There is an interlude during which spells are cast and loopholes are explored. After some time, the group start looking around for the next set of evil to kill…and plunder..’don’t forget the plunder’ say the folks who are carrying enough wealth to bankrupt several small kingdoms without affecting the bottom line.

Anyway – they cast about ans discover that the threat from the west is not gone, but has changed in scope. It seems that a band of marauding hill giants have started attacking caravans bringing trade from the western nations to Cormyr.

Hmm. Encirclement? Is this another of Coburn’s tactics, or just some opportunistic giants seeking to capitalize on the situation? Who knows? Who cares? They must be stopped!
Off they go in their airship – floating above the hillsides and eventual...

Malchor, Elulyn and the rest spend time investigating the outside of the ‘temple’ and discover that there has been recent foot traffic between this place and game trails that stretch into the hills on the western flank of Cormyrian territory, so there is some truth to the rumors. Attempts to disenchant the stone and tunnel through it are unsuccessful, so they resort to the large front door. They tear through the complex like a chainsaw through water. Within ten minutes they have defeated a band of lycanthropes and slain a few ogre magi as they quickly explore the interior.

They encounter a pair of mind flayers but thanks to Malchor’s mind blank, although the creatures were aware of the party’s presence, they did not notice Malchor’s thoughts and are surprised when he enters through a wel...

Emerging in the endless expanse of water, devoid of any sense of down, the astute party recognizes that they aren’t on the prime plane. Well, that is OK – they are old hands at sailing the planar seas, so off they go. They make contact with a gnome piloting an underwater vessel and come to learn that she is in fact the Squigglespok that they sought. Conversation reveals her backstory and the group is ferried to the palace of the local sea-witch who rules this pocket plane. Entering the complex, the group is confronted by a sign that lists expected behavior of ‘guests’. Interesting. Off they go.

However, the group decides not to antagonize their host and defeat monsters and traps in the least homicidal and/or destructive way possible...

Spending the next nine months in focused activity, the mages prepare an arsenal of scrolls. Goldpiece resumes his role in the party and discusses tactics with Mr T. Once the magical artillery is prepared, there is a brief round of planning. They leave the Airship behind and use the mage’s abilities to teleport to the location of their ignoble retreat/defeat. The group has prepared well. Mind blank spells are in effect on each party member so the telepathic entity cannot sense their approach. They are awash in protection spells – the better to soak up large fireballs and prevent possession – and then they are off!

The actual battle is a bit anticlimactic. Accessing the hidden chamber with a passwall spell allows them to gain the element of surprise...

They float to the final location and spend some time in high-altitude surveillance. After enough passes with the eagle eyes and the swooping raven, they determine this is an old graveyard and there are still some restless occupants milling around near the entrances to the larger mausoleums. During the day, they discover a strangely shaped piece of stone lying in a shallow basin. The flying carpet ferries down Kikko, who plucks the item from the water with the ring of telekinesis and the carpet scoots out of possible attack range. The party descends with spells and carpet, to land atop one of the flat-roofed structures. From there they survey the area and plan the attack.

It is fairly routine, as they engage a few groups of wights and zombies there is little risk to them and in a matter of...