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DMs Note: Based on a conversation I had with Morgeruat last night I am going to assume that the protective actions he described to me will be successful. As I am working against limited time within which I can post, I am going to put this up and allow him to fill in whatever details he deems necessary for his own roleplaying with the understanding communicated here that actions to simply remain concealed and observe will be successful – leaving the are, of course, is another issue [img]graemlins/blueblink.gif[/img]
Terrakis
Clearly there has been another here, for the slaughter of these humanoids is recent and the lingering stink of a magic cloud still hangs within the air. Perhaps this opponent still remains in the area and perhaps not although it is doubtful Euryale or her warriors are so skilled as to hunt down an opponent so obviously able to attack with force and surprise. They are confused and as they move about in puzzled seeking after a foe who may or may not be present, confusion becomes tension and even produces a trace of fear within its uncertainty. These are things to be exploited.
Heavy thudding sounds and what seem to be muffled groans cut suddenly short drift up from the cavern leading to her lair. Even as attention focuses in that direction, the head of a grimlock champion bounces crazily along the cavern floor from the opposite direction. Fear now is the dominant note within the mounting confusion, and such fear is only heightened as a scream is punctuated by the sound of bones rudely breaking from yet a third direction. Savage as such creatures as these are, they are difficult to coordinate when confused, especially when that one who rules them is accustomed to using surprise and terror as her own weapons. As the grimlock warriors mass their forces back near their mistress, it is apparent that no fewer than 10 have been lost to what stands within the distant shadows.
Euryale hisses orders to her warriors but such will do neither them nor her any good. His eyes fix upon the snarling group of shadow mastiffs which rings her and he steps forward. His step, however, is not one that carries his body forward along the hard stone of the cavern floor, but one which leads from the darkness in which he stands to that within which his prey is hiding. Emerging in the midst of the hounds he kicks them aside and seizes the surprised Euryale by the throat, stopping just short of crushing it as he lifts the hissing creature with an unhurried movement until he might see into her eyes and she might see what is to be found within his own. As he does so other giants emerge from the deep shadows of the cavern, ringing the helpless Euryale and her forces. They meet no resistance however for the hounds have scattered and crouch whimpering at the approach of the giants. Likewise all desire for combat has fled from the frightened limbs of the warriors who seem numb with fear.
Indeed, there is that about all of these giants which radiates command and power, and there such is even moreso the case with their leader. He stares into the blazing eyes of that one who reduces her prey to stone and he holds her gaze with the sheer willfulness within his own. The snakes that form her mane bite madly into his arm, filling it with their venom but he stands unmoved and unbothered by either biting or poison still fixing his gaze on Euryale’s eyes He says nothing these long minutes nor do his fellows. Finally he nods his head slightly and a dozen mighty arms seize their weapons and slay the frightened grimlocks with Terrakis simply staring into Euryale’s eyes and squeezing the breath from her throat as he holds her aloft. When the slaughter is finished, he finally speaks in a voice that rings through these caverns, “None shall contest our claim!” With these words he tosses the serpent-maned creature rudely aside and the Giants of Shadow lay claim to the whimpering hounds and gather the petrified adventurers.
Saithele - The giants are still nearby. One thing that is quite clear is that the aura that Terrakis radiates is at least as strong and intimidating as that of any dragon – possibly moreso. Welcome to your nightmare......
DMs Note - No one should assume that these statues will remain intact. The odds of at least some of them being destroyed are very good. If we haven't heard from you about your character now would be a very good time to speak up......
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