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(You will not be able to use your companions for this quest.)Morning comes, showering you in a brilliant white light from the nearby window frame. Completely refreshed from a good nights rest, you hop out of bed ready to get back to work. Collecting your belongings from the sparsely furnished room, you head back downstairs to the common area, where you see a few patrons idly sipping their drinks and listening to a gorgeous female elf in a long sleeved green dress singing in her native tongue about Elven heroes of legend. Pausing for a moment on the stairwell to listen to her, you see the owner of the Drunken Dragon Boger waddling about the establishment chatting excitedly with newcomers, while a young female dwarf moves about the room refilling tankards and cleaning tables.
Waving your hand over at the dwarf to get his attention, you wait for Boger to make his way over towards you. "Was there something else I could do for you laddie?" You pull out the contract from your pocket. "Do you know where can I find Darogar?" The dwarf scratches his bald scalp, before replying, "Well now, you can usually find the Captain up by the guard post, near the gates to the inner City. May I ask why yer lookin for him? You're not thinking of actually hunting down this beast yerself, are you?"
"I might be, why? What do you know about this creature?" The dwarf leans forward as if to whisper in your ear conspiratorially. "Word is that Captain Darogar sent an entire company of our finest black shield infantry into the forest of Darkmoth, each warrior a battle tested fighter with years of experience behind them, all of them dead. Food for the beast. All except for Torboth and some mercenary scout named Karstone." Karstone... that name sounds familiar. "Where can I find them?" The dwarf rubs the back of his neck and shrugs his shoulders. "Torboth is probably still holed up in the infirmary, but you won't get much out him. The young dwarfling has lost half his mind, screaming about some nonsense to do with demons, as for the damn redling he got piss drunk one night and attacked a city guard. He's probably still down in the dungeon."
Nodding your head in thanks to the dwarf, you turn to leave, when he grips you by the arm. "I'd reconsider whatever it is your thinking of doing lad. A lot of lives have already been spent going after this creature. Your doesn't need to be one of them." Seeing the fear in his eyes, you nod your head again and walk out of the tavern into the busy streets. The dwarf's words immediately dampening your mood.
Trying hard to shrug off this heavy sense of foreboding, you turn left and join a party of well worn travelers in drab grey cloaks heading up towards the inner city gates above you. Guarded by two large towers the gates stand abreast of a small hill that leads to the heart of the city. Fingers itching for some action,you lightly caress your weapon as you walk over to one of the dwarven guards stationed by the gates. The dwarf a rough looking sort, with badly scratched plate armor, piercing black eyes and a short black beard. Watches your approach and unslings his war axe from his belt. Smiling at his reaction, you move your hand away from your weapon. "I'm looking for Darogar. I was told he'd be up here." The dwarf stares at you mockingly,before hocking nosily and spitting at your feet. "And what be yer business with him."
Clenching your teeth to stop yourself from doing anything stupid you reply through gritted teeth, "That is between him and me."
The dwarf leers at you and pats the axe in his arm as if it were like a pet. You stare at the dwarf and he stares right back at you. His eyes gleaming with amusement, while your trying hard to keep your anger at bay. Minutes pass by and you've just about had enough of the dwarf's insolence, when a tall well-built warrior in ornate plate armor not meant for battle materialises out of the tower behind the guard reading a piece of parchment. "Captain Darogar?" The sturdy dwarf looks up to reveal a hardened and weathered face."Yes?" Stepping past the annoyed city guard, you walk over to Darogar. "I'm here about the contract for Broken Bone."
"Are ye now, thought we'd run out of fools willing to risk their necks. So what is you want to know?" You think for a moment, before asking for more information about the forest of Darkmoth, the trolls and the giant. Darogar nods his head at your questions and gestures for you to follow him back into the guardhouse, down a few steps and into a small windowless room with a desk and some half melted candles. Taking a seat behind the table, the dwarfs nods his head in the direction of an empty seat. "I can't tell you much about forest, the place has been abandoned for years by the Lords of Barenter. And before you ask me why, all I remember of that time. Are stories of travelers, caravans and patrols disappearing into the forest never to be seen from again, but that was way back before there were even sightings of the giant. Mark my words there's something else going on in the forest."
You stare thoughtfully up at the ceiling, not much of a surprise there in regards to the dangers in the forest, but you still need more information. You look back down and lean forward in your seat. "Can I speak to Karstone? I was told he was being held in the dungeon." A look of revulsion crosses over the Captain's face as he stands back up, his eyes glowing hotly. "No, you can't! The damn coward not only abandoned his brothers and sisters in battle! He got drunk while on duty! And refuses to tell anyone what happened inside the forest! Let him rot I say!" Surprised by Darogor's venomous reaction to your question. You look away from the dwarf's fuming red face.
It seems those two have some unresolved history that needs to be taken care of. It's the only reasonable explanation for such a sudden outburst. Still the information Karstone could provide might be invaluable to your quest. So it might be worth trying to pay the fine in order to have him released into your custody.
Seeing as the Captain is unwilling to discuss things any further with you. You head out of the room and back up the steps, where you come across a well-stocked armory. Inside is a young male dwarf with wide shoulders sitting behind a counter taking stock of inventory. Hearing your approach the dwarf looks up with a bored expression. "This armory is only available for the City Guards. Please leave."
Leaving the armory, you exit the guardhouse and take a look at the four suns still hanging high in the sky. Plenty of daylight left, better get moving. Ignoring the dark looks from the dwarven guard you enter the city streets and head back down the way you've come. Your mind filled with thoughts of the dangers that lie ahead, when you finally reach the outer gates you scan your surroundings searching for your companions.
With no more daylight to waste, you head out of the City and move northward. All the while hoping that Lorna and Gorrack would miraculously appear by your side. Not that they were particularly good company to have around, but at least they were experienced warriors who could hold their own in a fight. Sighing heavily, you ignore the mouth watering scent of food from the nearby stalls and pick up the pace. From what you've gathered from the travelers on the road, Darkmoth is a couple miles to the north.
Soon the noise and smells of the City are long behind you, when you notice a grey streak of smoke wafting up into the air not too far from you. Wary of danger, you ready your weapon and continue north, and see a crumbling dwarven town appear just over the horizon. Judging by the massive dents in the buildings, it looks like the giant has been here. Carefully you make your way towards the deserted town, avoiding the piles of rubble and debris that litter the roadside. And pause to gaze around at the smashed in stone buildings, pools of congealing blood and heavy footprints that mark the surface. The giant has definitely been here and recently too by the looks of it.
As if sensing your presence in town, six large, hulking, green skinned creatures with bark like skin, wearing loincloths burst out of the buildings around you, screaming their warcries to come charging at you with their clubs. Avoiding a blow meant for your skull, you hack your weapon into the leg of the nearest troll. Dropping the ghastly creature to the ground, when you feel a club bash into your side. Rolling with the powerful blow, you get up gingerly rubbing your side, hoping nothing is broken, before sprinting back into the fight. Swirling in between the slow moving trolls you chop and hack away at their tough outer carapaces, while dodging most of their attacks. It takes some time, but by the time your done with them. You have six trolls writhing upon the ground, their limbs cut off twitching beside them and strange green blood oozing out of their wounds. (- 80 Health Points) With no way to end the creature's lives without wasting a combust ball or elemental charge on them. You quickly follow the giant's tracks north east and soon reach the edges of the forest Darkmoth.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
The forest darkened by immense trees that loom high into the sky above you, block out the sunlight to give the forest almost nightmarish quality that sends chills down your spine. Licking your lips nervously at the feeling your being watched. You edge your way into the forest and create a small gap between you and the giants footsteps, thinking it would be a good idea to not stumble into this creature unprepared. You then creep your way forward through the forest's thick, heavy brown foliage, your eyes following the giant's tracks easily.
When you feel your feet disappear out from under you. For a split second you hang in the air, before plummeting into a hole in the ground. (- 60 Health Points)Bleeding and badly bruised from the steep fall, you grimace and slowly get back up. Gritting your teeth, you dig your fingers into the soil and make the long arduous climb up out of the pit.
Blood boiling at the cowardly trap the trolls have laid out for you. You press on, your eyes carefully scanning the forest to make sure there aren't any more hidden surprises for you. After travelling for several hours you take a break and rest your back up against a solid tree (+5 Health Points), when you hear the distinct crackle of footsteps just as a large party of trolls comes into view. The trolls much smaller than the ones you encountered back at the town are hauling the broken and limp corpses of dwarves across their shoulders, while excitedly talking to each other. Hand clenched around your weapon, you wait for the trolls to pass you by, before breathing a sigh of relief. Best get moving again.
Ears pricked for any sounds, you continue along the path giant has taken and feel eyes upon your neck. Acting purely upon instinct, you throw yourself to the side as a club whistles past you to bang into a tree, showering you both in leaves. Growling in frustration at its near miss, the brutish green skinned beast launches a series of strikes with his club, driving you backwards. Careful to avoid bumping into the trees, you search for an opening in the troll's aggressive assault and lunge forward to stab the creature in the chest. Your weapon not sharp enough to pierce the troll's tough hide get's stuck. (If you have elemental weapon equipped, you may discharge it to reduce the amount of damage you receive by 5.)
The troll howling in pain from the strike, rips the weapon free and tosses it aside, before coming at you again. Clipping you across the back and breaking a few ribs. Angry at how this fight is going, you scream and spit at the creature. Leaping forward to punch it hard in it's big ugly chin, dazing it for a brief second. Using that time, you sprint over to your fallen weapon and pick up, just as the troll charges at you again. With little time to think, you position yourself by the tree to wait for the troll to get closer, before pressing the butt of your weapon up against the base of the tree and watching the troll slam full force into the weapon, impaling itself. (-80 Health Points)
Relieved at your close call with death. You shove the dying troll backwards to land flat on it's back. Green blood spewing from it's cracked chest, place your foot on it's stomach and wiggle your weapon free.
Breathing harshly from your exertions, you think about resting up for a bit, but quickly decide against it. Far too risky, especially with so many trolls roaming the forest. With no choice, but to continue on, you tend to your wounds as best you can and march through the forest, when see a huge opening in the ground where the giant's footprints disappear down into. Taking a long deep breath to ready yourself for what is to come, you swiftly crossover out into the clearing and enter the underground cave, the strong stench of death floating up to meet you as you walk inside.
The cave quite dark with hundreds of stalagmites hanging dangerously above you and a trail of shattered bones that look like they've been here for years take you downward into the bowels of the world, when all of a sudden the ground lurches beneath your feet, grumbling and moaning. Stilling your racing heart at the sudden noise, you wipe the sweat beading on your forehead, before heading deeper into the cave, which gradually opens out into an extensive underground cavern.
As your eyes adjust to the darkness, you catch your first glimpse of the monstrous beast, sitting atop a pile of bones sucking upon the bone marrow of what looks to be a leg. While beside him are row upon row of cages that hold dozens of emaciated prisoners stripped of all their armor and clothing. Watched by five savage trolls that stare hungrily into the cages, their bright yellow eyes glowing in blackness. Decorating the sides of the great cavern are stalagmites with the chained bodies of dwarves, redlings, minotaurs and elves swaying side to side. Their lifeless bony bodies, long since drained of all life. Drowning the ground beneath them in a swirl of redness that darkens the surface.
Your eyes shift back to the giant's turned back and guess that the creature was at least ten feet tall with pale blue skin that is marred by plenty of battle scars, long scraggly brown beard that reaches its waist and a lean face that looks like it hasn't been fed in years. Bare down to it's waist, the creature looks extremely powerful with a massive warhammer not far out of reach, resting upon a stone.
2. Since your a fairly decent shot with ranged weapons. Do you use the crossblade to lure the trolls and giant out into the tight confines of the tunnel, where you can then use a combust ball to bring down the tunnel on top of them? (Need Crossblade and Combust ball)
Ready to fight, you unstrap the crossblade from your back, kneel down and stare down the sights. Elevating the crossblade slightly for the drop in trajectory, you slow your breathing and squeeze the trigger. A bolt zips through the air to punch into the one of the trolls from behind and immediately begin re-loading the crossblade. Howls of rage echo up through the chamber, followed by heavy footsteps pounding into the ground.
Looking up you see all five trolls charging towards you, their yellow beaded eyes clouded with hate and faces twisted up with rage. You raise your crossblade to take one down, when Broken Bone reels up to his feet. Shaking the ground beneath you, destroying your aim. Gritting your teeth you fire anyway, wounding one of the troll's badly with a bolt to the neck, knocking the creature backwards. Spinning on your heels you race back the way you've come, the ground quaking beneath you and stop. Re-loading the crossblade swiftly you wait for a pig ugly troll to pop it's head into view, before firing a bolt to send another of the tree loving scum into the abyss to join its brethren.
Broken Bone blasts into the tunnel right behind you, it's wild blue eyes staring at you with an intensity that weakens your nerves as it lashes out at you with its warhammer to force you back. Edging away from the blood crazed beast, you wait for the three remaining trolls pour into the tunnel behind it, before whipping out the combust ball and tossing it with all your strength up at the ceiling full of stalactites to explode in a bright burst of white light that showers down hundreds of stalactites in a thunderous roar. Killing the stunned trolls in the tunnel and grievously wounding the giant. Undeterred by its injuries the giant presses in to assault you.
With no choice, but to battle the creature toe to toe. You tap the second trigger on the side of the crossblade, a steel blade shoots out and the wings of the crossblade fold back in to create a sort of wrist guard. Dodging another powerful blow, you scramble forward to attack the giant's feet. Chopping and stabbing, when the giant's boot hammers into your gut, slamming you into the side of the tunnel, causing a stalactite to drop from the ceiling to smash into the ground right in front of you. Chest aching, you will yourself back up onto your feet as the giant rushes in for the killing blow, stalactites crashing down all around it at it's resounding footsteps and throw yourself to the side as the creature's warhammer plows into the tunnel's wall. Raining down more stalactites on you both, one clipping your shoulder and another slashing your arm open.
Your eyes briefly flicker back towards the exit and safety, when the giant comes barreling towards you, shaking loose a lot more stalactites. Dropping its warhammer, the creature swings at you with both fists. Caught off guard by the sudden change in tactic, a fist catches you hard in the chest to knock you backwards to bang into the rough surface. Body a mass of bruises, you shakily get back up to your feet and lurch towards the exit in a final bid for safety. The giant seeing your intent, chases after you. Mustering all your remaining energy, you whirl back around and sprint back towards the lumbering beast, breaking its stride and chopping your blade with all your strength into the creature's achilles heel, before sprinting out of the tunnel. Growling furiously, the giant crashes to its knee and brings down a hailstorm of stalactites that pummel the giant's body until finally it collapses.
Exhausted beyond belief, you drop to your knees to stare at the giant to make sure he's dead, before crumpling to the ground.
Battle Results
- 120 Health Points
Loot
Once your conscience again, you climb over the corpse of the dead giant and notice a black marking on the back of the it's bald head. Not sure what it means, you head into the cavern and release the prisoners from their cages, before heading back to the City where you meet up with Lorna and Gorrack, who apparently were searching the whole city for you. After you tell them about your quest, you head back over Captain Darogar for your reward. Astonished by your success the Captain awards you with 500 gold pieces from his own pocket and the Stone Heart of Galdispar a holy artifact (which allows you to slay high level demons and imbues you with power of rebirth should you die. However you can only be brought back one time with full Health.)
Contract Completed