Session 29 - Charging the Windmills

04/06/5-10

As Milivoj charged, the party noticed that the hoofs of his horse became engulfed in flame, it soon wreathing his entire body as well as Milivoj. He headed for the giant, who had thrown the boulder, the heat from his body burning the giant as he approached. The others charged after him, seeing a third giant emerge.

Through the combat, Nikoletta couldn't contain herself and transformed into her Draconic form, flying at the giants. Milivoj slew the giant who had thrown the boulder and its corpse was engulfed by the flames as it's screams filled the air. The bulky giant in the back charge Milivoj, jumping in the air and falling down on him and his horse in an attempt to flatten them. When Otto arrived looking to help Milivoj, he saw that the horse had died and Milivoj himself seemed unhurt by the flames surrounding him. From beneath the giant Milivoj managed to pull out his short sword and began thrusting up, eventually killing him and engulfing him and the area in flame.

Nikoletta flew up to one of the dead giants and started breathing acid onto him. Suddenly everyone heard a scream sounding like Milivoj's voice pierce their mind before he fell unconscious and the flames extinguished. Otto tried to check up on him, but when he took off his helmet, he saw that Milivoj's skin was purple and his skull could be seen through his skin, before his skin stopped being translucent. Shiek pointed his sword at him, asking if they had missed a demon, but Sapphira argued that it could be a number of things and they need to hear him out. Valeyo rushed back towards the cart. There Blazh and Zbignew were cradling Ysomir's body. Eletheria mentioned that she had preserved it to protect it from rot and Shiek asked if they won't just bury it, to which Valeyo responded saying it is Milivoj's decision.

When they reached the tower Valeyo asked Nikoletta why she flew at the giants. She said it was because they attacked us and she was angry. He asked if she knew what these were and she looked at them, her eye twitching a little before saying she just felt they were dangerous. Looking at the giant's they wore coats, much more suited to colder weather. In the towers there were more coats, some swords a dead donkey that had been partially eaten, 50gp and a potion of healing. The ladder in the tower, seemed old, but recently repaired. Shieked climbed atop the tower to keep an eye out.

After about 30 minutes, Milivoj came to. He said he felt like a cart hit him and the last thing he remembered. He suddenly got a sad look in his eye before muttering Ysomir's name. Valeyo told him Ysomir had passed, but that his body was preserved. Valeyo asked if he remembered the fight, but they were a blur. Shiek climbed down and Sapphira asked Milivoj about the fire surrounding him and his horse. He laughed asking if they were hit on the head, but Shiek assured him it had happened, pointing at the blackened ground. He then pressed about his skin turning purple and translucent. Milivoj had no idea what that could be.

As for Ysomir, Milivoj said that they would take it to Stendolin and seek a priest. Valeyo checked on Vincent who seemed quite shaken by the whole endeavor. He professed his love of cities saying giants don't throw boulder at you there. Milivoj took Ysomir's horse and stood behind to build a funeral pyre for his deceased horse, before following after the group. After a few hours the party setup camp once more.

While putting up a tent, Shiek heard a familiar noise from his bag. He warned the others' before pulling out the Hungry Twin, from which a piece of parchment came out. On it was written "Well that was a fiery exchange. I will be watching.".  Shiek showed people the message and mentioned that they are being watched. Valeyo hypothesized that they were using a scrying magic, but pondered their timing. Otto suggested that they may have employed familiar, which caused Valeyo to remember the bird that was following them before they reached Rekasev. Shiek also added that it could be someone like Cassini. Shiek asked if Vincent could make  bomb for them to send, to which Vincent refused. They began arguing, when Valeyo pointed out that the fey were also looking for Vincent. Vincent was confused as to why and Valeyo pointed out to him that his invention of storing magic is revolutionary and every faction in the world would be after him.

The inventor went quiet, thinking about what had just been said. After a few minutes he spoke up, saying that in a few days they will be near his family estate, as it is positioned about half a day east of Stendolin. There they would have the resources to protect from attacks or scrying.

05/06/5-10

During the next few days, the mood was darker than before, the party opting to travel in silence and keeping to themselves. One one of the days, Valeyo approached Milivoj to check up on him. He expressed regret about not speaking with Ysomir more and apologised to Milivoj for what had happened. Milivoj asked why he was apologizing and Valeyo explained how he felt that the argument, about whether to turn back or go around, that Shiek and himself were having, delayed the party enough to be attacked. He wished that they had just decided to turn back and figure the details out later and if they had, Ysomir might still be alive. Milivoj told him to dispose of his guilt as the only people responsible for Ysomir's deaths were the giants, to which Valeyo quietly added that whoever let them get there also was at fault. As Valeyo turned around to return to the cart, Milivoj spoke after him saying he would explain everything. Valeyo asked what he mean, but Milivoj simply said that he needs to speak with Ysomir before he explains what had happened. Valeyo shrugged saying that it is not his place to judge him for keeping secrets and returned to the cart.

06/06/5-10 - 09/06/5-10

In the distance a large number of soldiers could be seen, at least 3 Boyar and about 15 Sila. They didn't seem to slow when approaching the party so Valeyo hailed them. The group then approached and one of the Boyar split off to meet the party. The group asked if they were a patrol, but the man said they were on task. Valeyo told him of the giants and the man said that it was them they were after. Valeyo told him they had killed them and started berating the man for not doing something sooner. The Boyar said it was not his decision and the First Boyar waited a few days after the first reports, because they found them unlikely. Valeyo told him to be on his way. The Boyar said there might be a reward for them once they are back and have submitted their report. Shiek questioned whether antagonizing the First Boyar would be smart, but Valeyo said he was determined to do it all the same.

10/06/5-10

Vincent said they were near their estate which. Valeyo questioned how big the estate was to which Vincent said that his family was quire rich, as his father ran a successful mining company. He seemed quite nervous saying it and Milivoj asked who runs the company now, to which Vincent said it was his brother Ruben. Vincent said that he didn't leave on the best of terms, as he hadn't spoken to them since he left for university. The money he inherited was but the tip of the iceberg of the wealth. They didn't have a title, it was just a matter of his father striking gold and them becoming rich from his mines.

With that, they broke from the main road and headed towards the Atanasoff estate. A short while later, in the distance an 8ft tall wall could be seen, made of decorative stone with treen lining the perimeter on the inside. Eventually, they were before a large gate house, where a pair of private soldiers came out to meet the party. One of them asked their name and business. Vincent in the wagon, pulled out a ring from his pocket and slipped it on before announcing that Enreldus Atanasoff had come home the guards seemed quite surprised and spoke to a guard in the gate, before riding off on horseback. The gate was soon opened and a main road was revealed, leading up to a three story stately home, gardens either side. An orchard could be seen to the left of it and the grounds stretched, as far as the eye could see. A guard said that someone would be there to greet them at the house.

On the way Valeyo asked about his name, Vincent said that his name is Vincent and he wants to be referred to as such. Valeyo pointed out that Enreldus didn't seem local, which Vincent confirmed. Milivoj asked where it was from ,but Vincent waved him off, saying it was just a bad joke. Eventually they reached the main house, where guards waited. A half-orc opened the doors to the main house. Behind him a crimson tiefling with sizable horn followed. The tiefling called out asking "Have you come home Ennie?". Vincent put his head in his hands saying he hates this place. The half-orc, now clearly a servant approached and bowed. The tiefling came up to Vincent saying "It is you." before hugging him. After taking a look at the party he smiled saying "Finally! Made friends have you? Come everyone let's have drinks and celebrate, it has been a good day. My brother has returned!".

The half-orc offered to take any bags, and him and Vincent look at each other for a while. He was older than Vincent and eventually beckoned the party to follow him. The house itself could only be described as grand and expensive. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling and two staircases would up either side joining at an landing in the middle where a family portrait hung. A human mother and father and 3 children. An eldest red skinned tiefling boy, Vincent and a younger burgundy tiefling girl. The servant lead them to a large drawing room where he told them to wait for Ruben to arrive, before stepping out. At this point it clicked in Valeyo and Cassini's brain that this wealth might be the result of a deal most sinister.