TG411

A Completely Random Encounter

Episode Number: (TG411)
Original Airdate: 4/2002

The party, after having divided up the loot in the dragon's hoard, heads back to Twingate. Along the way they (completely randomly) meet a group of giants known as the Giant Army, who try to extort money from the party in exchange for "protection." The party politely passes on the opportunity, slaying all five giants in the process.

Plot Points

• Farribar was tortured and killed by servants of the Ta'bar'pur while the party was off fighting the dragon.
• The Giant Army apparently had some sort of treaty with the Firm Order.
• Aldamar's spirit does not wish to return to the Material Plane. His body has been cremated and his ashes scattered in his druid grove just outside Twingate.
• The party is now splitting up in order to achieve objectives critical to the success of the raid on the Library of Ironpass.

Unanswered Questions

• Why was Farribar tortured? What information, if any, did the Ta'bar'pur extract from him?
• Is Aldamar's spirit really unwilling to return?
• What is up with the bracelet that Tierney is wearing?

Analysis

The Giant Army wasn't so much an army of giants as a small army which happened to contain giants. And dire cats carrying minotaurs. And war shrikes carrying gnolls.

When it works, banditry pays almost as well as going out and earning the loot fairly. But if you don't pick your victims carefully...

Gryffid Speaks

On the subject of Aldamar: I think I could quasi-understand the guy. I don't know what his spiritual bent is, though; I hope he doesn't mind our little ceremony for him. For the record, I appreciated his help.

On the subject of Tierney: he's almost insane. I'll let you know when he's lost it completely.

Okay, so "Giant Army" is actually a fairly accurate term.

So while I was up there riding on the wagon, the giants were pointed out to me. I got my bow ready. (I like this bow.) I saw the five of them, claiming they were the Giant Army, thinking that there were other giants lurking about. No problem. I'm good against giants, especially if I'm well-equipped and they're far away. (I'm almost as good up close.)

Then they offered "protection" for the small fee of "that wagon and its contents." The very wagon on which I was sitting. How predictable. That wasn't nice of them. So Timus cast a spell at the lead giant (a cloud giant). That wasn't nice of him, but it got me in the mood for some giant-killing. I wonder what the cloud giant thought of that barrage of arrows that hit him in the face. (I like this bow a lot.)

Then the cloud giant summons the rest of the army -- minotaurs riding giant cats, gnolls on war shrikes. Occasionally sorcerers and wizards come in handy -- I guess I'll have to get used to thinking of minotaurs as small fry.

I was doing pretty well until the gnolls dropped nets on me. I perforated a few more of those minotaurs with my bow (did I mention I like the bow?) but between the hail of boulders and the swipes of one of those giant cats, I was taken out.

I hear we scared off the few things that remained. I wonder why Timus and Aldea look so damn smug.

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