Time seemed to past slowly as we waited for Conna to return with the map. With nothing to do I once again worked on skills the mages in Magnimar used to write words on paper by just using the prestidigitation clean and soil trick. I feel like a child as my letter is about 6 inches high and takes me a minute or two per letter; except for ‘X’, ‘O’ and lines for tic-tac-toe. While waiting for Conna I played a few gains of prestidigitation tic-tac-toe. Maybe when we have some free time I can switch out the ‘X’ and ‘O’ and better learn other letters.

Conna has finally arrived with the map so I put the grungy dirt back on the wall. Conna revealed that MM spends his time in the library; no one is allowed in the library. Conna has not been to the library so she could only point us in the direction form this level. The map also revealed a room that seemed to strike fear in Conna. This giant was in charge of handling new recruits; including putting the tattoo on the new recruits.

Our plan was simple; Make Nolan and Avia invisible so they could get the jump on the giant. I had planned to go in right behind them but some who it did not work out that way; I had to wait for Rigal, trask, and Rolo to get into the room and out of the way before I was able to make my way into the room. By that time he had his eyes fixed on the three of them for what appeared to be lunch. Wow he was big so I stopped outside his range and through my axe at him while insulting him in giant. Luckily the insults were effective as he moved towards me swinging. All seemed to be going our way when he seem to melt into the dirt. Trask’s fireball on the dirt did not seem to do anything and it appeared that all of the dirt was magical. We figured out that the dirt was only a few feet down and that this was likely filled with dirt for him. We had some unexpected giant guests but we finished them off quickly.

In corner Takkad placed a stone wall on the floor and Rolo put a rope trick above it so that we could rest but watch for him to return. Awhile into the resting the giant reformed out of the dirt looking quite healed. We all jumped down from the rope trick and proceeded to attack him once again. This time we were ready for his trick so as soon as he began to melt back into the dirt we hit him hard with the killing blows. We have removed the head; this might be very useful later for convincing the giant youngsters that there leadership is dead. We covered the new stone floor in the corner with dirt to hide it and hung all of the bodies on the walls.

We are now back in the rope trick. An interesting fact is that other dimensional objects such as bag of holding and a haversack do not work while in a rope trick. We found this out just today. I have to remember that if/when I get a bag of holding or haversack that I will need to get anything needed out before entering the rope trick. Once 8 hours of the rope trick had been completed we moved back to the alter and setup another rope trick for morning. After a reasonable nights sleeps I noticed that I was now finally able to cast 4^th level spells. Too bad that I don’t know any yet and the found spellbooks only have fear; with the animate dead spell long since being erased from the spellbook on Takkad’s request. I have the materials with me to write a single 4^th level spell into my spellbook,. The cost of just inscribing these higher level spells is getting very expensive so I will need to be very careful selecting 4^th level spells as I also want to upgrade the GreatAxe.

The first rope trick has expired and we moved back to the alter room for a second rope trick that will get us to morning when everyone can get there spells back. It’s nice the Rolo has rope trick, I guess once he goes back home after this adventure it might be time to pick up this spell.

Note to self: Look into an eavesdropping spells that will work across a valley like this one.

The night passed without any issues.

The map shows the way to the library and we quietly made our way towards the spot on the map. TROLLS from behind leather covered walls tried to prevent us from proceeding to the library. It was hard to understand why trolls would be working with MM until we found that they were carrying rock painted to look like gems. The 2 lances the trolls were carrying might just turn out very useful. We moved the troll bodies out of sight and then continued toward the spot marked library on the map. At about the spot on the map label library there was a spiral walkway/stairs going around and around down deep into the ground. At the bottom the spiral opened up into a hallway that looks like very old Thassilonian construction with traces strange ancient magic. We kept it dark as to not give away our presents so I had to guide the others through the darkness. After some uneventful exploration of a blocked off passage way we proceeded down to a room. This was a very odd room and everything almost seemed to be moving. I suddenly became sick upon entering the room along with being affected by something like reduce person. Avia pulled me out of the room and she took case of the sickness.  There was a giant in the room that seemed to be affected by some strange magic. Avia and Nolan were able to make quick work of the giant while a regained my senses. Blinded yesterday and now shrunk down to Kane since today. Rigal and Takkad where affected by the reduce person effect as they entered the room as well. At least it was not just me this time.

The affect of being smaller is kind of cool, at least for a short period of time. Maybe I dismissed those shape-shifting/gaseous form spells too quickly.

Note to self: Look into other transmutation spells that I could use to change shape.

I really hope this wears off soon as my reduced GreatAxe damage could be an issue it we happen to find MM before it wears off. I have an open 1^st level spell slot so I could memorize enlarge person or have Trask cast it.