Shards of the Titanswar

Game Master EldonG

Yes, those were at the barn.

I/We will eat on the road as we go to Lakeroot.

Varuk does come to, with help...but he's staggering, and not fully lucid...and has a wicked headache. The same holds true for Antonio. Reiko does get a little groggy, but it passes.

Reiko helps anyone along that needs it while on the trip back to town, thoughtfully eating his packed food. His mind is focused on the memories that halfway returned to him when the spell was cast on him, and why it made him react the way he did.

We also take the great axe and breastplate if we find them. As I understand it, there are 5 of us plus the old woman making the trip back to Lakeroot. Is that correct? If so, dividing the coins by 5 results in 67 gold 104 silver 4 copper each.

As I haven't heard from Tisa, you can call her an NPC for now, and make it four, if you wish. She's happy to be free with her belongings again.

Aya, Reiko, Varuk, Antonio, and Jun. I count 5.

Good. Five. Still asleep. :p

Still unconscious.

Even if nobody helps, Antonio will come to by the time the party is ready to go. He likely wishes otherwise... ;)

Jun and Reiko both have offered to help those whomever needs it. Or at least I thought I had posted that...

The party travels as quickly as reasonably possible, anxious to get back to the stability of the village, and the good ale at the Giant's Mug...and no sooner do you arrive, than one of the young deputies runs out to the road, bursting with news. The sheriff and Manton are in the back room with some young woman...sheriff really wants to see you guys! Hey...where are...those big.guys?

Reiko brushes off the questions with a wave of his hand and replies
Take us to the sheriff. Now. There is foul evil afoot in your town. These people here are to come with us to face justice for their crimes and to provide us with more information.

The deputy nods at Reiko and clears the way for the wagon...Step back! Make way! These heroes are here to see the sheriff!

The crowd, which was starting to gather, makes a path...and for all his youth and inexperience, the deputy gets you there as quickly as you could imagine.

I'll watch the wagon. I'm sure the sheriff is anxious...

The inn is crowded, but they do let you through...watching...

No, they are far too dangerous. They will stay in binds, and come with us. Please, take me to the sheriff now.

Jun agrees with Reiko follows Reiko as he keeps alert, "We need to get there soon. Far too many people here for my liking."

The door to the back room opens, and the sheriff's head pokes out...Thought I recognized them voices. Don't wait for no engraved invitation...it ain't comin'.

The sheriff opens the door fully, and waits...

Keep in mind, the old lady is VERY unconscious...she'll have to be carried, to bring her in.

Aya starts to lift the old woman. Help me get her to the Sheriff.

Falcon, upon hearing that the 'heroes' are back and need help, goes to them and tries to help with the old woman. Here. Let me help.

Drag her if we must. She deserves no gentle handling.

Saying that, he grabs her roughly about the shoulder, and drags her into the room with the sheriff, where unceremoniously dumps her on the floor face first.
This woman can tell you about what is going on sheriff. We found evidence if her involvement, and of strange, twisted experiments gone wrong in the farmhouse. She is somehow involved in the murders, and the strange attacks.

The two of you manage to get her into the back with little trouble. Those of you who are from around Lakeroot recognize Tania...

Well...so these are your heroes? Aya...Antonio...it's been a while.

Tania looks everyone over...

We have an ogre problem. A whole clan of ogres...the ones I've been watching...have come down the mountain. They're camped on the road, ambushing merchant wagons...and eating merchants...

Tania is as small as Manton is big. The contrast is something. Her long hair would be beautiful, if it wasn't snarled...she has a pretty face, but it's painfully obvious that she lives in her tattered leathers.

Their patriarch...is damn dangerous. I can't figure him out...he's canny...even shows caution. He understands living for tomorrow, and not just today...and he's been watching over his extended family...for as long as I know.

She takes a long pull on an ale...Damn, how I miss this. You've gotten even better.

Tania, good to see you. Wish it was under different circumstances. Wonder if the ogre problem and the recent cult summoning activity have anything to do with each other. This old woman, an alchemist of reasonable skill, was involved with the cultists.
Maybe their leader. Does anyone recognize her? We found her with several other cultists and some weird creatures at the farm we went to.
There was a small underground tunnel/room system that connected the farmhouse to the graveyard.

They have young. Whatever you do, don't kill one unless you want to face any that can get to you. Most ogres would care less, but this one has taught them to...value their young. They have some experienced warriors, too...and I'd be careful around them...

Tania looks around again, and sighs.

While I was up there, I practiced as a bowyer. Chessie is guarding them, out by the river. Two longbows, four short. They aren't the work of a master, but they function. You heroes don't seem to be much on bows...but they beat getting in an ogre's face. Try it before you buy it...and I'll sell 'em at a quarter off...I plan on living to collect. Any takers?

Sheriff Perton looks closely at the old woman. Oh, Hell, that's old lady Holman. She should be...fifty or sixty by now...impossible. Damn. She was supposed to be dead...some twenty years, now...damn.

Tania considers Aya's words, for a minute. Well...they came down for...some reason. The festival...sure...but that's still for what...two weeks, almost? Why are merchants...leaving?

...there is a pregnant silence...

The burly servant of what these people would call a "primitive" god looks around at the others in the room. Hearing what they are saying, he considers the information.

"Greetings, Sherriff. I am Varuk Beaststalker, of the Rauka'ateepa. My path crossed with your heroes in the burial crypts attached to this farm. With my people, it is my role to take in information like this and put it together to find the enemies of our god and people. I would be happy to help your village for the time being. It seems that there is a deeper plot at work here. Though a few pivotal clues evade us. I suggest you attempt to ambush the Ogres. It is the only way to gain an advantage against them. Once they are dealt with, perhaps a new gleam of insight will come."

He stops to think about the old woman for a moment.

"And questioning the old crone should also be a priority. Once she is healed, you should not be gentle with her. She surely is connected to this conspiracy."

"Thanks for the offer of a bow, but I have never fired one in my life, and would rather stick to the crossbow. Point and shoot is easier."

"About the ogres, how many are there? We may be able to pick one or two off if they stray off on their own but if their numbers are too big that will be a problem. Frankly after the day we have had with her, my main thought is some food and some sleep."

Food! Ah...yes...be right back...

Again, Manton pulls his disappearing act...

They number in the twenties...though the ones with any real combat experience, I can count on one hand...still, any adult ogre is not to be discounted. Yes, two or three at a time...or even...preferably...one.

Tania focuses on Varuk, but scans everyone.

We need a plan. Who knows everyone's strengths? Weaknesses?

I too could use some rest. But first, Tania, how much are you charging for your bows? And Sheriff, we could use some coin for supplies. Would it be OK if we sold the pair of horses and cart we got at the farm?.

Tania answers...Long or short? At any rate, 75 gold for the long, and 58 for short. I have arrows, too...standard, 20 for a gold...but if you buy a bow, I'll give you 20. I have limited numbers...but those make pretty fast.

Moving his gaze to Aya...We haven't had a chance to talk about it yet...but...if there ain't no livin' claimants to the house...standard practice is it goes to the village. If the house was taken from villianous sorts in the first place, it's pretty much the same deal. Seein' as Manton is Mayor, an' all, it's up to him...but I can pretty much say...anything you wanna claim from the property is yours. Could ya use the house, itself? I can likely swing that, too...

I understand. Thanks. Then Aya turns to Tania. I'll take a long bow with an extra 20 arrows. Got any quivers?

No problem. Come see me down by the river after the meeting is over. That goes for anybody interested.

Tania looks impatient...strangely enough, she's looked pretty impatient this whole time...and she's watched ogres...for years.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"Hey Tania! I may need another bundle of crossbow bolts." He waives in a friendly manner.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"Ogres hunh? Some very tough nuts to crack. Well alright then."
He tries to think.
"Where do they operate? Is there some kind of terrain we can catch them in or lead them into to isolate them from each other and so pick them off separately?
Knowledge:Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Just one sense motive is good for both...so peek away, Antonio. :)

No crossbow bolts ready, but I can make 'em. I'll have 'em tomorrow...hopefully pretty early. They came down from the mountain...just past where the road splits off to Morda's Pass...and the Roost. They aren't far from the split...two, maybe three miles past it, just where it gets pretty rocky...right by the road.

Tania uses some mugs, platters, and silverware to make a makeshift map.

...less than five miles away.

"If a nut is pretty hard, you just need a bigger hammer, right?" Sakuro asked, putting her hands on her hips rather proudly as she addressed the group from her position by the doorway. Not that she was an especially intimidating sight all on her own... though she did at least seem rather healthy overall, and stronger than most people might expect from someone her size. "I think I can help with that." she said, looping an arm around her cousin's neck to stop him from squirming away.

...and the young man looks REMARKABLY uncomfortable...

Sakuro...OGRES...I mean...I'm not crazy...OGRES!

Maybe he's not as enthusiastic as she is.

"Fred, think about who really controls the territory." the girl said, keeping her grip quite firm. "Ogres are big and nasty, yes, but so are lots of other things, and there's a reason they don't dominate the whole world. Namely, normal and decent folk like us, the elves, and the dwarves are all completely awesome when we feel like getting stuff done. We have magic, we have quality weaponry, we have tons of training, and you don't need to come along on this one. I'm sure these people are going to go somewhere else eventually, and I'm betting they'll let us tag along if we do something for them first... like, say, help them out with this little ogre problem. Traveling with a group is much safer, right?" Of course it was. That was why caravans existed, and this way, they'd practically have armed escorts for at least another part of their journey. Not that she'd actually call them that where they could hear... but it wasn't insulting, either. It suggested a person of talent and skill doing something useful for other people and getting something in return - really, if you thought about it, it was a compliment to call someone that.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Varuk is not yet accustomed to these soft folk and so he remains oblivious to the meaning of Tania's body language.

Varuk looks to Tania after she and Antonio make their deal. "I, too, could make use of extra bolts if you have the time."

Looking to the sheriff he then states, "I think it best we set out in the morning to scout the situation. Shall we meet shortly after dawn at Tania's campsite? Is there more to discuss now? If not, I will go find somewhere to camp for the night."

I believe that Manson went to get us some food. After he returns with the food, I would like to have a meeting with all of us that were involved with the capture of the old woman. If the rest of you would wait in the bar, I would appreciate it. Thanks. We all should meet again after we eat. OK?