Shari
*With Odvan and Kaalzyr in tow, Chieftain Yamarz began the trek to Malacath's shrine, hefting his hammer in hand.*

*The trek through the forest and past Riften took around two hours. By the time the trio arrived to the location of Malacath's shrine, it was early in the afternoon. The wide cave mouth in the base of the Velothi mountains stood silent, agape, waiting. This was the place for certain- the painted rocks and the bone chimes over the entrance said it all.*

*Yamarz walked towards the cave, visibly irritated.*

"Let's just get this over with. If there's a chance this will save me, then I'm taking it. I'll take the lead, but you two better back me up."
Ernest
"I am unlikely to fit within these caves. Any bright ideas, mortal?"

*Kaalzyr faced Odvan, still not knowing his name.*
Billy
"If Giants were able to inhabit the cave I'm sure you can, too." He says, "Maybe try crouching." He follows Yamarz, lighting a torch to provide light.
Ernest
*Kaalzyr sighed, and as the group entered the cave he crouched down, walking in a squat to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling.*
Shari
*With Chieftain Yamarz taking the lead, the trio entered Fallowstone Cave. First the tunnel, fairly tall, or at least enough for Kaalzyr to stand up more fully, winded into the earth for a short distance, before turning right and opening into a vast chamber. On either side were waterfalls- to the left was a great drop to a lower level of the cave, and to the right was a land bridge going over the water flow. Dim light shone into the cave through holes in the ceiling, illuminating the cave somewhat, but it was nevertheless tedious to look around. There was however the faint smell of smoke, coming from somewhere in the cave.*
Billy
"Smoke. Guessing that's coming from a giant's bonfire." He says, "Can't sneak around them, considering our present company. But they shouldn't be a problem thanks to said present company."
Shari
*Yamarz nodded, though Kaalzyr said nothing else. He continued to walk along, leading over the land bridge and further into the cave. As the trio were going along, Yamarz abruptly stopped and signaled so to the others as well.*

"There's a drop here. We're climbing down."

*And indeed, there was. The ground fell off onto a series of drops that led to the brook at the bottom of the chamber, and from there a distant light was visible. The smell of the bonfire smoke was getting stronger. Yamarz gestured for Kaalzyr and Odvan to follow, as he got to one knee and dropped down, gripping the edges of the ground and letting go to lessen the fall. He landed with a soft thud on the outcrop below, about ten or twelve feet down.*
Ernest
*Kaalzyr followed behind, sitting on the ledge and dropping down with a much heavier thud. The fall to him was shorter, given his height and by extension the length of his legs.*
Billy
He climbs down, following Yamarz, "At least our giant friend can help us get out when we need." He says, "That is if our giant enemies don't kill us."
Shari
"Yes. The armored giant will be very helpful."

*Dropping further down, the trio came to the brook, and following it revealed the painted stones dotting the paths. The smoke was closer, the light of the bonfire clearer. A long shadow was cast on Odvan and Yamarz, as the giant stood next to the fire, looking around with its club in hand. It hadn't yet noticed them, but it would likely see them soon.*
Billy
"Well. Guess we should get to purging the shrine." He says, charging toward the giant and taking a swing at its leg before following up with a stab
Shari
*The giant was caught mostly by surprise, and the gash in its leg began to bleed. Chieftain Yamarz rushed towards the giant with his axe, taking a swing at its other leg and getting his axe stuck in its calf, shaking it around to yank it free. Angered at the sudden attack, the giant rose its club high into the air, using all its strength to slam it into the ground. The Chieftain, focused on the fight, was knocked backwards by the force and bruised under the armor.*
Billy
He pulls his poleaxe out of the giant's leg and attempts to dodge the slam, falling short and getting slammed into the wall by the force. He clutches his chest and takes a breath, seems he'll be out of commission for a short bit
Ernest
*Kaalzyr charged at the giant while Yamarz recovered, unarmed but far from defenseless. As the giant went to swing its club, he threw a strong punch into its face, using his other hand to rip the club out of its grasp. While the giant stumbled from the force, he rose the club above his head in both hands, and brought it down onto the giant's head with such force that the wooden shaft shattered and splintered, and the giant fell to the ground, clutching its head. The giant down, Kaalzyr, drew his axe, raised it high, and brought it down onto the creature's neck. The body went limp and collapsed, and the severed and battered head rolled on the ground. Kaalzyr sheathed his axe, breathing a bit heavily. The fiery enchantment of his axe had singed the neck, and so it did not bleed.*

"There."
Shari
*Yamarz too was breathing heavily, recovering from being knocked backwards. He slowly walked towards the fallen giant, hefting his axe still.*

"What kind of Daedra are you? Killing giants like that?"
Billy
He starts to get up, stumbling a bit while clutching his chest, "He's a... Hav... Ocrel." His voice stammering with pain. "Give me a bit and I'll be right as rain, chief." He leans on his poleaxe, "Damn... Blunt force..."
Ernest
"You are both extremely persistent for mortals. But the giants here are only forming the path of least resistance. Perhaps Malacath was serious about lifting the curse. But then again, we are not yet at the shrine, and you do not yet have the giant leader's club."
Shari
*Yamarz growled at the Havocrel. Whether the speed with which he dispatched the giant, or his comment on the journey, it clearly irritated him.*

"I will be free of this curse, and you will still help me."
Ernest
*Kaalzyr faced Yamarz, still holding his axe, and his grip tightened.*

"Weigh your words carefully, mortal."
Billy
After a short breather he was ready to move again, "Why do the giants have to use clubs." He says, dusting himself off, "Let's keep moving, I doubt Malauch likes waiting."
Ernest
"The answer is simple in more ways than one. They are simple creatures, and thus their finest armaments are simple. What is more straightforward than a weight on a stick?"
Shari
*Yamarz again taking the lead, the path followed the brook further into the cave, and Kaalzyr followed behind. More giantish painting lined the stone walls, and bone chimes hung from the ceiling, their wooden supports wedged into cracks in the stone, held up by thin rawhide cords. Moving further along, the cave narrowed significantly into a much smaller chamber. On the left side of the chamber was a giant. It was looking at something around the wall, and did not notice the trio yet. The creature's club leaned against the stone.*
Billy
He follows, keeping out of sight of the giant, setting his poleaxe on the ground quietly, he moves in, tipping the giant's club over, then dragging it away. When he feels he's sufficiently away from the giant he grabs his poleaxe
Shari
*Yamarz waited anxiously with his axe in hand, ready to ambush the giant. Once the club was away, he stood up and made his move, rushing towards the giant and driving his axe into its lower back. The giant bellowed in pain as it reached over for its club, only to grasp air. It flailed its arms and spun its torso in an attempt to strike back at Yamarz.*
Billy
"Glad that worked." He says, leaping at the giant, slamming the axehead into the giant's back, and then dragging it down as he falls
Shari
*Odvan would feel the giant's spine crack as he dug his axe into its back, and with that blow the two Orcs bested the giant by surprise. Kaalzyr said nothing, but nodded in silence. Based on his expression, he seemed a bit impressed. With the giant dead, the group continued on. Following the path further led the trio through a larger chamber filled with bleached bones, and the body of a dire bear. Flies were buzzing around it, and the blood under it was congealing. It had been dead for a little while.*
Billy
"I don't know Malauch that well but I feel we should be getting close." He says, wiping his blade off with a cloth, "Any idea what we can expect up there?" He asks, assuming Yamarz was at least somewhat familiar with the shrine