Editing Session 138 The Garrisons Respite

{{Session
|campaign=Echos of Lyhnn
|session_date=8 August 2025
|game_date=Evening to Morning, CY627
|synopsis=The party resumed their slow, arduous journey north in freezing conditions, suffering from exhaustion. Seeking shelter, they discovered a small fort and, after gaining entrance, learned of local fears regarding a Wizard and Giant. Departing at dawn with a guide, they pressed up into the mountains and soon spotted a giant-like figure ahead. As they attempted to cross a valley linked to the giants' origin, they were struck by an unexplained magical ice storm, forcing them toward the strange metal mountain.
|summary=
==== Continued from [[Session 137 Revenge of the Frost Giant]] ====

===The Grueling Journey North===
The party broke camp at their ruined cabin and resumed their slow, arduous journey through the re-intensifying snow and wintry cold. The frigid conditions immediately took their toll: [[Durmen]] and [[Leia]] both suffered **two levels of exhaustion**, while [[Balmaris]] and [[Nail]] suffered **one level of exhaustion**. The party was forced to rely on meager gear for warmth; Balmaris wore a yeti cloak, Nail wrapped himself in a bedroll, and Leia shared the Albert cloak from the first defeated giant. Egon, only having half a bedroll, was clearly suffering the most from the cold's effects.

As night began to fall after half a day of travel, they approached a welcome sight: the smoke of a campfire rising from a small wooden fortress along the road—the first sign of civilization since the cabin.

===A Reluctant Welcome===
The party cautiously approached the small, isolated **fort**, an advance garrison along the road as they pursued [[Lexanna Brightshore]]. After approaching the gate, they successfully bluffed the wary guards, convincing them that they were not there to fight but only sought entrance to bed down for the night. The guards reluctantly opened the gates and offered them shelter from the elements, as the snow continued to accumulate outside.

Once inside, the guards directed them into a low series of smoky buildings that served as a mix of a tavern and barracks. They were greeted by a woman named **Delilah**, who, despite the heckling and harassment from the crude guards, tried to befriend the party. She whispered to them that there have been recent reports of a **Wizard and Giant** seen in the area, but the garrison was too afraid to leave the fort to confront them.

===The Captain's Orders and Morning Departure===
The commotion was interrupted by the dramatic entry of **Friedrich**, the Captain of the Guard, who entered through a wind-swept, snow-blistered door. He demanded to know the party's intentions. The adventurers responded cagily, unsure if the Captain was a friend or an enemy.

Seemingly satisfied with their answers, Friedrich reluctantly offered them **one evening's rest**, but strictly ordered them to be **gone at sunrise**. Meanwhile, the harassment of Delilah escalated, and she ran out crying. Torn between defending the woman and maintaining their low profile, the party decided to wait quietly, though [[Nail]] was made quite anxious by the despicable treatment of Delilah. They were offered quarters in the South Tower, where they lit a fire in an empty iron brazier and finally lay down to sleep.

In the morning, they were woken by the banging on the trap door of the tower by a Ranger named **Konner**, who stated he had been assigned to lead them up and out of the pass.

===Pursuit and Discovery===
The party headed out and continued their journey up further into the mountains, diverging from the main road into the valley where the Giants were reportedly originated from. High up in the mountains, they gained the distinct awareness that they were being followed. Stopping briefly, Nail and Balmaris confirmed that it was a small group of **guards from the fort**, maintaining a distance of a few hundred yards.

Simultaneously, Aldran and Egon spotted a **giant-like figure** about a quarter mile ahead of them. The creature had crashed through the trees and continued to head up the mountain, then down into the open valley that the party was attempting to enter.

Making their way to the ridge line, they looked down upon a wide, open valley. The valley floor was a chaotic mess of crushed and broken trees, **muddied and jumbled with footsteps** leading in many directions. This was clearly the origin of where these hostile creatures came from. It was late morning before they decided to make their way across the open valley without any benefit of cover or concealment, heading toward a specific entrance they had spotted: a cave at the base of a strange **metal and stone mountain** about a quarter mile away.

===Ambush in the Valley===
As they crossed the valley, ducking from the few small trees and brush that offered meager cover, they sensed a magical aura about them. Immediately, an **ice storm** which seemed to come from nowhere, struck them. In a rush, they changed direction, heading to the north and the east toward the opposite side of the valley. They found cover directly up under the cliff side and began to move slowly and stealthily towards the cave entrance.

|key_npcs=
[[Lexanna Brightshore]] (Objective)
[[Delilah]] (Winch/Local)
[[Friedrich]] (Captain of the Guard)
[[Konner]] (Ranger/Guide)
|session_title=The Garrison's Respite
}}