Setting out from Roderic's Cove, Sandru takes the caravan off the main road and onto some lesser used tracks in order to give Riddleport a wide berth. As you make your way along the secondary routes, the land becomes increasingly less developed and more wild, civilized populations less dense, and wild creatures more common.
The road takes you up into the grassy bluffs known as the Curchain Hills. Large herds of aurochs make the place home, feeding on the thick grasses. Occasional evidence of the local Shoanti tribes can be seen - a tribal territory mark here or there or even a herdsman watching over the aurochs from a distance. But even this terrain has its hazards.
While out scouting, Masamune (on Duty) and Shalelu have often been ranging a mile or more ahead or to the side of the caravan, taking different routes and crossing paths in order to check out the lay of the land and watch for trouble. At one point, Masamune spots a thin plume of smoke ahead. As he draws nearer, he notices the smell of burnt flesh and hair as well as the smell of roasting meat. Then, as he begins to turn around an outcropping of rock, he spots a trio of ogres blocking the road. They have set up a cook fire and have propped an aurochs up so that it is roasting (sloppily) over the fire.
At this point, Masamune is about a mile ahead of the caravan (which will catch up to his position in about 10 minutes). The ogres don't seem to have noticed his presence yet. Shalelu is nowhere to be seen but, having worked with her for a number of days now, Masamune can be pretty certain she at least aware of the smoke by now.
Some idea of what they look like: Ogre Miniature
Masamune curses the ogres for being in the way.
I need to inform the caravan about this, but Shalelu might stumble into the ogre's camp without realizing it.
Masmaune tries to look for any other tracks that maybe from more ogres. Then he searches sign of Shalelu, or ways to deal with ogres quickly, but if he doesn't find anything he will leave a small warning marking nearby and then make his way back to camp to report.
From his vantage point, it's hard to see much about the ground around the ogres and whether there is evidence of more than three of the beasts about. Right near him, however, he is able to read that a couple of ogres came along this way and were probably carrying a burden. Their strides are a little shorter, footprints a little deeper than might be expected (slinging a dead aurochs between the two of them, perhaps?).
Leaving trail sign to indicate the danger, Masamune turns to leave with enough care that the ogres do not see to notice he and Duty withdraw. However, there is a bit of surprise on Masamune's part when Shalelu steps out of the underbrush, nearly on top of him, several yards farther up the trail.
She speaks softly, yet there is a tension in her voice. "I saw them. The caravan must be warned and you are swiftest. I will shadow the ogres but not engage until you bring reinforcements," she says as she readies her bow and puts an arrow to the string.
Masamune nods at Shalelu's words.
"I shall be going now. Stay hidden huntress."
Masamune will walk himself and Duty until they seem out of earshot of the ogres. Then he will mount up on Duty and ride back to the caravan to warn them all about the approaching ogre threat.
A ride of a few minutes time brings Masamune to the caravan. It is now about 3/4 of a mile from the site where he saw the ogres lunching on the aurochs.
Driving the lead wagon, Sandru reins in his horses and hails Masamune. "I know that look, Masamune. What is the trouble?"
Alara skips along, practically doing laps around the caravan when Masamune returns.
She promptly stops. "What's going on? Where's Shae-chan?"
Ash mutters to himself as he walks over to Masamune and checks on him. "You better not have gotten hurt or allowed Shalelu to get herself hurt..." he says to his brother with a wink.
Piper is sitting again riding shotgun on one of the supply carts. When Masamune comes up, Piper sits up straighter and hops off the supply cart. He walks over to the warrior, his eyebrow raised in curiosity. He takes out his chalkboard and writes: 'Any trouble?'
Masamune dismounts from Duty before giving his report to the caravan.
"Shalelu and I discovered some ogres about three fourths of a mile away from the caravan. they are currently setting up camp in the middle of the road. We will have to deal with them soon if we continue on this path. I came back to warn everybody while Shalelu keeps an eye on them."
"Ogres?" Rawnie remarks surprised. "Surely we don't want to have a run in with ogres brother." She looks at Sandru worriedly.
Hearing the fact that ogres are up ahead, Piper thinks hard about anything he knows about them and possible weaknesses.
"Can we allow them to ruin things in these parts? Aren't we obligated?" He says softly.
"I fear that a confrontation with the ogres is necessary. If they discover us, they will undoubtedly come to plunder the caravan over our dead, and possibly devoured, bodies. It would be better for us to initiate any fight with them on our own terms."
"I do not want to risk the caravan's horses to the ogres if at all possible, so the wagons must stay back and away. I will keep them back until the way ahead is clear. I will leave it to the rest of you, my friends and family, to secure the road for us."
Koya pulls both Ash and Rawnie aside.
"I will stay with the caravan for now with Sandru. The two of you will serve in my place - Ash as a healer, Rawnie as a Harrower. Desna bless both of you and keep you from harm," she says as she kisses each on the forehead.
Ameiko draws her rapier. It glints brightly silver in the sun as she briefly regards it as if steeling her resolve.
"I am ready, Masamune. Lead us back to Shalelu and the ogres."
At the mention of ogres, Alara narrows her eyes. She draws her nunchaku, and with several flourishes, readies herself for battle.
"Let's go."
Piper shares the information on ogres with the others using his chalkboard. On weaknesses, he writes: 'The mind of an ogre is incredibly weak. So anything that could affect it could work to our advantage.'
Masamune almost shakes his head when Ameiko offers to join in on the fight, and he just sighs.
Great I'll be babysitting as well as fighting it seems.
"Well this fight won't be easy, so we should all focus on the ogres one at a time except for those of you who can cast spells that affect the mind. Target one ogre for mind effecting spells and the rest of us will focus on killing the other two ogres one at a time. Any objections?"
Piper nods at Masamune. He writes: 'I think if Ameiko and I combine our efforts, I think that we could put the pressure on one of the ogres, as well as give you guys support.' He looks to Ameiko and, with a smile, writes: 'Same performance from when we were younger?' He then puts his chalkboard away and draws his flute.
Alara stands next to Masamune. "And we can put one ogre between us and slice and bash him to bits!" She starts hopping from foot to foot. "Think I should go in silent to catch 'em by surprise?"
As you approach the part of the road where the ogres have set up their lunch, Shalelu comes out of the foliage. "The ogres are not being subtle and they are not alert to movement on the road, either. I suspect they will stay put a while longer," she reports.
"There is a lot of foliage around here, if we could duck behind it, it's possible that we could lure the ogres towards us and ambush them." Rawnie pauses for a moment before adding, "However if we were to lure them someone would likely have to be bait."
Piper strokes his chin. He writes: 'Seems like a good plan, Rawnie. If someone needs to be bait, I'd say Masamune since he has the best maneuverability out of us.'
"Very well. You all hide yourselves and I will lure the ogres out into the open."
There are plenty of spots (on the map) where the undergrowth will provide some cover. Shalelu and Ameiko fade into the vegetation. The elf ranger virtually disappears without a trace, but Ameiko conceals herself with plenty of confidence as well.
Alara smiles and tries to hide herself next to her saviour in the undergrowth.
Oh, this is so exciting! I'll finally be able to show off for Shae-chan! Alara's excitement is visible on her face.
"Oh boy oh boy oh boy this'll be sooooo fun!" She whispers to (mostly) herself.
Piper moves carefully through the brush, placing himself a tad closer to the center of the group, so that when begins his performance, he can hit as many as possible.
Seeing as the others seem to like her idea, Rawnie hides in the foliage, a little further from the ogres then the others.
Since Masamune is heading into direct danger, Ash casts shield of faith on the samurai. "Take care, brother," he says before doing his best to hide in the undergrowth.... which turns out to be pretty bad, but he's fortunately out of direct line of sight anyway.
Looks like everyone's ready - what's your move, Masamune?
Seeing everybody has now hidden themselves Masamune will pull out his bow and fire an arrow at one of the ogres.
.
After challenging the ogres Masamune will have Duty turn around and gallop back so to lure the angry ogres.
Masamune's arrow sticks into the hides worn by the ogre and seems to meet with the flesh beneath because the ogre whirls with a "Hey! Wha's that stickin' me?". The other two also spot Masamune as he and Duty gallop back. Clearly, they make ready to get up and pursue.
Initiative Time
Ameiko prepares to cast a charm person but, since the ogres are hard to directly spot from her vantage point, waits until the ogres come around the bend and into better view when she will target whichever one is trailing the others.
Masamune will have Duty ride forward even more while calling insults to the ogres, and firing another arrow.
Jacen looks at his friends and watches quietly, waiting to see if anyone gets hurt so that he can rush to their aid.
As soon as the ogres start coming, Piper gets ready. When the first ogre comes to the bend, he begins his performance.
Alara readies herself to smack the first ogre that moves past her hiding spot.
Rawnie readies her crossbow, dropping a bolt into it to fire at the first Ogre she sees.
Masamune's second shot buys no purchase on the ogre as they cry out in anger and start to pursue the samurai.
Piper's music fills the air as the first ogre rounds the bend. In his effort to close with Masamune, the lead ogre passes quite close to Alara, but her attack fails to inflict an injury on the beast (even with the benefits of Piper's music). Rawnie's crossbow shot also goes wide of the mark.
Ameiko completes the casting of her charm person spell and the last ogre in the line is under her spell. His rush to pursue Masamune slows as he looks about for his new friend and ally.
Shalelu finally acts, drawing back her bowstring and loosing an arrow at the lead ogre. It hits but with more of a thwack than a resounding THWACK.
Ameiko pops up out of her hiding spot and calls out to her charmed ogre, "Stop that ogre in front of you! Don't let him get away!" The ogre looks at the adventuring innkeeper with a puzzled look for a moment, but then his head turns back with a determined focus directed at the middle ogre...
Moving forward, Piper continues to play his tune. However, interspersed in the music, Piper plays another series of notes that sound like a lullaby. He looks at a spot between the first and second ogres, focusing on it.
The ogre in the middle stupidly drops off to sleep.
Dropping another crossbow bolt into it's home, Rawnie takes aim at the lead ogre and fires, hoping for a better shot this time.
As she pulls the trigger, she can feel that her aim is better, though she is not certain how much better.
Masamune will now put away his bow and pulls out his sword as Duty charges back at the lead ogre.
Alara waits for Masamune to get into position before focusing her ki.
Everything is centred... sharpened... there.
Shalelu is within the ogre's reach. She won't let her come to harm.
"忍アート：噛みゼファー!" She intones, her eyes briefly glinting before she swings her nunchaku...
As Masamune charges back at the ogre, its superior reach allows it to try to intercept the samurai before he gets in close with his blade.
12 points of damage to Masamune
The ogre roars in satisfaction as the club strikes home. Perhaps it is because of the blow, but Masamune's own answer fails to achieve a telling blow.
Not so for the wily ninja opposite who manages to land two blows, one particularly hard into the ogre's kidney. The ogre is now badly hurt.
Rawnie's crossbow bolt appears to get fouled in the hides the ogre is wearing and doesn't seem to bother the creature (if he even noticed it).
And then things get confusing. The rear-most ogre, directed to stop the ogre in front of it rushes forward, bypassing the sleeping ogre (who doesn't need to be stopped). Meanwhile, the lead ogre screams his protest at Alara's paired strikes and wheels to slam at her.
17 points of damage to Alara
Alara nearly avoids the savage attack, but the blow is so brutal that it sends he swooning into unconsciousness. That does, however, ignite Ash into motion with his healing power.
4 points restored to Alara
Alara is stable and her eyes flutter back open, but at 0 hit points (by my calculation), she is still staggered.
The ogre takes little note of Ash's rush into danger to help a friend because the rear ogre is suddenly trying to grapple him, albeit not successfully.
Shalelu cries out in alarm as Alara crumples under the ogre assault. "Alara, NO! Ash, get her out of here!" she shouts as she steps forward, drawing her short sword to strike at the ogre.
Her first blow staggers the ogre but she is unable to successfully stab the ogre a second time.
Gritting his teeth, Ash grabs Alara's shoudlers and begins to drag her out of the way (Assuming this would NOT provoke, since she is NOT doing the moving) as things were looking bad.