\u2019s huge, and we don\u2019t have the time,\u201d Evelyn said quietly, and Roon had to agree with the girl. She seemed distant after her conversation with Urgola, and Roon reminded himself to ask her about it some time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran didn\u2019t say much, only watched. Though, to his credit, he had helped with the digging.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMaybe we should try to destroy it,\u201d Roon suggested, \u201cbefore the giants can get to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe can definitely try,\u201d Kilian said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They all agreed and began trying various substances against the metal: acid, frost, fire, even radiant light channeled from Roon\u2019s deity. None of it had any effect on the adamantium.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no use,\u201d Thia eventually said. \u201cIt cannot be destroyed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon agreed and took out a bottle of black ink and painted a giant representation of male genitalia on the top of the dome.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat exactly is that for?\u201d Kilian asked, arms crossed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAmusement. Relieving the tension.\u201d Roon shrugged, \u201cmaybe it will be so off-putting, the giants won\u2019t want it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOr they\u2019ll want it more,\u201d Bran said with a hidden smirk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe could bury it again and hope they don\u2019t find it,\u201d Opal suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t take long for the giants to uncover it, not if, as we suspect, they all have a staff like the ones Thia and Roon are carrying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon hesitated before saying, \u201cI\u2014I could try sending a message to Zephyros.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou can do that?\u201d Thia asked, sounding impressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Roon winced uncertainly, \u201cI\u2019m not sure. I haven\u2019t tried the spell in years, and it\u2019s quite basic in its use. I can only send twenty-five words, and, if the spell works and he hears it, he can respond with twenty-five words of his own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat\u2019s oddly specific,\u201d the wizard said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThia, you should know better than anyone about the constructs and balances of magic,\u201d Roon shrugged, \u201cI didn\u2019t pay much attention in that class because, well, who likes math?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI like math,\u201d Evelyn offered and Roon gave her a sarcastic thumb\u2019s up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo it,\u201d Kilian said. \u201cIf Zephyros can come, he could know what these constructs are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd take this one before other giants find it,\u201d Thia added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Roon said, closing his eyes as he began to weave the spell in his mind. He pictured, in full detail, the cloud giant Zephyros with his grayish skin, flowing robes and white beard. He pushed the spell through the skies and felt a push back, like a nudge in his consciousness. He held up two fists and began to count the words as he said them. \u201cHi Zephryos. It\u2019s Roon. We\u2019re between Everlund and Callinghorn. Found staff and adamantium structures. Get us if you can. Look for giant penis. Thanks, bye.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe penis was a nice touch,\u201d Thia said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou have no idea.\u201d Roon grinned, and a few moments later he received a response in his head. \u201cHello, little one! Unfortunately, I cannot help you. I am quite far away and fighting more blasted dragons. Good luck!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

That was all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not coming,\u201d he told them, \u201cso the dick was kind of a waste of time. I say we bury the thing and hope no one finds it. Or, at least hope it\u2019s not that important.\u201d Roon knew that wasn\u2019t true, but they couldn\u2019t dwell on it when there were bigger things on the horizon. He knew the structures were probably connected, but he couldn\u2019t figure out what that connection was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They covered the dome with leaves, knowing it was not an effective hiding place, but knowing there was no alternative. They were on their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

In resignation, they followed the path back through the bog and made camp far from where they\u2019d found the adamantium, close to the Evermore Way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran woke them by banging on the side of the tent and shouting, \u201criders are coming this way!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The sound of galloping horses thundered through the darkness. They all tore out of the tent and saw from a distance five riders carrying torches and headed straight for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cLet\u2019s try talking to them,\u201d Kilian said quickly, \u201cbefore we try and kill them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Evelyn sheathed her blades, looking annoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 7 of the adventures of a strange party of people as their journey takes them across Faerun, following the story from Dungeons & Dragons, the Storm King’s Thunder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":663,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[18,19,17,14,15,16,23,20],"series":[],"class_list":["post-178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-giants-gamble-dungeons-and-dragons-series","tag-campaign","tag-cult-of-the-dragon","tag-dnd","tag-dungeons-and-dragons","tag-fantasy","tag-series","tag-the-giants-gamble","tag-wizards-of-the-coast"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Giant_s-Gamble-Blog-Photos7.png","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"amazon":{"key":"amazon","url":"https:\/\/music.amazon.ca\/podcasts\/09c34bbc-b359-49af-a286-31830ed5634c\/short-stories","label":"Amazon","class":"amazon","icon":"amazon.png"},"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_play":{"key":"google_play","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Play","class":"google_play","icon":"google-play.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0lcQCRs52MfYlKs35lVX4K","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"itunes":{"key":"itunes","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"iTunes","class":"itunes","icon":"itunes.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/feed\/podcast\/default-podcast","embedCode":"

The Giant’s Gamble Pt. 7<\/a><\/blockquote>