Ravos as always is often alongside his wife the Lady Varya Tiller, in matters pertaining to the city, and it is known they share many common ideas on how to combat the Giants and other threats to the respectable order and prosperity of the city. He was also seen to add his voice to her comments to Defender captains. He speaks after a long while listening to the address by Varya, and any intentions expressed by the Defender officers. "It's clear to anyone there's a level of organisation and perhaps even unity among giantkin in the region, of late. And they have demonstrated suitable siege-making capability demonstrating their ability to organise to build centres of siegecraft around what is clearly a skilled cadre of engineers or artillerymen. We can indeed push into giant lands, as their posture indicates probing efforts, and practice of certain tactics. I would suspect this is solidify an element of their tribes as deserving leadership for a kind of future action against civilisation in this region." "There are certain options possible, We radically improve our magical defences on the city borders and walls in order to destroy magically or via our works any attempt to build a siege camp including the ability to outrange any known device. We occupy and build strong keeps along the border as a line of defence, involving multiple layers and techniques As I said at a recent guardsman's funeral, we seek to unify under bonds of mutual defence the towns in the region." And we turn our beach-deployment of defenders, into a far more fortified and draining influence on all giant lines of communication, supply and scouting." "Those are the simplest options, anything more complicated we shall have to speak in private, but i call upon all Dwarven kin, and any carpenters or masons who don't yet work within the guild to seek me out as the Daedalus Guild representative, as truly your people have a long tradition in combatting these foes. However, there are more extreme options, and more diplomatic options. However those are unlikely to be well received by many though as i said a moment ago, there are many options available. We can act with the command of the King, or those of common interest can try with consultation with those such as Lady Varya, seek to resolve the threat alone.." [For those guildmembers, defenders, friends or guards who know Ravos best, perhaps they have a hint that he has something completely different in mind... He then heads off to consult with the current councillors and guilds to gather their thoughts as to the threat]

The following song is heard in various taverns throughout Peltarch. Some say that it was first heard in the Pissing Goat, but as Noemi tells it, she heard it somewhere else. The song starts off with a steady intro on a mandolin or lyre. It start with a background and sung lightly In the heart of Peltarch, the jewel of the land, There ruled a young king with a scepter in his hand. His name was whispered through many cobblestone streets, A tale of lavish excess, and opulent elites He wore silken robes, adorned with jewels and gold, While the common folk starved and shivered in the cold. His feasts were very grand, and wine flowed like streams, But little did they know, it was all built on dreams. At this point the song picks up tempo and sung louder (Chorus) Oh, Thalaman the king, with a crown of deceit, You danced in royal halls, your subjects at your feet. A generation lost, their blood in the soil, As you reveled in pleasures, wrapped in silk and foil. Again it switches back to the quiet, sung narration The war drums beat, and young men marched away, Their dreams of valor, their hopes held at bay. You toasted their bravery, and raised the goblets high, But their sacrifice reflected in the tear-streaked sky. Your palace walls echoed with laughter and good cheer, While widows and orphans wept, and mothers shed their tears. The treasury bled, drained by lavishness, Yet you danced through the night, unaware of distress. It picks up beat like the first chorus, with audience participation welcome (Chorus) Oh, Thalaman the king, with a crown of deceit, You danced in royal halls, your subjects at your feet. A generation lost, their blood in the soil, As you reveled in pleasures, wrapped in silk and foil. (Chorus Repeat) Oh, Thalaman the king, with a crown of deceit, You danced in royal halls, your subjects at your feet. A generation lost, their blood in the soil, As you reveled in pleasures, wrapped in silk and foil. Back to a quiet ending And so goes the saga of Thalaman the king, His legacy tarnished, praises we no longer sing. May the next ruler learn from his deeds and our strife, To lead with compassion, and not a lavish life.

It is good to sleep in my own bed once more. Much to think upon. I have written to my monastery in Damara once more. My Hawk and Dove wrote back and sent a pair of manuals to advance my training. Hawk sent me a series of exercises and maneuvers to advance my training in air fighting. I have been spending time observing and sometimes fighting the griffins and giant eagles outside Mavalgard. I will obviously not abandon my progress in Earth, but he is right. It is time to work on the Air element. Dove sent me a rare book translated into Chardic called The Metaphysics from the infamous plane hopping monk and sage Aristotle. That Heron lent her translator and several script writers to produce a copy for me is… overwhelming. I must send her a jar of that honey I found produced but that Druid of Leth in Mavalgard. It will take me some years to master its teaching. But it is good to have something to while away the winter nights in my room. I am making progress at last in working leather. I thought I was at my limits until another master suggested using magical enhancements to boost my clarity while practicing on krenhar hides. I have been scouring the caves of the Gypsy forests for more. I fell once more to pride, and a pair of mages attached to a group of formidable bandits. I do recall the Chultan warrior Ax implored Tempus to take him to his wife and daughter while we were together in a gray place. And a song I hadn’t remembered before. I think my mother sang it to me when I was with her. I hope the voice singing was hers. It was beautiful. I can’t picture her face, as it was bathed in the brightest of sunbeams. A gift from Lathander. And my rebirth from that place was… difficult. But that little precious fragment of my time before the monastery… I need to focus prayer on the Lord of Light.. There were many in our expedition, a new dwarven face… hard shells and locust hordes… vermin lords. Mastodons. And a shard of memory about fighting a vortex of elements? Waking from a dream, more like.

Day..... I have lost track of how long I've been here.... it hasn't yet been a year, but it is certainly more than a month. In the monastery time meant little. Each day bled into the other. A corpse was brought in, we tended to it, recorded their name and sent it off to be buried or cremated. Everything none in near silence, the flicker of our hands enough to convey what needed to be said. So different from here... Yet I find myself reflecting on this since despite how close I was to our lord I was there, how steeped in his works.... I have never felt as close to him as I have here. Twice. Twice I have slipped from this mortal coil only to be shunted back to this plane, bleary eyed and dazed as I woke up on a cold hard floor, an unfamiliar voice speaking to me with concern. Lately I have felt closer to my lord, and I can feel his hand on my shoulder, guiding me. This has not been as clear as recently when I ventured out with a group past The Deadhorse Inn. It was a large group, perhaps that should have led me to be wary, but many were people I had ventured with before and I found competent. And they were for the most part. We managed to slay many things that left me feeling a cold sense of dread just looking at them, so perhaps it is ironic that it was mere bandits were our undoing. The first was killed effortlessly before our leader Ax called for a scout to venture forth and see what was ahead, one more adept at blending into the shadows. But we had grown complacent, Axer who had been acting as a... "scout" charged forward to try and lure them back much to the horror of our leader. As he came galloping back... they followed. Bandits. There were a decent number of them, maybe 10 in total, but things descended into chaos as the others met them in battle. From the back chanting rang out and Blue Raven and I sprinted forth to deal with it. That was our error. Magic rained down on us and I watched my companions fall before my sight was ripped from me with a horrible wave of divine power. Blinded I ran, I was no good to them in this state no I needed to retreat and heal somewhere safe before I could come back and help. But with no frame of reference on where I was, I didn't manage to make it far enough away and as I raised a bottle to my lips I felt 5 arrows pierce into my back. I fell, my consciousness fading as I could feel my lifes blood pour from me until I felt his touch once more, urging me to rise. Divine power flooded me and I found myself back on my feet, my eyes clear and my body hale. My god had seen fit to bring me back, to intercede on my behalf, and I wasn't about to waste this blessing granted to me. Slipping into the shadows I began to help gather my fallen companions. Two others had survived, Noemi who had heard the call for retreat and Axer who had seen he was at a disadvantage and fallen back. Together we returned with the bodies and as the other two had seemingly decided that they preferred the Triad, I lent Noemi most of what I had not expecting to see the gold again. As I am barred from that temple, I went to seeing to more mundane matters such as selling items so that we could at least have something from this. I will admit I was still in shock. Would not anyone be in shock when their god goes out of their way to make sure you are safe? Anyways I returned as quickly as I could and found that all had been safely returned, barring Ax who needed ministrations elsewhere. While there was some irritation at my selling of what I had I ignored it, at that moment nothing could drag me out of the feeling of awe I felt. Soon Ax returned as well and what else people had gathered was sold earing us each some small amount of coin. And with that I returned to Norwick, begin pulled aside by the dwarf, Maythor, who gave me a skinning knife he had offered me week previously. I spoke with Ax after and found it rather... insightful if troubling in some aspects. He is of a practical mind but seems to be ashamed of it, idolizing those foolish heroes that if left to run rampant would see us all dead to their ideals. I should most likely speak to him at a later date, I will admit I find him a valuable asset and it would be a shame to lose him to folly. (four names are written in bold each described in various graphic detail on their deaths)

Entry 8 I’ve accomplished so much in this violent land. I know I’ve gotten better. I’ve gone from, “Oh gods…GIANTS!”, and running before I get smooshed to beating them back with crossbow, shield and spear. I’ve gathered some items of magic through the spoils of evil doers and monsters, seen strange lands I’ve only imagined and made some friends. Some of the people here are very generous and just want to help. I’ll have to remember to be one of those people once I’ve made my way. Sometimes I feel like I’m taking advantage of them, and perhaps I am, but there will hopefully be a time where I can afford to give away some of the things that no longer matter to me, but matter to others a lot. A dwarven priest named Thorin has asked me to chronicle some pilgrimage of the dwarves. I’m not sure what this entails, but I told him that I would use this opportunity to pick up their language so that I may record it correctly. I have found the dwarves to be people of boisterous heart, and I look forward to this journey.

After a brief conversation with Thorin, General Theaon can be seen opening the entrance to the Legion Hall and allowing a group of Dwarves inside

The Narfell News Issue: March 14th, 2024 Frost Giants' Rampage Leaves Hin Hold Reeling In a series of harrowing events that have now concluded, frost giants wreaked havoc upon the serene landscape of Hin Hold, leaving devastation in their wake. Reports indicate that the giants were seen harvesting timber along the east banks of the Scar before launching a brutal assault on the peaceful town. During the attack, several Hin defenders valiantly stood against the towering invaders, but tragically, lives were lost, including at least one townsfolk, and livestock was mercilessly slaughtered. However, the community found a glimmer of hope in the form of Aldym Avhoste, a mounted hero whose skill with a great sword proved pivotal in repelling the giants' onslaught. Single-handedly, Aldym confronted and defeated the marauding giants, displaying unparalleled bravery and determination. Following the battle, he and two companions, Rika and another embarked on a daring quest to track the giants' origins, hoping to uncover the source of the looming threat. What if anything they may have discovered remains unknown. Though the immediate danger has passed, questions linger about what could have provoked the frost giants' aggression and what secrets may lie hidden in the lands beyond Hin Hold. The sudden appearance of these formidable creatures has sent shockwaves throughout the Nars, prompting concerns about the stability and security of the region. As the dust settles and the community mourns its losses, there is a palpable sense of unease lingering in the air. With uncertainty clouding the horizon, the people of the Nars brace themselves for whatever challenges may lie ahead. Stay tuned to The Narfell News for further updates and insights into this unfolding saga.