A list of the characters at this time:

Great Scott, a Half-Orc Lord of the 10th rank.
Altru, a Human Lama of St Cuthbert
Caier, a Human Magician
Carl, a Human Theurgist
Bhotan, a Human Conjurer
Crexis, a Human Esquire
Red, a Human Canon of St Cuthbert
Valxian, a High Elven Initiate of the 6th Circle
Rhonda, a Grey Elven Lama/Guide/Enchantress of Corellon Larethian
Gareth, a Human Master Thief of the 10th rank.

And, Tovena'ar, a Grey Elven Apparitionist.

When I came back some weeks ago, the party was missing several faces and had a few new ones, both in and out of character.

Firstly, four players had decided to quit the game. What I learned was that, with the introduction of some new players and their newbie antics, they had collectively decided to throw in the towel and find a game elsewhere. Bob, player of Leia, Carl, player of Kenneth, David, player of Cared, and George, player of Coleth, were the more serious players of the group, always more concerned with “getting the job done” and “Serious role-playing”. They were always more quiet, and, it seemed to me, rather disapproving of some of the more comically-minded antics of our group. It seems that the influx of newbies and the consequences thereof have been the last straw, and so we are down four veteran players and four very powerful characters, including most of our front-line. From here on out I tried to have ore of a command role in the party and offering suggestions for plans.

As the DM is setting up this session one of players brings out a number of painted figs and relates a story which I had apparently missed a few sessions ago, being late. Apparently while on point Hwonalon found some sort of room with a dwarf in it, and killed him. One of the other players came up just when the dwarf was killed and asked if he needed any help. Hwonalon answered no, mentioned that the door to the next room was locked, and that he (the other player) should go get the rest of the party. When the party arrives, the door is shut, and locked, and Hwonalon is nowhere to be found. He comes out several minutes later, and announces that there was nothing inside the room…. The DM laughs and describes in detail the loot Hwonalon is carrying, ranging from a large hammer to a suit of armor to several sacks of gold to a massive shield big enough for a giant. The party is not amused. In any case this story was related to me by a players new figs; one normal sized gnome and a Nodwick-style character, which is how he pictured the gnome in his head.

(Speaking of Nodwick if you havn't heard of it go to www.Nodwick.com. Has some great webcomics and the guy posts alot of interesting internet links.)

I was a little late for the next session, so when I got there the party was exploring a room filled with sarcophagi. A hole in the wall was found, with Valxian, Rhonda, and Kenneth exploring it, as the hole was too small for characters with armor to go through. Tovena'ar was with Great Scott next to the double doors when a small party of humans and black skinned elves appear. "Who are you? What are you doing in our lair?"

This game I've been playing in has had some really weird stuff going on. It's been about six weeks since the last session, however that will be rectified by this Friday. Here's the next chapter in this story, which I must admit, will come to an end by mid-august, which comes down to two or three more sessions. I will be heading to college, and since it is about a five hour trip I won't be coming back home to play.

August, 2009

At that moment the DM asks for Tovena’ars group to roll for initiative… and only that group. Just for clarity, we all tell him what we are doing at that exact moment: Tovena’ar is fumbling around in his robes, Duorddon is right behind me, and Hwonalon and the shaman are arguing about something in the back row. Great. Two out of four PCs will be sitting out this fight.

Jeez, this was one long session. 5:30 PM on a Friay all the way to I think 4:00 am the next morning. there had to be about two dozen giants in the Great Hall, plus eleven or so of us and 200 orcs. Even with orcs, 200 allied warriors is nothing to sneeze at. Burl brought along three huge boxes stuffed full of Warhammer Fantasy Orcs and Goblins, along with the usual giant repertoire.

In case you're wondering, our D&D game uses miniatures and a small map to show the dungeon and where our characters our. It's a little like a game of Miniature Warfare.

http://www.otherworld.me.uk/gallery.html

Otherworld is a pretty good, albiet expensive, store of minis. (albiet, some of them are slightly Not safe For Work. Enter if you will.) Scroll down about halfway to find the giants. Mr. Hill Giant is the one that looks like Abe Lincoln.

My miniature isn't on there... one of these day's I'll upload a pic of it.

Truly the Hill Giant fort was not particularly tough. We had enough clerics and fighters to take the hits, and a 9th level wizard that could take down large groups. My own spell list at the time was fairly limited, Phantasmal Forces being my main spell. I could combine it with Audible Glamour, but that proved to be a tricky combination.

I guess it would have been harder if we did not have the Rod of Security. Alas for Burl's Giants.

Bugbears have always kind of annoyed me. They share this place of honor with the dreaded Owlbear.

Well, now, here we are again.

June, 2009

Giants have long been a mighty foe in human mythology, particularly of northern Europe. Surtr, of the Norse wielded a flaming sword to cleae the world in twain at Ragnarök. He was king of the Jotunns, the Norse Giants, and though he was depicted as swarthy and wielding flame, most giants were seen as smaller, and more associated with the cold and arctic. English giants such as Jack and the Beanstock have long permeated the British Isles, even to the Irish, Welsh, and Scots. Finn Maccooul was one such giant of Ireland. The Fomorians were an ancient race of Irish giants that populated the island before Man came.