Karlan steps in just to give the others enough room to pass through. Announcing ina clear commanding voice Karlan goes throguh the motions. "I am Sir KArlan Bladetwist of the knights of ozem and we're here to put an end to the evil perpetrated by your family in this region. The top floors have already been secured. You must lay down your arms and surrender now or forfeit your life."
Celestra whispers to Alana, "I love the way Karlan says that. He speaks with such authority. If he commanded me to lay down my weapon, I think I would comply."
[takei]oh myyyy[/takei]
Alana gives Karlan an appraising look, before winking at Celestra, "Indeed, but he is a married man, darling."
Celestra blushes red as she quietly replies to Alana, "Oh no, my dear! You completely misunderstand me! I certainly don't think of him that way! I would never get involved with a married man! Oh my! That is far too complicated. Besides, I have never experienced anything so absolutely wonderful as my relationship with you. You are a true gift in my life and I would never do anything to jeopardize that. Alana, my Luv, I cannot even begin to find the words to begin to describe how I feel about you. I mean as far as Sir Bladetwist goes, I am just trying to say that we are fortunate to have him with us in this task, but heavens, let's not think of him in that way any more."
The Graul-family member arches an eyebrow and slowly shakes his massive head
You cleared the first floor...then you have killed Mammy...you must be very powerful then. Let me make a modest proposal. I will leave without a fight and tell you everything you need to know to rescue your ranger friends, okay?
Alana shushes Celestra, giving her a mischievous smile, "Relax dear, sweet woman. 'Twas a jest, nothing more."
Marek awaits Karlan's reply, his every muscle tense with anticipation.
He cannot- he begins to think, but he stops himself. If he believes the monster will tell the truth he will accept it, for the sake of the abducted rangers. I do not know if I can honor that pact, though.
Ailetha watches the ogre and the paladin. Her every sense on alert attempting to determine whether what the ogre says has a shred of truth.
Sense Motive:
"And where do you plan on going and doing if we allow you to leave? We can't allow you to leave if you think you're just going to continue what your family was doing here. Saving the rangers does us no good if you kill hundreds more in the exchange."
As surprising as it is, Ailetha is pretty sure that the ugly ogre is telling the truth...
Iam just a tinkerer...I don't share the bloodlust of my brethren..let me go and I will travel hign into the mountains and find a place where I can experiment with my traps.
@ Ailetha: You're visible again. You're in the house for about 15 minutes now.
Ailetha turns to Karlan: He seems to be telling the truth. Just make sure that if we find him "tinkering" with the lives of humans, his will be quite short.
"He may be telling the truth, but perhaps you should ask him what he hopes to catch in those traps."
Karlan mulled it over for a moment rolling the idea over and over in his mind. Much of it stank but there was some glimmer of hope in what may seem a bad idea.
"Very well. But first you must swear upon your blood that you will take the children bound above with you. You will raise them to respect the life your family has seen fit to be cruel to. If you deviate from this, should the Graul family once more give cause for a paladin to wipe them out then no quarter will be given. Understand? Swear upon it."
The ogre'smouth splits in a malicious grin
That I swear...and I will also take my brother-nephew-sons with me. the last bit of information was probably more than you had asked for...Now, I guess firstly you wanna know where the rangers are, huh?
Ailetha looks at the ogre-smith with distaste: That might be a good thing to tell us. I really hate having to extract information from the deceased.
Bluff:
Well, heh... there's a vile pleasure now in the Graul's eyes as he speaks We killed them all when we took the fort...slaughtered the men, raped the women to death and tortured the two children until neither skin nor blood was left...it was a nice sight...at least for us, hah!
But three were lucky, they were on a patrol during the fight and when they returned we took them prisoner...they're here in the house and Mammy had forbidden to eat them...for now...so you're lucky, three of your friends survived, they are in the prison, I can show you where, okay?
"You better show us, and they better be unharmed if you do not want any harm to come to you! Lead us onward, Graul!"
Ailetha holds up her hand. Wait a minute. Under Mammy's direction you all assaulted the fort and slaughtered all the rangers? And then just left the fort? Why? On whose direction? I cannot believe that you just decided to assault the fort for fun.
"Excellent question, Ailetha. Even if they had done merely for the fun of it, why leave behind such an excellent prize?"
The ogre grins
Who said we left the fort? It is now the new home of the Graul clan, we, who stayed here, we are only the clan members who shy away from...too much violence, hah...Should you be stupid enough to go to the fort, you will meet my older brothers and your end. And on whose direction we did that? Do you think we are too stupid to plan such an attack on our own?
Celestra watches the ogre with revulsion as she thinks about the attack on the Ranger's fort.
The poor souls. I wonder if any are still alive?
Finally, she asks the ogre. "So where is this prison where the few rangers have survived? Is it here in this lodge?
Would you mind answering a simple question?
Without waiting for a response, Marek takes one step forward.
That attack seems like a rather gruesome event, what was your part in it?
The ogre was about to answer Celestra's question when Marek interrupted. Before answering he slowly cracks his knuckles
I made the plan...build an explosive device that blasted the gate... he waits for Marek's reaction before leading you out of the room.
Another step forward leaves the tiefling in front of the ogre.
So you mean to tell us you are able to construct not only deadly traps, but also explosives? That is... interesting. he says, although his narrowed eyes suggesting it might be worrisome instead.
Answer miss Zomesco's question; about the survivors, where are they kept? Point us the way if you wish to survive this day unlike most of your family.
As you wish the ogre growls and gently pushes Marek out of the way. He leads you through the door that was opposite the stairs into a large room with another door at its far end. This room looks like some kind of untidy armoury with rusted weapons, ragged pieces of leather armour in ogre-size, and crude shields on the walls.
The ogre points at the door and grins
Rangers behind, can I leave?
The sound of grating teeth can be heard coming from the magus. His jaw is clenched, every muscle of his neck and shoulders tense. He looks at Karlan, awaiting for his confirmation. His scimitar is still unsheathed, the blade swirling with scarlet tendrils as if yearning for battle.
It would be so easy, one small flick of the wrist and he would lay on my feet, his blood slipping through the wound. I would kneel upon its not-yet-dead body and siphon that wretched soul into me. Power coursing through my veins I would proceed in a glorious bloodbath, room by room, slayi-
Marek suddenly drops his gaze, blinking repeatedly and taking one step back, his posture now again passive.
I-I believe he presents a security risk, sir Karlan. His presence walking around could alarm the others and allow them to prepare an organized ambush. Might I suggest he be restrained or incarcerated during our foray and liberated after we finish?
"I agree." Celestra replies to Marek's comment. She then turns to the ogre and declares, "Your cooperation is most appreciated, but before we grant you your liberty, there are a few more questions to be answered. First of all, Graul, for what purpose would you attack the rangers fortress? Wouldn't you know that this would only bring trouble for yourselves and your people? If you wish to live in peace and freedom, does it not make sense that you would give others their peace and freedom as well? You must certainly be able to reason that can't you?"
They never meant to live in peace, Celestra. They always mean to murder, rape and pillage.
With a more assertive voice, Marek continues:
But the lady makes a good point. There must be some reason, motive or obscure force behind this attack. You may be murderous, crafty and somewhat wily, but nobody can accuse the Graul of being intelligent.
Ailetha listens to her comrades. When the ogre does not open the door, she pauses.
Why don't you open the door? Is it trapped or is there something in there guarding the rangers?
You don't keep your word? You said I show you rangers and you let me go!
After a moment of reasoning he explains
Behind door is Ulf...big spider and guardian of prisoners...he will attack anyone entering...you see, I speak the truth...and I really don't know why attack fort. Mammy said plan is good, I only invented the bomb...
tumbleweed?
"Bear in mind you are not an innocent in this. The only reason you're alive right now is because you decided to talk first and we're not child murderers no matter what parentage. We'll keep our word but if you break yours there is no force, ogre or human, that will stop justice's blade form falling. The gods themselves bear witness to this event and take notes." KArlan says. "Anyone or anything else at the keep we should know about?"
Celestra watches calmly, well aware that Karlan, Harry, or Marek, could easily dispense justice at any moment.
I had already warned you...my brothers are still there and they won't be very friendly or hospitable, heh.
That said and having his "duty" fulfilled, the ogre moves to the stairwell...
"Maybe showing mercy will have some influence on the future generation of ogres. Let's let him go and hope that we have made the right choice. In the meanwhile, let's deal with Ulf and free the prisoners. Let's press onward, Karlan, my dear. I am ready when you are."
Ailetha will begin to sing an uplifting song about redeeming evil while defeating giant spiders.
Immediately before the door is opened, Ailetha will begin Inspire Courage - +2 attack/damage.
Ready when you are!
--------
The Graul trap builder grins maliciously as he hurries to the stairs...somehow you don't feel well with letting him go...
Ailetha watches him go and shakes her head.
We will meet him again. And I doubt he will be alone or talkative.
Karlan follows him and motions for the others to follow. "We're going to escort you out. I'd hate to see you forget to pack for your trip far away from here and out of trouble."
While the others talk things over, Alana readies her crossbow and casts True Strike.
The ogre grunts angrily, but does not object.
After he has packed some traps into a large sack, he also collects his tools and some other belongings. At last he goes upstairs and grabs his two nephew-brother-sons (who knows?) by the collar and shakes them until they regain their consciousness. He needs only two bellowed ogre-phrases to explain to them that you defeated Mammy and all remining Grauls must now leave for the mountains...the smaller ogres don't dare to ask any questions and just look at you loathfully...together the three leave through the front door and disappear in the afternoon twilight.
"Well, at least they are not lingering to cause any trouble for us at the moment. Now, Karlan, lead us onward and help us to free the Rangers. We cannot do this without you!"
Harry Handsome Substitute
After the ogre departs, Harry returns to the untidy armory and inspects the door leading to the rangers. If he finds any traps, he attempts to disable them.