"Ogres are a petit kind of giant, often savage and cannibalistic. Oui, they are not good creatures, for ze most part. An ugly face may 'ide a good 'eart, but I 'ave 'eard of few good 'earts among zeir kind."
Esteriande turns to the Commander.
"I zink we can be assured of at least a competent scouting force. If ze barge can bear our beasts as well as us, we shall take passage as soon as may be."
Muchorak looks at Esteriande then turns to Wolfspirit, "They are a foul creature. They have plagued my people before as well as their larger giant kin. What Esteriande says is true to a point. I have never heard nor encountered any that were not savage killers. They take from the land, never giving back, and seem to delight in it."
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"If these brutes were indeed held in check by the Black Arrows, they could pose a greater threat on communities and farms in that region, if allowed to prosper. It seems a just task to verify the status of the Black Arrows, and, if necessary, to face the ogres in their stead." Marak says quietly to his companions, as they discuss the situation.
The shoanti looks at Marak and smiles, "Actually I would take it as a great honor to rid this world of more Ogres. I have taken a dedication of sorts to finding and killing their kind."
"I have a guide who knows the area well for you too" the Commander says.."She'll meet you at the boat..would tomorrow Morning be too early for you..I can give you a day or two to make preparations but no more than that"
"Tommorow would be fine with me."
Listening intently to the explanations given by her friends, Ali, frowning cutely in concentration, turns to Lunas and the den-mates converse in their unusual way. After a moment, Lunas growls deep and menacingly in his throat and Ali nods her head in reply then turns back to the others. Her frown does not look so cute at all any more "Ali and Lunas think you mean Grrawwll Rrrzz Yips" She pauses for a moment in thought then continues "In two legs tongue means Big Big Bad Bad Two Leg Wolf Killers. They one of worst enemies of pack. Ali and Lunas like very much help kill all of them we find, and then more."
The look on her pretty little face right now has nothing of cute in it everything of the wild, viscous, dangerous little savage that she also just as much is as well.
Romon groans inwardly. Six or ten days cooped up on a river barge? And then the same coming back? And who knows how long slogging through the mountains? This is going to be worse than Sandpile. Dragon turds for this idea. Why would I ever go along with this? But Esteriande is beautiful when she's all earnest and the others think it's important too. Roman mentally shakes his head, the outcome is all too inevitable. If I'm going to do this I deserve a couple of fine days in town. Maybe I can swing by Ironbriar's and see what the mayor's been up to.
"We'll need two days to get ready. We've got to plan and provision for a trip like this." Romon accompanies the comment with his best smile.
Diplomacy:
To his own surprise Inikai feels a tinge of disappointment at the offer of 300 gold pieces. Apparently he has grown accustomed to larger sums of money. And what about all that time in the wild with the others? How will I be able to conceal the nature of my powers? How would the others react?
"We 'ave ze letters of credit and all day," Esteriande points out to Romon. "Ze locals could be grave danger. Delaying could cost lives, mon amor, and I do not doubt zat you could manage to source anyzing you needed in a day and a night." She smiles fondly at the rogue.
Romon smiles back. "Then our time here is short. Let's not waste it."
Just let me know what the party wants to buy as I don't want to get hung up in Magnimar.Remember you still have a 10% discount in the Bazzar
"Well mon amis, I zink zat some giant-bane arrows may be in order, and per'aps a few scrolls and potions," she muses thoughtfully.
"I'm good to go."
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"I am also prepared, once I pick up some food for the trip, but arrows, or bolts that strike true againts giants do sound like a worthy investment. We are fortunate to know in advance what sort of threat we face so far in advance."
His face goes vacant for a moment as he does math in his head and he adds, "A half-dozen such should cost just under a thousand gold pieces." He seems surprised by the number. "That's rather more than I had expected..."
"Oui, I shall see to it!" Esteriande heads off to stock up:
3 scrolls of Bull's Strength: 450gp
2 potions of enlarge person: 100gp
5 +1 giant bane arrows: 830.1gp
Less 10% discount comes to: 1242gp 9cp
"Where be the 'Big Big Bad Bad Two Leg Wolf Killers'? Show Ali on picture of Land." the now grim and determined Protector of the Land demands.
She had never been able to properly to properly grasp maps before, but now that she had experienced flying, they made perfect sense her. Once shown a map and their destination, she studies it with concentration, trying what challenges that might ahead and how best to keep her pack safe from them. She also brings to mind everything about Ogres she can remember.
Knowledge(geography):
Knowledge(nature):
Survival:
Ali knows the following..which I am sure she will express in her own inimitable fashion
The route to Turtleback ferry seems easy enough and nothing should threaten a boat.There are tribes of Bullywugs along the river which might harass you but a party your size should be able to dael with any minor threat.
The lake is suppossed to be the home of a water Monster called Black Magga..though noone is sure if she is real or just legend.
Ogres tend to live in large tribes and operate in what can only be described as mobs relying in their superior height and weight to crush any smaller enemy..they tend not to use missilesexcept for thrown rocks and spears
Romon excuses himself to wander alone for a while in his city. At the doorway he pauses to say, "We'll meet at Siosio's for lunch ask for Paralictor Denari's table. " Then he whirls through the door and is gone.
Wellard:
Lunch-goers: After you're seated, a tall severe looking human with the blackest hair you've ever seen and wearing a scarlet leather jerkin over black shirt and trousers sweeps toward the table. The voice and accompanying wink is more familiar. "Siosio's is famous for the discernment of its chef and management. I've always wanted to bring a few friends here. At last I have friends worthy of the compliment."
He bends to kiss Esteriande, runs his fingers gently across her cheeks and through her hair.
Sleight of Hand
Other lunchgoers:
"Ah, you are most mysterious, mon amor," Esteriande smiles in delight, reaching up to touch, but not remove the silver box. "And a most delightful restaurant you found as well," she adds.
Muchorak sits in silence at lunch, clearly not too comfortable in the establishment.
Esteriande.
LUnas and Ursas definitely do NOT get allowed in Paralictor or not the place has standards.
Not knowing, or caring, about proper dining etiquite, Ali ignores the silverware and eats with her hands, she obviously stays away from anything that had parents and concentrates on anything that is sweet.
Every once in a while she leaves the table to go outside, sneaking tasty treats and tidbits for her two furry friends.
The shoanti watches as everyone takes in the meal, with the varied delights or intrigues...he himself though only eats out of hospitality. To his closer companions it is evident in his lack of comfort in this place, it's food, and it's patrons. These are the people that killed our kin. His grandfathers voice echoed in his memory, They smiled as they raped our women, stole our lands, and slaughtered our animals. They delighted in watching us flee to the stone lands, leaving behind the lush forests and verdant beach lands. Remember this when you deal with the skinned devils, the will give you all flavors and dreams of your mind; but never your heart.
Muchorak takes a bite of his food and puts up his best front of pleasantness...
Bluff
His hand rests on Wolfspirit unconsciously and almost tenses, though his grip is weak it is evident he finds strength in her presence.
Inikai indulges in his meal to the point that he feels some regret at the realization that they must soon leave Magnimar. Romon's joie di vivre impresses him so much that he forgets the serious nature of their mission. Instead, he entertains the others with some ribald jokes that he has learned over the years and looks forward to returning here when the buisness at Hook Mountain is done.
As Big Bear rests his hand on her, Ali looks up at him and, instantly sensing his mood and understanding, at least partially, the reasons for it, she reaches up a small hand and lays it gently on his cheek. With a sunny smile full of love she says "You no worry Big Bear, soon soon we leave stinky two-leg ci-ty of stone full of no space and then for long long long time we be back in Land. It be good good good! And rest of pack friends see how much better it is. So you no worry, Ali take good goood care of you out there." and with one last smile and a light caress, she turns back to her sweets.
The evening passes in a convivial fashion..even Muchorak seems to enjoy the meal.
At what seems, to some off you, a much too early hour you assemble on the docks with your horses and gear.The boat you will be travelling on is a sturdy flat bottomed barge like affair capable of both river and sea travel.
Romon lingers while the party departs the restaurant. As he pays off the maitre d' he slowly lets the hat's illusion disperse revealing his true racial heritage. "Thank you for a lovely dinner. My friends enjoyed it immensely as did I."
*****
Romon's up early and saddles his horse for a dawn ride through the Heights. He luxuriates in the gentile architecture and verdant gardens of the wealthy neighborhoods and revels in the ringing of his horse's hooves on the well-laid cobblestones. It is a smug and self-satisfied rogue who trots down to the waterfront.
"Romon, did you obtain our reservation by dishonest means?" Esteriande asks archly. "I should spank you for zat, but you know, I did enjoy watching ze more...opinionated patrons and staff look a leetle uncomfortable," she chuckles. "We can both ask for forgiveness togezer, per'aps?" she teases.
Early in the morning she joins you, saddling Greyfog and clattering through the streets of the well-to-do, a place she knows surprisingly well.
"One day shall 'ave to introduce you to Mozer," she sighs. "Do not worry, she will like you more zan she likes me."
Reaching the barge she dismounts to greet the captain courteously, before carefully leading her steed aboard and settling him below decks.
As she takes a good look at the barge, Ali finally nods her head in satisfaction and says, "It look like it float good. River should be no bad, only froggy two legs live near here, but they no so strong. When pack get to lake, must keep eye out for ' Black Magga' though..."
and she unconsciously says this last in a spooky voice like a someone might describe the 'Boogie Monster'
[ooc]Have we been introduced to our guide as yet Wellard?[/i]
The Commander approaches with a cloaked figure by his side..
"Ah good you're all here..this is your guide..though I believe some of you are already familiar with her.
The figure flips back her hood to reveal a familiar face to those off you who were at Thistletop..it is Shalelu.
Naria looks the ship over "So uh you are completly sure this thing is river worthy?" Seeing the newcomer she looks to the others to see there responce.
Engineering
History
Arcana
"Bonjeour, Madamoiselle," Esteriande greets the other elf with a smile. "It 'as been a while, 'ow are zings with you?"
Inikai is taken aback for a moment and is about to greet Shalelu but he pauses as Esteriende is quicker to speak. His thoughts go to Kaliciel and he hopes that the ranger will have news as to her fate.
"One day shall 'ave to introduce you to Mozer," she sighs. "Do not worry, she will like you more zan she likes me."
Romon's blood freezes in his veins. "I can't really believe that," he says. "What's she like?"
**** On the dock *****
As she takes a good look at the barge, Ali finally nods her head in satisfaction and says, "It look like it float good. River should be no bad, only froggy two legs live near here, but they no so strong. When pack get to lake, must keep eye out for ' Black Magga' though..."
and she unconsciously says this last in a spooky voice like a someone might describe the 'Boogie Monster'
Romon wonders about 'froggy two-legs', were they like the frogmen they met near Foxglove Manor? 'Black Magga' is too intriguing though. "Ali, who's Black Magga? An old Varisian witch?"
**** Shalelu's arrival ****
Romon smiles at Shalelu too. "What by Azmo's beard did we do with her bow? Did Macho keep it or did we sell it for other gear?" He looks surreptiously to see what she's packing for firepower.
"Hey, 'Lu. You're getting around."
"I can't really believe that. What's she like?"
Esteriande note Romaon's hesitation with amusement, but grimaces as she replies:
"She is an 'igh priestess of Callistria."
**** On the dock *****
"Hey, 'Lu. You're getting around."
"I light 'ave known."
"I can't really believe that. What's she like?"Esteriande note Romaon's hesitation with amusement, but grimaces as she replies:
"She is an 'igh priestess of Callistria."
Eye bulging jaw drop, quickly concealed as mental sums are computed involving genetics, religion, and recent history. There are some paths too dark to travel. "She must be fabulously wealthy."
**** On the dock *****
"Hey, 'Lu. You're getting around.""I light 'ave known."
"Known what?"
Shalelu smiles around the group.."Hello everyone..sorry about Thistletop..but I did get Callie back home and then down here..I'm sorry I couldn't make her wait for you though"
"Esteriande..I haven't seen you since that business up by Kaer Maga" she looks between the Paladin and Romon and grins.."don't tell me you have taken up with this reprobate..well that will break a few hearts certainly"
then she looks at Naria.."I don't believe we have met"
"Naria Yamyra. A pleaseure to meet you."
"Zat you would 'ave known each ozzer of course," Esteriande explains to Romon, as she smiles at the ranger. "Zat was an eventful journey to say ze least. I am glad you are joining us, you are acquainted with ze region?"
Ali immediately runs up to the Elf woman who always smells so good, just like Land, and hugs her tightly and gives a few good sniffs for good measure, talking quickly and excitedly she says "Oh! This good good good! Whole pack is back together almost! But Callie is here too, yes yes? You bring her back?" and looking around but not seeing her old, dear friend Ali's great disappointment is obvious. Still though she holds on to Shalelu and continues "Well, you know Callie be OK though, yes yes? Yes, you tell Ali all about it while we swim dry on top of wood floor...ah boat? yes yes? OH! And you must meet brother Lunas! He come find Ali after you and Callie left."
And the big black wolf, in his dignified and fluid fashion makes his introduction to the ranger, seeming to approve of her as well.
Ali immediately runs up to the Elf woman who always smells so good, just like Land, and hugs her tightly and gives a few good sniffs for good measure, talking quickly and excitedly she says "Oh! This good good good! Whole pack is back together almost! But Callie is here too, yes yes? You bring her back?" and looking around but not seeing her old, dear friend Ali's great disappointment is obvious. Still though she holds on to Shalelu and continues "Well, you know Callie be OK though, yes yes? Yes, you tell Ali all about it while we swim dry on top of wood floor...ah boat? yes yes? OH! And you must meet brother Lunas! He come find Ali after you and Callie left."
And the big black wolf, in his dignified and fluid fashion makes his introduction to the ranger, seeming to approve of her as well.
Finally, she turns to Romon, answering his question, her eyes going big and round "Ali no know for sure, but she hear forest friends say is big, big, bad, bad, scary monster!"
Shalelu nods to Esteriand as she scratches Lunas behind the ear.."Aye I know the area..quite well"
Sense Motive DC18
Sense motive