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"I think Lord Zohan has the right of it by asking what the ogrekin are. I'm ready for most anything but I'd like to take just ten minutes to ask this question at the church or maybe of a local hunter. Perhaps this wood isn't in the opposite direction we're travelling and irrelevant...unless the ogrekin have been manipulated to travelling off the reservation. It's the enemy you don't see coming that gets you. After that our feelings will very much be in concert. Biscuit XVIII will undoubtedly be glad to move, as well."
Lucan agrees, "Let us head on to the fortress. Let us keep the signs of the Sihedron in mind, for it doubtless is pointing us to something. But, we are not likely to tease out just what that is standing here and talking."
He winces as people talk about the possible origins of Ogrekin. He does not want to think about it.
To Karla, Lucan says, "As far as tactics go, I am a front-line fighter. I am better with my sword than I am with a bow, but I carry a bow because sometimes it is needed. I use spells, or a wand, to enhance the damage that I do with my sword. I would be most grateful for any blessings and empowerment you can provide... as well as for any magical healing you can provide, as I tend to get beat up quite a bit fighting on the front lines. My armor is good, but one cannot help but take some hits."
He looks to Shelalu. "Will you be accompanying us?"
"Aye I will join you, I'm curious about solving this mystery myself."
"I understand from the tavernkeeper that we ride right alongside the Kreegwood when we head north toward the fort. Whatever these ogrekin may be, I wouldn't bet against seeing one on the way there or back, should we return this way."
Zadderk somewhat squints his eyes to see if the Owl he called for is coming. Something should have definitely woken one up and called it to him, but for the life of him, they never take this long under normal circumstances. "Any minute now!" he says, scanning the horizon.
A grumpy owl shows up quite irritated at being disturbed in the middle of the day.
As the creature lands on Zadderk's arm, he uses his other hand, producing some feed in the form of that recently stripped turkey leg. He figures if the eagle enjoyed it so much, the Owl may very well do so as well.
Zadderk speaks to the owl as he hands it plenty of the turkey leg, hoping to peruse it.
"I don't fly that high into the mountain but the forest is very active of late. I saw several of the lumbering folk, I even saw one of them chasing a bear not far from here." replies the owl.
Lord Zohan listens with interest to the odd, hooting language emerging from Zaddick's throat.
"Just one lumbering human thing with dogs chasing a bear close to the river at the place were humans cross."
Hearing that, Zadderk raises his arm. and audibly says thank you before whistling for Dasher, but cuts it short when he realizes he's barely a foot from the wizard. "Thank you, friend! Sleep well!" he says as the bird flies off.
Zadderk then turns to look at the group, whom seems to have taken a mild interest in his "Owl whispering". "Err... I've news! They'res an Ogre-kin, most likely, on the way to the Fort. He's got dogs, ta' boot, which means he's huntin and chasin' a bear near the river on the way. We'd best be off! If'n we can get the drop on 'is one, we could just learn from'im. Fool won't last long. What say ye' cuz I personally don't wanna miss 'is opportunity." he says, assuredly.
You figure the place were humans cross is most likely the bridge which is 3 miles north of turtleback ferry.
"I figure it's 3 miles ta' the north at a bridge. No time't all. Less than a' hour, at best." he says he readies his crossbow.
"I used to serve as a Taxmaster, where sharpshooting and pursuit skills were honed more than a divine connection. I expect to be able to heal you more or less fully once a day in a pinch, but more than that is unlikely."
Andras is impressed by Zadderk's winged informant. "This falconer learned more from a bird than I did from people!".
He eagerly stands up and imitates reloading his weapon, to make sure it still functions flawlessly. "Can you get the owl to show us the way?"
Excitement can add flourish to Serra's language MAKE HASTE! WE SHALL DEPART ANON!...but seriously, all, I'm going to get Biscuit XVIII and we're going to be ready downstairs. While I hate combatting dogs I fear no creature that uses them. Let's go see what this ogrekin is made of. He stands and approaches the door. I will see you all outside. provided the rest of the party moves in similar strides, Serra will prepare his horse and begin the journey outside the city with his new companions.
Lord Zohan sighs in resignation. "Yes, I can see that you young people are eager to wet your blades and arrows. Withers, please tell the cook the venison was delicious but the green beans really needn't boil so long. Then ready the horses, would you? We've a bear to save, it seems. After that, he mumbles almost to himself but still audible to his remarkably perceptive colleagues. "At least it's on the way to Fort Rannick."
You go north and make your way to the bridge. You cross and enter the Kreegwood. It takes some time but you do find the bear or rather it finds you. The creature charges out of the woods heading towards you. It appears to be wounded and you hear barking not far behind.
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If he does not have time, he will still move aside and prepare his shot from horseback.
"Come, colleagues, we must get out of site to set ambush." Serra turns his horse to the woods.
Unsure how many dogs are following the dangerous creature, Lord Zohan and his entourage move away from the bear's trajectory and prepare to cast web in an area that catches as many dogs as possible.
Looking over at the bear, Zadderk raises an eyebrow. It seems odd, the way it acts. Squinting his eyes he wonders if there's anything really special about it, but figures it's just an ordinary bear.
That aside, he spits, with the bow readied. "I can practically smell'em..." he says, readying his attack at the first Ogre or Ogrekin that comes into view. His hand grips the weapon tightly as he smiles, excited to put his best foot forward...
Five dogs come chasing after the bear soon followed by the an ogre-kin hunter.
Zohan unleashes his magic trapping the two in the middle in thick webs and Zadderk fire his crossbow landing a solid on the ogre-kin hunter who stumbles caught of guard.
"Why you attack me?!? I was only hunting bear! I'm going to kill you now! he shouts
That was the surprise round, I rolled you won init.
Enemies are still a good distance away the closest one being the dogs 50 feet away and the ogre-kin is 80 feet away.
You can each post again then it's enemies.
Upon hearing the ruckus in the woods, Andras dismantles not too gracefully and trots away from the bear's path to the opposite side of Zadderk. He takes position behind a tree and fires as the Ogre-kin is distracted by Zadderk's well-placed shot.
However, whether it's the consequence of a rough horseback ride or perhaps undue emotions from witnessing Zadderk's marksmanship, Andras notices that his aim is slightly trembling. He takes a deep breath and tries to stay focused on his target.
With his mount, Chestnut, steady and out of the bear's trajectory, Lord Zohan grasps a silvery green metallic rod from his vest pocket with one hand and draws a pinch of powdered lime and carbon from his spell component pouch with the other. Gesticulating gracefully as he utters the arcane key words, the lime and carbon dissolve in a flash and the aura on Karla's greatsword intensifies.
He deems it prudent to remain on horseback for the moment.
Serra shoots off another arrow. If the dog he shot at originally is still up, he shoots it again. If not, he shoots at another one.
"Because you're ugly and call us shallow but we've got problems with ugly!"
Serra's first arrow took hits a hound and his second arrow strikes the same hound again but it's still up (no sneak attack because it's beyond 30 feet)
So far the ogrekin has taken 39 damage and a dog has taken 10.
Lucan draws his sword as he runs forward to attack one of the dogs.
Can he get there in a charge? If so, he'll do that; -2 to AC (down to 18), +2 to attack roll.
Andras fires at the ogre-kin hunter but he badly misses his target with his first shot and he recovers a bit but still misses with the second.
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Cast greater magic weapon on Karla's weapon not realizing it was already enchanted.
(At least he extended the duration)
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Karla inspires courage on the group improving their performance.
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Lucan draws his sword and charges an unwounded dog and slays it.
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Zadderk reloads and fires at the ogre-kin again but misses this time.
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Shalelu aims and fires two arrow at the ogrekin hunter landing one minor hit.
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The bear runs up closer and turns to face it's pursers turning it's back to you.
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The ogrekin moves up 30 feet and trows a Javelin aiming for Zadderk.
The dog Serra shot turns around and runs.
The remaining (unwebbed/uninjured) dog attack the closest person which is Lucan.
Lucan has no trouble avoiding it's bite.
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You can all post again, ogrekin hunter is 50 feet away from everyone except Lucan. Lucan is 15 feet away from him fighting a dog.
Karla's shouting riles up Andras, reminding him of the worst commander he ever had. Determined to put a stop to it as soon as possible, he lines up his crossbow a second time and releases two more bolts at the ogre-kin, figuring the dogs will scatter once the hunter is down.
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Lucan turns to the dog that just attempted to bite him, and brings his sword down towards it with a flourish, cutting into the beast.
Charge finished, AC is back to 20.
Lord Zohan's eyes widen at Karla's style of 'encouragement', but he feels his blood stirred nonetheless. He briefly considers his inventory of spells and decides that they are all simply too powerful to throw away on a single misbegotten ogre and his surely abused dog. Instead, he pulls out his crossbow absentmindedly while he studies the bear, whose behavior and lack of fear toward the humans seems unusual. He readies an action to move should the bear or the dog take an unhealthy interest in him and his minions.
Swiftly dodging the Javelin as it comes by, Zadderk pulls 3 bolts out of his pockets, throwing them into the air, his hatred of the enemy infront of him surging wtih an immaculate fury. He was in his element as he pulled the weapon back with surprising swiftness, letting loose 3 shots that seemed rather on-call, and relentless in their pursuit of the ogrekin.
"The bear isn't normal! I think it's a companion, so don't harm it! Might belong to one of tha' arrows. Can't remember who's!" he says as he lets the shots rip.
Andras is surprised that the bear doesn't use the chance to escape its hunter. In the heat of battle, the meaning of Zadderk's words seems to elude him.
"So is it going to attack us, yes or no?"
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"No, it's not, so keep yer' mitts off'f it!" he says as he traces a bead down on the Ogre once more, not waiting to see if the shots felled it.
The ogre-kin drops and the dogs remaining dogs are beaten or scatter.
The bear comes up to you and bites Zadderk's wrist and start pulling at it and moves away and waits you think it wants you to follow it.
Ogrekin loot: 3 masterwork javelins, +1 spear, belt of giant strength +2, favorite blanket (ratty, flea-infested, and decorated with several Black Arrow insignias*)
*The black arrows all wear the same cloak and each bears their insignia. this blanket has 3 insignias attached to it.
"Well done, gentlemen, and Miss Keg! Particularly fine shooting, Zadderk. You weren't kidding when you said you knew how to bring done a giant. Even a less than gigantic giant."
"You said you were a Black Arrow yourself. Do you recall anyone with a bear companion? This one seems to be waiting on us."
Lord Zohan is still on horseback. "Commendable how calm you stayed, Withers. Much appreciated. Shall we follow the trained bear?" he prompts before guiding Blackey up to the others.