BACKGROUND

Nearly a decade ago, a horde of mixed giants and goblinoids poured out of the Crytstalmist mountains,
laying waste to the peaceful country of Geoff. The people were driven forth, enslaved, or eaten, and death
and destruction was laid heavily upon every place.

Yet not all is lost. Having fled safely across the Stark Mounds and the Javan River, young Owen II, Duke in
Exile, has found many a sympathetic ear in the royal court of Keoland. Backed by the favor and ample
treasuries of High King Scotti, a great crusade is in the offing.

The Army of Retribution – a united force from Geoff, Keoland, Gran March, Bissel and Sterich – have
succeeded in securing a foothold around Hochoch, in the Downlands of the Blue Oyt River. From within
the ruined city the Ram’s Horn calls: Rise men of Sheldomar! Drive back the oppressor! Take back what
has been stolen! The Liberation of Geoff has begun!

PARTY START
Tonight, you find yourself in the muck and the rain outside the Royal war-tent. The High King has
summoned you to join him in his camp. To refuse would risk the wrath of the most powerful monarch in
the western Flanaess, and so you are here.

“The King will see you now.” Says a commander in full field-plate. He collects your weapons and leads you
inside the liveried pavilion.

High King Scotti sips wine from a golden cup whist seated in a replica of the vaunted lion-throne. At his
right hand stands a fresh-faced knight, Owen the Duke in-Exile. Curled at Scotti’s feet is a massive white-
furred lion, snoring contentedly. The King regards you with hard, grey eyes as servants ply you with linen
towels and warm drinks.

The King clears his throat and speaks “For many years I have allowed you to go hither and yon, to this
dungeon or that, living off the hospitality of my people and growing rich from the spoils of your exploits.
But now is the hour where you must serve me or face the harsh consequences of my displeasure.

Very soon this assemblage of patriots will cross the River Oyt and make war to reclaim the Grand Duchy
from these miscreant giants. In order to ensure our fleet-passage, you are hereby conscripted into the
vanguard of our forces. Acting as my personal deputies, I command you to deliver a sharp rebuke to these
wicked brutes!”

Duke Owen hands King Scotti a wet scroll. “My scouts tell me that a certain chief of Ogres, Mogthrasir, is
often found within the ruins of Pregmere. He is the principle slave monger of the Hill Giants, whose terrible
fortress you shall presently assault. From Mogthrasir you must discern the location of the Steading of the
Hill Giant Chief.

This chief, one Nosra, is a grossly fat and thoroughly despicable villain, sly and vicious, loving ambush and
backstabbing. You will infiltrate the fortress, slay Nosra and his lieutenants, leaving the Hill Giants
leaderless and in disarray. Furthermore, I expect you to find some clue which will lead to the discovery of
the outposts of the more formidable giants of frost and fire.

The perils will no doubt be plentiful, but the rewards will be ample and opulent. I caution you to expect
the presence of some secret force; the sinister hand that guides this unholy alliance. My magician tells me
that this stone will allow us to stay in contact (receive sending stones). You will undertake to leave at
once.”

House Rules
1 death save (standard for us)

Notes
Note-taking not necessarily needed, but would recommend that we keep a “Kill Counter”

Characters
There’s six of them, we will use four at a time and designate a fifth for when we got five guys

Level-Progression
Start at level 7 and gain 1 level at each of the next 2 sessions (level 9 at start of 4th session)

Warning!
These adventures were designed for strategic play, so some areas of the giant settlements are very
dangerous or even an overwhelming challenge. Furthermore, foes act intelligently, calling for
reinforcements if necessary. What seems to be a manageable situation can become a very deadly one
quickly.

Within each stronghold you have two goals:

- slay the giant leaders
- discover the location of the next dungeon