Within seconds, Fobias and Trace take care of their respective Scarlet Walkers, while Krask continues to provide ranged attack support on the ice devil, Gamigan. Now aware of the monster’s resistances, Fyn is fairly limited in the ways he can provide support. He attempts to confuse Gamigan, but is unsuccessful.
Pressed in on all sides, Gamigan exudes a fear effect that doesn’t affect Barnaby before moving on to pin Fobias against the wall. His icy spear is devastating when it hits, as the ice slows down anything it comes into contact with. But now he is surrounded, and there doesn’t seem much hope for him.
A blast of Magic Missiles, some arrows, and some good old-fashioned Smite Evil later, and Gamigan is nothing more than a corpse on the ground. Thanks to Trace, it’s regenerative abilities don’t come into effect. Another one of Karzoug’s agents is defeated.
The party sees the other Scarlet Walkers encroaching on their position, so they quickly collect the spoils. In total, they loot the +1 frost returning spear, another Sihedron Ring, and four additional Sihedron Medallions. They exit the coliseum grounds via the door behind the seating area.
This door opens into a outer concourse that seems to run along the perimeter of the building. Giant voices can be heard approaching, which sounds like the perfect opportunity to setup a quick ambush. Trace goes invisible and waits in the hallway while the rest of the party waits in the room in case combat is eminent.
Two giants lumber down the hallway, completely unaware that their lives are about to end. Trace hacks out from his hiding place and the party rushes out. They swarm the giants, who don’t even get a chance to act before they are turned into lifeless piles of flesh.
The party continues around the concourse, eventually making their way down to the ground floor. Krask notices a lot of giant activity now that the city is awake and alive. There are several giants pulling massive barges of stone and tools towards the northern end of the city, along the Golden Road.
As he watches, there is a pack of medium-sized humanoids that crosses in front of a band of giants. A heavily tattooed giant shouts out at them and pushes one to the ground. He appears to be ready to inflict harm when the humanoid pulls a medallion out from underneath his shirt and holds it up defensively.
This gives the party an idea; perhaps they can openly display their medallions and rings to walk through the city streets unaccosted?
Trace uses the Sihedron Ring to alter his armor and changes his holy symbol to one of Thremyr. All together, the party walks out along the Golden Road, surrounded by lamias, giants, and other creatures. Their destination is the ornate building with the pagodas and onion-topped towers.
It seems like they’re making it through, despite people seemingly whispering amongst themselves as the party walks by. But the tattooed giant notices them and calls them over. He hasn’t seen them around here before, so they had better explain who they are and what they’re doing.
Barnaby hatches a lie about being sent down by Karzoug to check in on the status of the construction. But does the party have a writ? Barnaby claims he doesn’t need one because their Rings should be proof enough.
This giant looks angry, but eventually concedes that the party may be fine, but they should still have some visible writ so that they don’t have to get stopped every five minutes. He asks them to follow him to a makeshift building that serves as something like a construction headquarters. From within, the giant produces a folded writ which he gives to Barnaby.
As Barnaby opens it, he sees a second, smaller piece of paper folded within. It’s hastily scrawled, but the message is clear: “You’re not who you seem. Karzoug must pay.”
Has the party found an unlikely ally? What other secrets lie in Xin-Shalast? How much can you sell ice-eyes for?