Reiko strides to the held creature, closes his eyes for a second, and then speaks softly.
You don't deserve a painless death, but you'll have one anyway. I... I am a brute no longer.
His blade is quick and perfectly level as he slides it between the creatures ribs, and completely through the beast.
Antonio wiped his blade and hustled back to snatch up his crossbow.
"You heard Tania! Ogres will blanket this area right quick after this. We head for the village double time!"
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After a careful slice by Reiko, Baldek simply batters the thing brutally, proving once and for all that an ogre's bones can be broken.
There is definitely armor, but it's rather large, nasty, and cumbersome. In the pouch, there are a few coins, too - and a lot of things most folk would rather not touch.
is the total coinage from all of the ogres so far. (The warriors had an extra 20 each, 1d20 otherwise.)
Jun arrives, a bit out of breath, just as the fight is over.
For those unfamiliar, on his back is a particularly wicked looking greataxe, with scallops on the black blade, and vanes running through it so that it resembles a bat's wing.
Jun says after he catches his breath, "The village is as prepared for an ogre attack as it will ever be. Doran fled and left his great axe. I didn't know what to do with it, but didn't want to leave it behind, so I brought it along, won't do me any good though."
Jun looks around, "I see some new faces. I'm Jun, former guardsman out of...no where important, anymore."
Seeing Alyra he looks relieved. Deep down he knew she was the key to finding out what was happening to him, or at least on how to learn to use his new found gifts.
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Hate to do this to ya, but the ogre camp is just west of here, a few hundred feet. We need to get away from here before they see what happened. I doubt they'll follow us all the way to Lakeroot!
Tania glances over her shoulder several times as she talks, and begins heading up the road even before she finishes.
Aya takes the gold, distributes 10 gold to each participant (Alyra, Aya, Jun, Sakuro, Tania, Baldek, Reiko, and Antonio) and keeps 66 gold in the party treasure. As she distributes the gold she introduces herself to Baldek. Well met Baldek. I am Aya, a lowly farm girl and newly wizard. I am the party treasure as well. I bid you welcome to our little band, if you want to join us.
As she gives Sakuro her gold, she says, Sakuro, When we get a few quiet minutes I would be happy to let you look at my spellbook. and smiles.
Now while Nia'Nikta was nobility she didn't go around showing it off that much. Unless, necessity dictated she was in traveling clothes or entertaining clothes. Today was the former as she had been traveling the outlying farms learning about the crops and the various old tales she could scrounge from the farmers.
Now Nia'Nikta cut an impressive figure even in such clothes. They were well made and her tall well built figure atop her massive horse gave her an imposing height, while her friendly smile and want to stop and talk to everyone made her seem approachable despite this fact. Her hair was pinned up out of her face but fell in waves down her back. She wore armor and carried a shield and sword. Her horse didn't wear armor but his dappled grey flanks with his white mane made him stand out along with his heavy build. She didn't decorate him ribbons because that would be very rude to her companion.
While not much information had been gathered the last farmer had a particularly harrowing and horror filled tale that has sparked her interest quite a bit. She truly felt for the man and his lose but the idea of these mysterious cults and stones made her want to know more. 'Does it have a connection to the Titans? Is there anything I can glean from it. Would I be able to figure out what they are trying to do?' These questions and more filtered through her head.
"I truly wish you and your daughter the best and if there is any assistance I can give before I leave. Please, come ask me. I will help how I can." She told him as they approached the town. "I would ask if possible, that I meet your daughter's rescuers. I would wish to thank them also." Secretly she wanted to gain any knowledge they have on the stone and what it could mean. Also, see if they knew anything about Titans.
Aya hurries to catch up and walk with Tania. Do you have any idea how many more ogres there are?
"Welcome Baldek!" Antonio said as he scanned the surroundings for ambushers.
Jun looks at the dwarf, "Well it is heavy to lug around, and it is no use in my hands. I'd much rather have this thing put to good use if we run into more ogres. Sure go ahead and take it, for now."
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Well, I think there are four young...he has one warrior left...probably no more than a dozen adults. I think fewer, like nine or ten at best.
Tania keeps looking over her shoulder as she hurries, and slows once she sees Jun falling behind - and no visible pursuit.
As you get to the village, there is a beautiful, statuesque woman - with a riding horse looking your way. There aren't many riding horses in the village, and you'd remember her...
Aya walks over to the beautiful woman. Good day. I am Aya. Welcome to the festival, although it isn't very festive this year.
Nia'Nikta looks at the elven woman and nods her head in greeting with a soft smile "Good day and well met Daughter of the Elven Star. I am called Nia'Nikta and it is a pleasure to meet you. Please excuse me but I must ask your leave. If you don't mind I am going to help your friend. He seems in pain from trying to keep up." Nia's voice was cultured and pure. Her tone and inflection easily showing that she had some proper teaching and schooling. Nodding she would nudge her horse around the group and to Jun.
"Good Sir, do you wish a ride. I can see you are in pain trying to keep up. I offer a ride to ease a little of that. You seem in a hurry and it would be my honor to help you." She would dismount and motions to the large horse who just stares around them his ears flicking back and forth.
Jun at first wants to refuse but after running to his friends and hustling back his twisted leg was throbbing in pain, "I thank you for the offer and will take you up on it. Only because we ate in a h urry, of course."
"Of course. I am happy to assist." She would give him a hand up and would mount up behind him her horse quickly eating the distance to the group as they headed in. Once near the group she would ask.
"What pray tell has you running so? Is there a great danger coming to the village and the festival?"
Reiko pulls his katana out of the ogre's chest, and in a single deft movement, slices it through the air to shake the blood off, and sheathes it. His eyes are conflicted, seeming confused about his feelings of what just happened. When Aya hands out the gold he takes it absently, sliding it into a pouch on the inside of his belt. When the dwarf calls himself a party member though, he snaps out of it.
Forgive me, Baldek, but before you decide to travel with us, you must know that what we are doing is dangerous. People have been killed already, and that axe you are holding has tasted more innocent blood than I care to speak of. I would caution you to asses your own prowess in battle before following. That being said, if you have the skill, I am more than happy to welcome you. My name is Reiko.
He extends his hand for a handshake.
Reiko takes up the rear, watching for anymore ogres to follow, and occasionally speaks with Aya about her training and her style of magic. When the woman appears, he makes his way to the front, his hand casualy resting on the hilt of his blade. He assists Jun onto the horse, and whispers to him while doing so.
Be wary. She may not be trustworthy friend. I am glad to see you back. I thought we had lost you with Caius and Doran.
He introduces himself to the woman, and a small smile makes it way onto his face.
Greetings, fair lady. My name is Reiko, of the Arashi family in the Misty Isles. You sound to have a noble upbringing. Pray tell, what you brings you out here?
He dileberately avoids bringing up the mist monsters, the killings, or any of the ogres to see if she says anything about them first.
"Well met madame!" Greets Antonio cheerily to the horsewoman.
"I am Antonio Nedraid, Deputy of Lakeroot."
He glances back over his shoulder, looking for movement.
"We have been dealing harshly with a band of ogres that have been making nuisances of themselves, and they may decide to lash back."
He turns back.
"Are you new around here? I don't recall seeing you before."
Nia'Nikta just smiles calmly as she accepts Reiko's assistance getting Jun on the horse her ears listening to him.
Though she doesn't make out anything before she mounts up behind him.
"Reiko of the Arashi Family of the Misty Isle it is a pleasure to meet you Son of the Elven Star. I indeed sound like I am of noble upbringing. When you are trained to be a bard to entertain the nobility, one must sound cultured and refined even in normal conversation. What brings me out here is the search for knowledge and a great story to be retold among the courts. One doesn't just get attention there on looks alone and many stories have been retold." Her voice held amusement as she answered his statement.
"As for what brings me out here it is just that quest. To find the right story. Though to be honest I have heard an interesting one but wish to hear the truth from your lips as it involves most of those within the group." As Antonio speaks up she turns to look at him and smiles bowing her head courteously.
"Well met Deputy Antonio Nedraid. I am new to town yes. I had spent the last few days visiting the outlying farms talking with the farmers about old tales and their award winning vegetables. Attributed to the pure waters of the lake by many tales. It wasn't until this morning that I came to a farmer in one of the furthest fields and he told me about what has befallen him and his daughter. I came with him back into town when I saw you approaching."
Shifting her wieght slightly her horse moved ahead. "Let us not tarry. If there are ogres about then we must make sure the town is prepared. I can be of assistance if you wish it. I am good with a sword. Also, I study monsters and creatures and can tell you weaknesses when I see them. That is if you wish for me to assist."
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
The sheriff steps out from behind a makeshift barricade as the party arrives.
I'm hopin' fer some good news. What's the situation?
If even possible, his expression is more taciturn than usual.
Aya smiles at the sheriff. We thinned them but there are more. I will let Tania give you the details. Why don't we meet at the Mug backroom, get something to eat and drink, and discuss strategy? We also can discuss any party needs that we might be able to buy while we are here. Baldek and Nia'Nikta, please join us, if you want.
Antonio grinned.
"We bagged four of 'em! Before we had to bug out. Man those things hit hard." He winced at the memory.
Aya looks at Baldek for a moment, then scans the other party members. What do you say, should we help Baldek purchase some good armor? We have some gold in the party treasure. Let's head to the Mug and discuss that and the ogres.
Aya starts walking towards the Mug.
Well, we should definitely have a conversation. I can't think of a better place, neither.
The sheriff heads for the 'Mug, then pauses.
Dwarf. I don't think I know you.
The sheriff stands there and loads his pipe.
Even more to the point - there's a couple dwarves here in the village. One's a merchant. Stingy, but he trades some damn fine steel. The other is his bodyguard. I doubt either one would wanna give up their armor fer a stranger, but I have heard the merchant say he can arrange ta have armor made, iffin' ya got the time...an' the money. He ain't quick, an' I hear it's his father that does the work, an' he ain't here. He does fix the stuff.
Manton is busy with customers as you get to the inn. It looks like he's had a busy day - in addition to the crowd, which is significant, there are spears scattered across the room, and a few bows, axes, and a few pitchforks and the like.
You're back! Ok, a bit overly obvious.
The big man hustles forward - Everybody that can do anything has weapons handy. It's crazy. At least half of them have the sense to be terrified!
Manton takes a breath, serving a nearby table before he continues.
Looks like you're all still alive. Did ya get some ogres?
The sheriff finally makes it into the inn, and motions for silence, and the back room. Manton sighs, shrugs, and opens the back room door.
Aya enters the Mug and scans the room looking at the patrons and the weapons. Then she speaks to Manton. Good sir, could we use your backroom again? Also, I know you are very busy, but we could use some of your wonderful drink and food. Oh, and yes, we thinned the group a little but there are many more.
Manton's jaw goes a bit slack, as his brow furrows.
Many.
He goes to the bar, taps an ale, and drains it, and with obvious effort replaces his usual cheerful mask.
Of course. I'll have the missus load some platters.
He immediately places a pitcher under the tap, and collects mugs with the other hand.
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Everyone in the Mug stares as the party passes through.
A few manage a smile, and a couple of steins are lifted in salute, but nobody speaks louder than a mumble - until Baldek gets to the door, and the sheriff gives him a blank stare.
I sense latent power in him. The group trusts him, as well - they gave him the axe. I think he needs to be here.
Alyra's musical voice seems to be more unnerving than soothing, to the sheriff, but he shrugs and steps aside. Alyra urges Baldek in with hands seemingly of water - not that he gets wet.
Almost as soon as the group gets into the room and the door is closed, Tania speaks up:
We can take one of two basic tactics, as I see it. We can try to do our damndest to make sure nobody in the village gets hurt - just fight a defensive battle as hard as we can - the patriarch will call them back if he feels they aren't making any headway - but they're likely to return.
Tania takes a deep breath, then continues:
Or - we can go after him. The patriarch. We can do everything possible to bring him down. If we can, the others will rout, and they won't come back. In any case, if we can rout them, it's good - but if he's left alive...
Tania looks into everybody's eyes, one after another -
...he'll make a bad enemy, in days to come.
Aya listens intently to Tania, looks at the party, and says: Then we need to do our best to take the patriarch down. Any ideas on how best to do that?
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Well, I like what the magics did. Alyra, can you do that again? If we can freeze him in place, we might luck out.
Tania looks at Alyra and chews on her lower lip.
That last warrior will be guarding him, no doubt, so it won't be easy - and all of the others are likely to come running if they see him in trouble.
Yes, I can, though it's an imperfect spell. He stands a chance of breaking out of it. A much better chance than his followers, I'd assume.
Alyra is playing with the pearl she wears as she speaks.
Antonio leans back in his chair, rapier over the back and a glass of wine in hand.
"Hmm. A distraction would serve, don't you think? A couple of those big smoke bomb things at the edge of their camp, draw off the guards."
Tania, You said that you didn't believe that the ogres would follow us and the town has erected some temporary barricades. So, do we attack their camp tonight?
Nia'Nicta looked at the party and followed them into the tavern after stabling her horse. Looking at Alyra in fascination she would keep her council for the moment.
Reiko ponders the words of Tania and Aya for a bit and then speaks.
The patriarch has to fall. It's the only way to break his forces. And we have to do it powerfully. If we can frighten the ones that are left so that another leader is too afraid to step up, then the town will be that much safer. Thankfully, with magic we can make it look more brutal than it actually is. I get the feeling this will be an extremely difficult battle. Aya, if you can make me another scroll of that enlargement spell, that will help me face the ogre patriarch one on one, allowing everyone else to use magic and superior tactics, instead of everyone just piling up.
He grimaces at the thought of a one on one fight with an ogre leader, and then looks at Antonio and Baldek.
On second thought, how about as many as you can get, and we'll hold him off with all of our martial warriors, and you, Alyra, and Sakuro can use magic to inhibit them while Tania peppers them from afar?
He then turns to Nia Nikta and a wry smile finds it way onto his face.
And what of you? If you tag along for the tale you'll more than likely find yourself in a fight. What means have you to combat ogres?