We arrived at Trippers and see Kron outside waiting for us.  Two goblins offer to take Fluffy to the stable and I make it clear that Fluffy is to be treated as my mount and not become dinner.  I give them a silver piece but they feel that is not enough to feed a goat.  Apparent oats and hay are more expensive in the  Grand Woods and give them four more and tell them to give him the best.  I doubt they will.

 

We go into Trippers, and it is like no other inn I have ever seen.  There are tables with all different races playing cards and throwing dice. Running the full center of the room is a trough full of water with miniature boats bobbing on the surface.  There is a band playing near the bar and a scantily clad tiefling with a sad expression on her face, dancing.

We are greeted at the door by Mr. Chee Chee, a bugbear, dressed in finery, and a goblin, Gub-Gub, who seems to be his devoted servant. Mr. Chee Chee welcomes us to his establishment and tells us his house policies: all weapons are checked at the door; no magic allowed; and everyone remains civil. Otherwise we are to enjoy ourselves. 

 

They offer games of change – 20 dice; three dragon ante, and the rum regatta, which has to do with the trough and the tiny ships.

 

Samus asks if the Iron Wolves ever come and Mr. CheeChee makes a face and says, yes, in a way that he is not pleased when they show up.  He calls them Rust Puppies which Samus finds amusing.  I ask about food and Mr. Chee Chee says there is a great feast planned for tonight in celebration of Reggie and his crew killing one of the flying creatures that have been terrorizing the area.  He brought the headless body for his kitchen crew to cook up regaling everyone with his bravery of slaying the beast, with only minimal help from his bully boys.

 

I never knew that Samus’ face could change so many shades of red.  He blustered and stammered, clutching and unclutching his hands.  Mr. Chee Chee asked if he was okay.  Samus was able to croak, yes, fine just fine. 

 

I was quite captivated by the rum regatta game and was looking forward to it, but did not like the idea of running into Reggie since we killed a lot of his men.  I was not sure Reggie would abide by Mr. Chee Chee’s policies. 

 

We ordered porridge and bread and some ale from Tully the bartender.  Raelin and Leroy play 20 dice and three dragon ante, and we eat discussing if we should stay or not.  We decided to get rooms and get a well deserved rest, but leave before Reggie and his boys arrived.  I can tell the boys are disappointed, Samus because he wants to pound Reggie into the ground for stealing his kill, and the rest of us, wanting to have a little fun, but it is too big of a risk.

 

Once up in our room, we share our adventures with Kron.  He said he and Livea came upon a giant camp not far from when he left us overheard the names Ooma and Nada – both names were familiar to me, but can’t seem to place them.  He snuck Livea passed the camp and then on his way back he scouted it again and heard one of the giants say in common “order from the hag”.  Wasn’t close enough to see if they were Broken Fang

 

We sleep until early evening and have a quick bite, Leroy and Raelin playing a few more games of chance, and then we head out ahead of Reggie.  Samus gives the creatures’ head to Mr. Chee Chee who says he knows a good taxidermist.

 

We head out a bit past Trippers before bring out the hut.  We do not make it far before our path is blocked by a hag standing in the middle of path and demanding we give her the hut.  Samus has the hut settle to the ground and Leroy stepped forward and with honeyed words he asks the hag her name.  She giggles like a school girl and says Ooma.  Leroy, dripping with charm, sweet-talked Ooma into leaving us in peace by offered up the recipe for the Elixir. Ooma cackled with glee and disappeared, recipe tightly clutched in her gnarled hand.

 

We continue down the road and see a crumbled ruin wall of an old check post, now being manned by three giants and another hag that we can only assume is Nada. Raelin moved first, darting forward, taunting and drawing away one giant and the hag herself.

 

Nada, unlike her sister was not here for trade, she wanted the hut and revenge for those who killed Natty, which would be us.

 

While we battled her giant, she went invisible, whispering curses at us.  Samus found himself the size of a halfling and Kron’s foot steps sounded like a troop of soldiers tromping through the woods.  I found I could no get the right words out and my spells fizzled. On one of the rare moments she popped into view, Raelin was beside her, his dagger digging deep into her side.  I found my words again and sent a bolt of lightning at her.  Samus, Leroy, and Kron were able to bring the giant down.  In fury and pain,

Nada vanished in a puff of smoke—only to reappear at the top of the ruin wall.  

 

From the fallen giant, we gathered:

  • A small copper feather, pulsing lightly with magic—grants Slow Fall for 20 feet (Samus)

  • A large, clear gemstone, cool and humming with hidden power—grants +4 to saving throws (Samus).

  • A bone horn, capped at both ends, carved with infernal script—demonic in origin (Kron).

    • It grants the ability to speak Abyssal when carried—but can’t be used unless uncapped.