Episode 28 - Riddle me this.

The ground trembled as the giant stone carved throne lurched backwards, rock grinding over rock, to reveal a spiral staircase, carved into the very depths of the mound, it's twisting form descending into the darkness. 

Tor gathered the rest of the party together and cast "Pass without Trace" to give everyone a +10 bonus to their stealth. 

Those with Dark vision lead those without slowly down the twisting staircase. Each step having to be climbed. As they reached the last turn a blue glow cast a dim light. Shayde left Aldrick momentarily to sneak down the last few steps to scout where the blue glow was coming from. 

The staircase ended and in front of Shayde was a long passageway. On the walls on either side there were blue glowing runes. The passageway was crossed by a second passage and there were more glowing runes. In total their appeared to be 8 sets of glowing runes in a language that Shayde didn't comprehend but that she new looked exactly like those up above. In the middle of the cavern where the two passageways intersected there was a large coffin 15-20ft long bound with numerous chains each secured by a large heavy iron lock. Eight in total.

Eight runes, eight locks. Shayde shuddered and gave a little prayer to Kelemvor, then she quickly and silently returned to the others waiting at the stairs to report what she'd seen. With no immediate threat the party lit torches and proceeded to enter the chamber. 

Tor and Ueko were able to decipher each of the runes as they were indeed written in the language of the giants. Each rune translated into a single word: Life, Death, Dragon, War, Wind, Mountain, Ice & Fire.

At the end of the two passageways were discovered openings into four separate chambers. Within each chamber were 2 huge iron braziers. 

Closer inspection of the huge coffin revealed a further inscription. 

"To challenge the Raven Father you must snatch a coin from a sleeping wyrm; Against the blowing wind, stand firm. Climb a mountain with a stone in your shoe; On little feet, death comes for you. Be the arrow that starts the war; Let life’s blood fall till it falls no more. Feel the cold deep inside, Warm your heart at the fireside."

And so the party set to work finding answers to the riddle. In the "wind/mountain" chamber our adventurer's were set  upon by a swarm of ravens. The riddles were answered by dropping the corresponding item into the brazier and one by one the braziers in the chambers burst into flame. But a cold flame that gave off no heat. At the same time that a brazier was lit one of the large heavy iron locks on the coffin in the centre of the chamber became unlocked and the heavy chains would separate and rattle to the cold hard stone floor, echoing throughout the chamber as they hit the ground.

It was the final chamber and the "fire" rune. Tor looked at the last brazier. Taking a deep breath she conjured forth a magical flame and dropped it in. The flames in each brazier roared with a ferocious intensity. The runes on the walls pulsed brighter and brighter until suddenly everything went dark. The final lock opened. The last chain sled off the coffin, rattling to the floor. A fierce wind carrying the echo of a hundred voices blew through the chambers and swirled about as the braziers and the runes roared and pulsed back into life with a new brighter light. The wind died down and as each of our adventurers uncovered their eyes their gazes were met by a huge Frost Giant Wraith like being standing were the coffin had been. 

The temperature plummeted further still as the Raven Father glared down on those who had disturbed his slumber. Initiative was rolled and combat commenced once again. 

Despite it's huge size and powerful attacks our heroes were able to surround the raven father and hit him with multiple attacks. 

Ueko's great axe sliced down but being the closest became the target of the Raven Fathers rage and she fell, knocked unconscious from a heavy blow. Grom cast his Hunter's Mark but due to the creatures frightening presence he had to make ranged attacks with his crossbow. Unable to get closer to bring his axe to bear. Dishani summoned forth a torrent of "Eldritch Blasts" Tor also succumbed to the giants aura of fear and was prevented from entering melee combat but it didn't stop her using her grey back of tricks to summon forth a beast ally. Both Aldrick & Talden used the cover of the adjoining chambers to launch a barrage of ranged spells from the cover of the chambers. 

And so it was again, just as it had been so many times, our heroic rogue Shayde performed outstanding acrobatic manoeuvres to get into just the right place to deliver crushing high damage sneak attacks to finally defeat this huge undead giant. 

Tor, released from the grip of the raven fathers fear, wax able to administer healing to Ueko and those others who required it. 

With the Raven Father bested, the tomb of Jarlmoot gave up it's treasure to Ueko. A large ornate horn. It was obviously magical in nature but they would have to wait to see exactly what it did. 

So what now? Strange visions had brought this party together in this ancient place, but what would they do now. To start with the would set camp back up on the summit. A good vantage point to watch for anyone or anything approaching. And rest. Tomorrow they would return to their course to seek the dark duchess. These newcomers had certainly proved themselves capable but just who are they..........and can they be trusted.............?

To be continued............