Goramar's warning of impeding danger has everyone on their guard, ready to fight. The footsteps are now turning to heavy stomps: something is about to attack and soon.
---
Goramar, Elyna, Pahleg,
then enemy,
then everyone else
Round 1
With his weapon drawn, Goramar confidently steps forward in the tunnel and studies the enemy. "Looks uglier than most ogres. ...That hammer could hurt like hell."
Elyna prepares herself to fire at the approaching enemy.
Pahleg, knowing the ogres' evil natures, walks to Ulrich and blesses him with protection from evil.
With a sudden roar and heavy stomps, something big and ugly rushes into the bloodstained chamber. Elyna reacts to the attack and blasts the brute, but despite the flames surrounding it the ogre swings its massive hammer at Goramar. Goramar tries to dodge backwards but is nonetheless caught in the attack, and is squashed in an instant. When the ogre lifts its massive hammer again, only a trace of dust remains to remind the world of Goramar. YOU DIED
Kekkle leaves the imprisoned lady and moves towards the others, casting shield in preparation.
Ulrich quickly thanks Pahleg for the spell and rushes to defend the corner, only to witness the ogre just finishing Goramar with a single swing. The ogre's tiny eyes turn to Ulrich as it makes a swing at him. Ulrich valiantly blocks the tremendous attack.
Ushio, still having flashbacks about his recent death at the hands of a massive monster, stays behind and waits for a better opportunity to attack.
Round 2
Ulrich barely registers Goramar's death, as he keeps his focus on sheltering behind his shield and dodging the ogre's blows. He only surfaces from behind his defenses to make a quick slash when the knight finds an opening.
Round 2
Kekkle clenches jaw and moves forward.
.
Pahleg 17
Ogre 12
Kekkle 9
Ulrich 8
Ushio 5
Round 2
Elyna gathers energy and blasts the ogre. The blast causes the ogre to catch on fire.
Pahleg casts spiritual weapon, causing a longsword made of light appear mid-air in front of the ogre. The swords begins attacking the enemy, but does not penetrate the ogre's thick armor.
The ogre roars something in Giant and furiously waves its massive hammer at Ulrich. Ulrich pulls his shield up and sidesteps to avoid the attack. The ogre does not seem to even notice it is on fire.
Kekkle moves closer to the ogre and through the power of his mind causes his hands to glow in blue.
Ulrich focuses on sheltering himself and his allies while he makes a calculated slash at the giant enemy, dealing noticeable damage.
Ushio swallows his anxiety and moves closer to the enemy, avoiding its hammer. Ushio manages to pass through unharmed and thrusts the liar's blade at the ogre. The ogre's hide armor proves tougher than Ushio expected.
The legless corporal cheers you on: "Amazing work, everyone!"
Round 3
Ulrich maintains his defensive posture, slashing at the ogre again in the hopes of bringing it down quickly- or at least holding its attention.
"Keep at it, we can take him!", Elyna circles and unleases another fireblast.
Round 3
Kekkle finally steps up alongside his companions and thrusts his rapier at the Ogre. But this is his first strike with a melee weapon, and it is clumsy. He curses himself for not having practiced more.
Pahleg 17
Ogre 12
Kekkle 9
Ulrich 8
Ushio 5
Round 3
Elyna circles to get a better aim at the ogre and shoots more fire. Despite being in a good position the attack barely hits the ogre.
Pahleg sidesteps and thrusts his spear at the ogre, but the attack falls short of wounding the enemy.
For a moment the ogre looks around a bit puzzled, but then continues swinging its hammer frantically at Ulrich. Ulrich, again with a well-timed block, evades the attack.
Kekkle keeps his other hand glowing while thrusting his rapier with the other. Inexperience with the chosen weapon proves problematic, and the ogre brushes off the attack.
Ulrich continues his calculated, defensive fighting. His latest attack proves ineffective in damaging the ogre, but at least he's keeping himself unharmed.
Ushio stabs the ogre. Except he won't.
Round 4
Ulrich keeps at the ogre with his careful assault, looking to out last the hammer-swinging behemoth.
Round 4
Once again Kekkle thrusts, this time just barely, barely falling short of penetrating the creatures hide. He's been tracking his comrades blows and is beginning to see that their myriad of paltry stabs are having little effect.
"Work together, focus attacks! Otherwise we'll be here all day."
Pahleg's hovering magic sword slices the ogre, delivering one last blow needed to bring the raging giant down.
Combat over.
The ogre falls to the bloodstained floor unconscious, but the victory was not without price: Goramar is gone. However, there may still be hope: after all, Ushio came back from the grasps of death. Maybe Goramar can do the same?
A quick examination of the ogre's hammer reveals it to be nigh-impossible to wield. The ogre was wearing some sort of primal hide armor.
Demon's Great Hammer
A massive hulk of a hammer, made of unknown hard material.Greatclub for large creatures (2d8/x2). Medium creatures may treat this weapon as an earthbreaker (2d6/x3) if their Strength score is 20 or higher. Weighs 16 lbs. Worth 1 soul.
Named by a godfearing ogre. A weapon of this weight was likely never intended to be wielded by anyone short of a demon.
Hide Armor (Large)
Armor made of pieces of beast hide, possibly wolf.Hide armor for large creatures. Worth 3 souls.
The Labyrinth has no shortage of monsters, and beasts are no exception.
"I'm sorry for your companion," Matt apologizes, his voice grieving. "Just where on emperor's land did that thing come from...? It's the first ogre I've seen in a long time here."
Kekkle lets his shoulders fall. The fight was over but yet another companion had been lost. He shakes away the sorrow, he had already made a new resolution. He wouldn't let this drag him down again.
He leaves the Ogre to be finished off by someone else and returns to the side of Corporal. "I wish to know more about this Dushica. What has she done to be left alone, in chains, to face the horrors of this Labyrinth?"
"Emperor's land? What emperor are you talking about? I can't remember anything... not anything important at least. Gods, what was her NAME...!", Ulrich says, the last comment said aloud but clearly to himself.
"It may be time we discuss how we all came to be damned here together."
With a slightly confused expression, Matt responds to Kekkle: "Dushica's a dangerous serial killer. She was transferred here a few months ago. Private Jhakarias transferred here at the same time, under orders of lieutenant ser Ysmus. Now that I think about it, only Jhakarias was aware of the specific information of the prisoner. Dushica was her name and her crime was multiple accounts of murder. And the chains? Jhakarias instructed us not to let her move one inch." He shrugs, to signal any deeper insight to the case.
He turns to Ulrich, smoothly changing subject, and smiles. "It's just a saying we had in Raetas. You know, like 'where the hell' or that. It's a bit rude, now that I think about it: comparing our dear motherland to hell! Ha ha ha!" He laughs heartily and continues: "Come to think of it, you haven't told me where you come from. Certainly not from Raetas, I take it? Where then? Coelia? Zin? Or maybe even Drageheim? That'd be something..."
Kekkle looks off into the distance as memory takes him. He had come to be in a small farming community in southern Zin, only a stone's throw from the border.
He brings himself back to reality; a name to a place was appreciated and all, but fond remembrances of a simple peasants would offer little comfort now. Though apparently Ulrich had something far deeper on his mind, something to bring up later.
He stands back up from where he had been crouching, at the Corporal's side, and returns to the topic of the prisoner. "Then I shall speak to her on the matter." and before Matt can object, Kekkle does his best to reassure him "I will have one of my companions let me into the cell, the key will remain with them."
While he awaits a response he returns to the Ogre...
Ulrich closes his eye, straining to remember.
"Raetas... yes... I'm from Raetas. I was sworn to Lord Corbyn of Ravensmount... until to my shame I eloped with his daughter. Her name was... I can see her face but I can't remember her NAME!... I gave up everything to be with her and... I can't even remember...", Ulrich slams his fist against the stone wall before grabbing the trinket around his neck.
"And this! THIS! It was real gold with emeralds, a token of my beloved! And now? Now it's naught but fool's gold! This place mocks me, even as I am punished for my faithlessness... for desires beyond my grasp...", he chokes out, frustration giving way to hopelessness.
"So I deserve to be here, for that and... and other things. So what did you all do, eh? There's bound to be some logic behind our predicament."
While the corporal is clearly unhappy about Kekkle's decision to speak with the prisoner, he remains silent. Before continuing back to the doors, Kekkle executes the unconscious sweaty hulk of an ogre.
Obtained 31 souls.
Kekkle takes Matt's silence as a sign to proceed and gestures Ushio to follow him, and the two open the large iron doors with the Prison Key. Kekkle enters the dark cell while the key stays on Ushio's hand, who remains outside.
"I knew I could count on you! Hurry, before the evil men come back!" the woman in chains whispers.
"Coelia sounds familiar. I remember a small remote village... We didn't really have any contact with the outside world, at least I don't think, I don't remember anything of politics. I don't know, it's still all a haze. Haze and flames.", the look in Elyna's eyes becomes distant for a few moments before she returns to the present and looks over to Kekkle and Ushio. She follows the men inside and affixes a flame to the inside wall to illuminate the cell, curious who they were looking at.
As the others begin recounting their past suddenly, Pahleg smiles. It is good that our memories are coming back. That is a positive sign. Pahleg closes his eyes and tries to focus, and in his mind he sees the vague outlines of buildings that begin to sharpen...
And then the accusing faces of his recently slain comrades assault him. Faces streaked with blood and frozen in moments of shock and pain. Pahleg suddenly opens his eyes and stumbles pack, sweating despite the chill in the air, eyes wide.
Ulrich keeps watch over the hallway leading to the prison encampment, making sure no other surprises are in store for the party.
"I knew I could count on you! Hurry, before the evil men come back!" the woman in chains whispers.
Kekkle avoids responding directly "I am told you are Dushica, my name is Kekkle. Can you tell me why you are here?"
Just as Elyna walks into the cell and provides light Kekkle questions the prisoner. Dushica, the woman completely enchained to the wall, is a human in her thirties and seems pale and weak. For a brief moment she looks at Kekkle in the eyes, her own eyes begging for help, and then answers. "Those men beat me and captured me. I... I never committed a crime I didn't have to. I was chased by an evil man and I hurt him in self-defense. It's ridiculous! Kekkle, please!"
She seems to notice Elyna but does not acknowledge her presence or address her.
Pahleg narrows his eyes at the woman.
Pahleg gets the feeling she's not lying.
Kekkle does his best to not let any emotion show on his face. He hated acting so stoic, but it was a necessary precaution given what he'd seen of the Labyrinth so far.
He continues "They claim you are held for multiple killings, was all of that still self-defense?"
"Multiple?" Dushica repeats. "No, no that's not true. Why are you asking these horrible questions? Do you not trust me, Kekkle?"
Her head turns, as little as it can, to face Elyna and then Pahleg. "Are these your friends, Kekkle? Oh, could I come with you all? I can be very useful, oh yes. Anything, please!"
Elyna's eyes narrow. "I think we should heed the good corporal's advice."
"Can any of you perhaps cast a light spell on my sword?", Ulrich calls toward the cell. "I'm a more effective look-out that way. I can still see with my good eye, but it still needs some light..."
"Stay your tongue, friend. I believe her to be honest." Pahleg gives Ulrich a light.
"Thank you. You're not cutting that woman loose are you?"
Kekkle halts his questioning to exchange a few words with Ulrich "Not at the moment; besides Ushio still has the key. Speaking of; you or he should check the other door, with any luck it may be some manner of supply room."
With that he returns to Pahleg, Elyna, and Dushica. He has taken a moment to consider what has been said so far.
Regardless of his feelings, he continues to hold his distance and speak.
"Multiple?" Dushica repeats. "No, no that's not true. Why are you asking these horrible questions? Do you not trust me, Kekkle?"
"No, not at face value. But I'm trying to reconsider my position, to give you a chance to make your case. The Knights have already pulled out, so the alternative is to leave you here, alone, in the darkness, until you either succumb to madness or are set upon by some beast seeking your soul."
There is a pause before Kekkle speaks again
"I'm having difficulty believing you a victim of circumstance. Why have you been left so thoroughly wrapped in chains and given your own cell, devoid of any other prisoners, with instructions that no one approach you? It strikes me as unusually perverse..."
"You say that you have never committed a crime you didn't have to...what other crimes have you committed?"
With each of Kekkle's words despair takes over Dushica's expression more and more. "How... how can you be so heartless, Kekkle? Don't leave me! You can't!"
"Those cruel men tortured me, I swear! Look, my body is all bruised." As her entire body is enchained to the wall, Kekkle and the others have hard time seeing any skin under the chains, yet alone distinguish any possible wounds. "Look! The men must have put me like this so you couldn't see them... If you let me free, I can prove it!"
"It's like I said! I... I only hurt one of them in self-defense and all of a sudden I am treated like... like... like a criminal..."
Kekkle inhales sharply. That last exchange had cut deeply and he was at a loss of how to continue.
"...If you'll excuse me" he says, though offers no other explanation to the woman as he turns away and has Ushio release him from the cell. He returns to Corporal Matt, and sits by his side.
"Corporal, I would like to take possession of your prisoner. Given the situation it is clear that Hellfire has already cut her loose, so to speak. You are in no state to take up post here, no offense, and it would be cruel to leave her here unattended."
"Kekkle, surely you jest. If she is under lock and key, there is likely a good reason. If your conscience troubles you so, give her a few souls to tide her over and leave her locked up. Do not forget that the very first man we met here was facing a bitter end due to crossing Hellfire.", Ulrich says.
"Besides- that cell is likely a safer place than with us. "
"You would rather have her fate left up to whim and fancy!?" snaps Kekkle.
"However, I agree that it would be to great a risk to bring her with us. That's why, instead, I am proposing that I merely take up reins as Warden, returning here for my rest between battles rather than elsewhere in the Labyrinth. At least until such time as she can be transferred or Hellfire returns."
Matt denies Kekkle's request. "Absolutely not. As long as I live I will follow orders, and mine have been to never let that prisoner walk free again until further notice. Listen, I don't know what lies she's been feeding you, and cruel or not a serial killer mustn't be let free." He seems very determined, and Kekkle feels it might be next to impossible to sway him. Then again, the corporal is legless and unarmed and currently has no authority over the group.
While Kekkle and Ulrich are outside the cell arguing about how to handle the situation, Dushica addresses Pahleg. "Have you always been this merciless?"
"Then here she will stay." responds Kekkle "But you are in a poor position to watch over her alone, Corporal. So I am offering to check in on you from time to time, for both your and the prisoners well being. Do you have a better suggestion?"
"I'm with Ulrich, and Corporal Matt for that reason. They wouldn't pin her to the wall so thoroughly if she weren't dangerous."
Matt shrugs. "That's fine by me. I'll stay here and do my duty while I wait for my legs to heal and the privates to return."
Pahleg feels torn yet again. Clearly one is lying, but he cannot tell from his intuition who. However Matt has proved himself more honest than her, so with a sad look he turns away from the woman.
Kekkle smiles at the Corporals compliance and, as a sign of their agreement, relinquishes his crossbow and bolts to the man.
Then he returns to the cell for hopefully the final time today. "I wanted you to know, Dushica, that I'm going to try and help you in whatever way I can. For now, that means investigating how you came to be here. Until then I will stop in from time to time, and try to comfort you as best I can."
As a sign of his good faith Kekkle approaches the woman and offers her up a single soul, to tide over the hunger at least.
Afterwords he takes Ushio and investigates the second door in the prison.
Corporal gladly accepts the weapon Kekkle offers and thanks him for it. "Take care. If any Hellfire soldiers bother your group on your travels, tell them you are enjoying Corporal Matt's trust. Who knows, maybe some of them remember me by name."
Kekkle stops by Dushica's cell, saying his goodbyes. Unlike Matt, Dushica does not seem pleased. "Oh, Kekkle. I had hoped you'd rescue me from this awful place. But it is comforting to know there's someone out there looking after me."
Lost 1 soul.
Seeing that the others are preparing to leave, Elyna welcomes more flames into her mind.
Elyna attains 3rd level!
Lost 30 souls.
Matt drags himself next to a wall, smiling, and watches as the group moves closer to the second door. The door is opened, revealing a room that seems to have served as guard post. Left to the door is a desk and behind it next to a wall a wooden bed with no bed pad, only a thin blanket. Next to the bed is a weapon rack which seems to contain some weapons that haven't seen much use.
Before the group has time to examine the room more closely, Dushica's soft voice from her cell calls: "Oh, Kekkle? One more thing I need to tell you. Could you come back for a moment, one last time?"
Kekkle does so, returning to the cell door but not going inside. To be truthful he was a bit wary of this sudden revelation on the part of Dushica.
Ulrich follows Kekkle, ready for this mysterious woman to break her bonds somehow.
Before following Kekkle, Ulrich steps aside to speak with the Corporal again.
"I've considered your offer, Corporal. I believe that I may enlist in Hellfire's service, as I've seen no others willing to take on the task of bringing order to this place."
While the others are cautiously examining the next room and Kekkle wanders to hear what Dushica has to say, Ulrich speaks with the Hell Corporal and speaks his mind. "I'm glad to hear that. Now kneel and lower your head, that should confirm it.
Ulrich does so, and after a moment of silence he receives a vision. Ulrich is surrounded by a sea of flames. He hears orchestrated clashes of steel in the distance, as if a battlefield of war had turned to a song. A dragon, only seen in legends, flies in the horizon and the flames grow larger, and soon Ulrich awakens.
Ulrich joined Hellfire!
Ulrich feels different. It is as if a fire was burning in his body: he feels passion and strength. Matt nods approvingly. "That there is the world you will protect with all cost. Even if the heavens were to turn against us, we mortals will endure it." He pauses, perhaps to emphasize the importance of his cryptic message, and then continues:
"Well, Private. You have a decision to make. Each member of Hellfire belongs to one of the three orders. These are the Order of Bonfire, responsible for guard duties; Order of Lantern, responsible for patrolling the grounds; and Order of Pyre, responsible for punishing wrongdoers. What sounds best for you? Take a moment to think about your answer.
Your current rank is Private.
Kekkle returns to Dushica's cell door and peeks in. Dushica's voice speaks softly from inside. "Could you return the prison key to the guard and move on?"
You feel compelled to do as she suggests, even though you can't help but suspect there's magic involved in her request.
Kekkle's head is cloudy, so when he responds he does so sleepily:
"Ushio has the key."
Ulrich breathes deep, a sense of power and purpose washing over him along with wonder at the vision he has seen. A new purpose besides survival.
"I believe I will be most suited to the Order of the Bonfire, Corporal. Can you tell me anything about what foes Hellfire faces?"
An eagerness gleams in Ulrich's eye that wasn't there before he swore his allegiance. On the whole, the way he stands has become more imposing than before.
"Good choice, Private," Matt says. "Most commonly our adversaries are those who've lost their mind due hunger or something else. You see, there's these shadows who go around doing what they please. I know Hellfire isn't always seen in good light by everyone, but the shadow gang - they're the real evil here. Other than them, well, stand against everything that stands against you."
Dushica's voice speaks to Kekkle again. "Then, could you please ask Ushio to hand over the key to the guard?"