Perception
"That sounds like someone or something being whipped. Hurry... Beordt... help me move this crate. We must stop whatever is happening... and I've a feeling I know the sound of a slavers lash when I hear one".
STR (Athelitics)
And Lil with the motivation of what is happening head lending her extra motivation, pushes aside a crate to enter.
"Then we must move with haste." Rilkus said, as he offered his considerable strength and size to Lil's efforts
N'Dateh looks to Qwerbrack and whispers: "Where are we? What do we hear?"
Qwerbrac tilts his head and listens as Dur, followed by Toki slip to other side. The frogman flicks his tongue rapidly near the gap almost as if he's tasting the air. After a few more seconds he turns back to N'Dateh...
...and is pushed aside by Lilly and Rilkus. The crates grind across the stone floor as Lilly puts her shoulder to them. Rilkus follows after the minotaur, his gearforged strength moving the stack even further until a metal hand burst through the thin wood, shattering several slats.
Dur and Toki are the first to spot the pair of ogres who stand guard near a set of bamboo cages hanging from the ceiling. Another half dozen bored frogfolk also acts as guards, although it looks like three have been put in charge of cleaning the area under the cages because they are busy with wide shovels scooping bones, dirt, and other refuse into big pails. Once a pair of pails are filled, one of the frogfolk grabs the buckets and starts up a rickety staircase.
Inside the cages are a dozen men and women of different races and cultures. All look worn, starved and filthy. It takes a moment or two, but the bard is the first to recognize the ships captain and several of the other crew members among the imprisoned.
Turning toward the noise of the moving crates, the ogre's spot the intruders and start lumbering forward. The biggest of the two shouting orders to the frogfolk and pointing a meaty finger toward the crates.
Toki calls out at one of the ogres, I haven't seen anything as ugly as you! I'd rather kiss a horse's rear!
Dur fires a trick shot at the ogre that Toki shot at. Better to strike fear into the hearts of our foes by eliminating a single target before they can act!
Beord moves forward toward Toki and Dur. He lets loos an arrow at the closest ogre.
Rilkus advanced on the ogre, but his blow was off and it sailed harmlessly through the air.
Dacknar tries to use the fight as a distraction as he works his way around to the cages. Keeping to what shadows he can he moves quickly to try and get to the cages, he tries to remember every thing he has been taught about locks.
N'Dateh feels uncertain about her surroundings, not wanting to commit. She opts to move to the crate and fling a ball of fire at the closest ogre.
Dur scurries forward, leaps atop a barrel and then leap higher as he releases an arrow that lands directly in the closest ogres thick neck. Unfortunately it the steel tip strikes fat for the most part so the wound isn't as deadly as the ratfolk may have wished.
Toki's words flow across the open ground and spill over the lead ogre. For a moment the bard's enchantment magic simply doesn't find enough intelligence and brain matter to wrap it dissonance around, but then it discovers there is a brain inside that large cranial cavity and with ease distracts and distorts the lumbering oafs aim.
Another arrow from Beordt lands true and another trickle of blood flows. Lilly calls down a burst of holy fire upon the creature searing away the few strands of greasy hair upon its scalp as it is unable to duck away from the blast.
D'Nateh adds her own fiery ball to the assault while Rilkus charges forward, his metal feet crashing across the stone floor. But his momentum carries him only so far and the distance is too much for him to connect with his hammer.
Meanwhile Dacknar slinks along the wall among the crates and barrels invisible to the enemy who all focus upon those leading the charge.
Confused, smoldering, and pierced the lead ogre lets forth a bellow of fury, drawing a large pointed stick from a small quiver slung across its shoulder. It continues to try and shake the bard's meddlesome magic from his mind, but to no avail. Still it raises the heavy javelin in its trunk like arm cocks it back and drive it forward like a ballista. The ogre sized javelin catches Toki directly in the chest knocking the bard completely off his feet and crashing into a stack of crates. The brittle wood shatters spilling clay pots of olive oil about the area. The bard simply twitches several times as his life blood mixes with slowly spreading oil.
In a similar move, the second ogre sends a javelin flying toward Dur. The little ratfolk only has time for a high pitched squeak before the javelin slams into his left shoulder and side, spinning him around as unimaginable pain erupts across his entire side.
Qwerbrac leaps forward shouting in a series of croaks and groaks and ribbits to the other frogmen in the room. Apparently a language known only among his kind, but whatever he says it at least causes the creatures to hesitate for the moment.
Ogre #1: 41/59
Ogre #2: 59/59
Frogman #1: 12/12
Frogman #2: 12/12
Frogman #3: 12/12
”Over here!” Rilkus intoned as he smashed his hammer into the wounded ogre. ”Face me!” He continued, hoping to get it’s attention.
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"Toki! You killed Toki! You bastards!"
The little rat's fury is something to behold, firing off another trick shot at the wounded ogre. He seemingly shrugs off the majority of the javelin, and attempts to put this creature out of Dur's misery.
"Toki! Find strength, we need you!" shouts N'Dateh as she moves forward to where Toki lies and sends healing energy his way.
Dacknar keeps to the shadows, making his way to the cages. Then seeing Toki fall, hardens his resolve to free the captives.
Beordt roared in fury and charged the ogre with blade and teeth.
Beortd spits ogre blood back at the monster yelling to Toki, "Quit trying hitting on the Valerie and stand."
Toki gasps in a breath at N'Dateh's plea, desperately looking around seeing the giant javelin protruding from his chest!
Forcing himself to pull the weapon from his own body, he lies flat and heaves! With a scream of effort, the heavy pole clatters to the ground, and Toki pulls himself behind a crate...
"Beordt, you have to back up Rilkus!" Toki calls out, "I'll join you soon!
Seeing D'Nateh kneeling next to Toki, Lilly joins the others in trying to bring down the lead ogre as quickly as possible. Calling upon her god she conjures a furious blast of holy fire, unfortunately some instinct within the beasts mind acts and the ogre lunges clear of the radiant power. Although the blast does not connect, Lilly's effort momentarily blinds the creature with its brilliant light. This gives Rilkus enough time to complete his rush and drive his hammer straight into the ogre's midsection. A sickening blast of hot, rancid, air bursts from the massive creature's stomach and lungs washing over the gearforged dwarf like a wave of pyroclastic fetidness.
In a clear demonstration of why his people have survived through the centuries, Dur ignores the big javelin sticking from his shoulder attacks. Calling upon his inner reserves and strength, the ratfolk sends another arrow glancing off the iron forged body of Rilkus and into the chest of the ogre.
Following the gearforged, Beordt rallies with a roar and slams his jaws down on the ogre's arm after opening up a long cut across the giant's midsection with his big scimitar.
While the others continue their assault, Dacknar creeps along the wall toward the cages and what looks to be a series of hooks where the ropes holding them aloft are all tied.
Staggering under the numerous blows, the lead ogre shouts with a mix of pain and rage. It's beady, black eyes focus on the gearforged in front of him as he pulls forth the big iron shod club hanging at his waist. With surprising quickness the ogre whips the huge club around, faster than the iron dwarf could have anticipated. The sound of metal on metal booms through the cavern as iron plating crumples and gears grind with ear piercing whines. The gearforged rocks back, but he is by no means down.
Grabbing his own great club, the second ogre steps up to the growling Beordt. Just as the bearfolk releases his grip on the lead ogre, the giant lands a tooth jarring blow to the barbarian's face. The ogre grins a yellow gap-toothed grin at the bearfolk.
"I'ma gonna make a rug outta you! And suck the marrow from your bones." He booms in drawling southern.
Qwerbrac continues to call to the frogmen, at one point your recognize the word Schaphigroadaz amongst all of the guttural frog chatter. Something seems to have clicked for at least one of the guards as he turns his short bow away from the direction of the party and instead shoots his comrade across the way just as the creature was raising its own bow toward Qwerbrac. The third simply continues to hesitate, unsure or unwilling to commit to either side.
Ogre #1 HP: 8/59
Ogre #2 HP: 59/59
Toki takes a breath and rushes behind Beordt, placing his hand on his ursine friend's back and laughs, That valkyrie sends her blessing, my friend.
Then he backs up a step. He hates it, but he is in no condition to mix it up in combat after that javelin... He would be a detriment more than a help.
The steel dwarf rocked backwards, but kept to his feet. With a 'Tsk' he stepped forward and drove his hammer into the ogre once more. As he did so he taunted, in his metallic voice "Goblins hit harder than that!" keen to keep the very dangerous ogre focused on him, and not his flesh-and-blood companions.
Dacknar sees the opportunity too good to pass. So he whips a dagger at an Ogre. End over end it files through the air.
If hits:
And then he sinks back into the shadows to make his way to the cages.
Beordt roars and bites again before bringin a knee up to make some space between he and the ogre to slash the bellow of the monster.
EDIT:
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Time to fire more arrows!
"Oh. Toki's fine then." Dur says somewhat sheepishly.
[b]Me and my crits! Not very effective, huh?[/ooc]
Watching Loki get right back into it makes N'Dateh smile, then her smile turns to laughter.
She laughs and laughs, until the laughter turns darker, primordial and savage. She convulses and the hair on her head suddenly grows and her teeth stretch impossibly.
And then she is no longer there, replaced with an impossibly large hyena.
But you recognize her laughter...
As she transforms, N'Dateh gets moving and closes on the nearest ogre, snapping at it.
Lil decides that a little more powerful holy blast is called for, and sends forth a wide steaming beam on holy energy Guiding Bolt
look out... here it comes...
Radiant Didn't see that one coming did you???
"Slavery! I hate Slavery"!
Rilkus slams his hammer into the wounded ogre one last time. There is a bone shattering crunch as the blow collapses the giant's sternum and several ribs. With a last blood filled gurgle the ogre goes crashing to the floor.
Seeing the first slaver fall, Dur quickly adjusts his aim and sends an arrow streaking toward the second ogre. The steel tipped shaft strikes the slaver's shoulder at about the same time as a dagger flies from the shadows to stick deep in its side.
"Kill them you slimy green flyeaters!" It snarls at the hesitating frogmen. It's beady black eyes flashing toward the frogmen for just a second. "Don't think I haven't noticed your betrayal."
The ogre's fury is silenced when Beordt, having been revitalized and healed by Toki, charges over and opens a huge gash with his sword across the beast's chest and tears another chunk of flesh from his arm as the ogre tries to deflect the barbarians raging attack.
D'Nateh transforms into a big hyena and following her eerie laughing bark, she tears her own piece of flesh from the ogres exposed fleshy leg.
The cavern is suddenly filled with a burst of light when Lilly unleashes more powerful magic from her holy repertoire. The radiant light sears with the heat and power of a small sun. The ogre screams as it's eyes pop and fatty flesh around its head and neck boils and melts. Soon enough the scream simply ends and the smoldering heap crumples to the floor.
One of the frogmen attempts to run for the stairs, but the other two cut him down with arrows before he can get half way up.
Qwerbrac, his eyes gleaming with holy fervor, steps up and grips the arms of the two frogfolk. "You see my friends. *croak* Our time of freedom and glory is upon us. Schaphigroadaz has gifted us with powerful allies. *groak*croak*croak* With them at our side we can be free and reclaim what was once ours."
The two frogfolk blink and gaze and the corpses of the two ogres and then nod at Qwerbrac. "It is as you say Qwerbrac. Their power is great and we will serve Schaphigroadaz well." They then bow to Qwerbrac and toward everyone of you.
N'Dateh surrenders to her instincts and feasts upon the ogre, but the taste turns her stomach and she growls as she spins and retches.
She turns to the others and gives them a disconcerting predatory smile. She waits for them to proceed, then follows.
Beordt looks at the greatclub and smiles. "Its nice to have a big damn weapon for all occasions." He looks about for additional useful things.
Toki lets out a breath, then turns to Rilkus, Are you okay? We need to continue.
Rilkus tapped a steel hand to his chest. The worst of the tears and dents mended themselves, leaving him looking far less battered. ”Once we have time to rest I can finish repairing myself. Thank you for your concern.”
Rilkus is able to mend some of the damage inflicted upon his metal frame while Beordt searches the bodies of the fallen ogres and some of the nearest crates. The bearfolk finds little of use of value beyond the big clubs and sharpened poles the creatures used for javelins. A single key hangs from a metal ring on the lead ogre's belt. The crates contain various trade goods from more olive oil, a dozen bolts of fabric, and a crate of carved teak statues of various minor gods.
With the help of Qwerbrac and the other frogmen, Dacknar is able to safely lower the cages holding the captives. The simple locks are easily opened with the key found on the ogre. Among the captives are the worn and battered survivors of the crew of the Delightful Rose. Weak, thirsty, and several appear to be quite ill, they still greet you with astonished surprise and happiness.
The other captives are revealed to be former slaves who had tried to escape from the north, but were recaptured. In their current malnourished and sickened condition most of the rescued captives likely won't be able to make any strenuous or long journey any time soon.
As you settle in for a quick rest, a door slams open somewhere down the hall the ends at the top of the stairs.
"By the White Ones bones, what are you toads babbling about!" A deep, rumbling voice roars. "And what was all that noise. I swear if you or those two dimwitted louts spoiled another bit of goods, Verrick will throw the lot of you into chains. And I'll see your hearts serve the Goddess herself."
The voice is followed by the sound of hard booted footsteps stomping down the stone surface of the hall.
Beordt tosses the keys to Dur.
When the sound of footsteps approach. He looks about, "More are coming. Perhaps we should take up an ambush position."
N'Dateh, as Hyena, gives Beordt a kindred smile and hurries to the nearest shadowy spot.
"Huh? Key for me? Alright then..."
Toki curses to himself, debating on using his last spell, shakes his head and moves to conceal himself behind the crates...
At which point he steps right in a bucket, causing him to trip and fall into a crate, knocking over!
For his part, Rilkus stood still, behind the body of an ogre. It didn't even fully cover him.
Lil looks at both Toki, and Dur and realizes they are hardly ready for a pitched combat.
"This will tax all the divine energy I have for the day... but you need it more than I at the moment".
CW on Toki Cure Wounds
CW on Dur Cure Wounds
"Now let's see what awaits us".
Toki suddenly looks as if he had a burst of vitality, color returning to his face, and he nods to Lil. He draws his two axes, preparing to jump into the pending combat...
Everyone who can scatters and looks for a place to hide. Like any good ratfolk, Dur quickly finds a nook in the wall near the base of the stairs where he almost seems to disappear into the shadows. N'Dateh and Beordt hurry back among the crates and barrels, using the old cargo to cover their presence as best as possible. Rilkus simply squats behind the corpse of the fallen ogre. It's unclear to anyone whether the gearforged is attempting to hide or if he's suffered some sort of malfunction. Either way the metal dwarf looks quite clever when compared to Toki whose pratfall leaves him sprawled across the floor. A perfect position to receive a bit of healing from Lilly, and also perfectly easy to spot as a pair of nervous looking frogkin step carefully out of the hall and onto the landing at the top of the stairs. They are followed by another ogre.
But this one wears some kind of hide armor and carries a big spiked mace. And he lumbers into the cavern and onto the landing, his black eyes peer down on the main floor where the bodies of the two ogres lie cooling in their own entrails. And where Toki is busy regaining his feet and drawing his axes.
"Well, well. What do we have here?" The ogre rumbles, loosening the big mace and revealing a big sharp toothed grin. "It looks like dinner has decided to make a run for it." He pauses, stretches his back for a moment and then shoves one of the frogfolk forward sending it practically tumbling down the stairs. "What'er you waiting for. Shoot 'em you pipsqueak." He says pointing a meaty finger at the bard.
The startled frogs both send arrows zipping off into the cavern missing the bard by a huge margin. One wayward arrow ends up sticking in the crate covering Beordt, which causes the bearfolk to raise a wondering eyebrow.
"Oh by the White Ladies goodies, is that the best you can do?" The ogre shouts at his compatriots. "I guess if you want a bug squished, you've got to do it yourself."
He starts down the stairs, but then spots Beordt, N'Dateh, and Lilly all among the crates.
"Oh ho! Seems we've lots 'o rats aboard today." He steps back up to the landing. "Doing a little slave stealing are we? Tsk, tak, tak. Ole Tibor is going to have to teach you a lesson in that case." With a pursing of his fleshy lips he whistle down the hall. "You lot. Get your scrawny legs down here."
Beordt grabs one of the dead ogre's javelins. "Here my mother wouldn't condone stealing." He launched the javalin at one of the nearer frog folk enemies.
The 'malfunctioning' gearforged abruptly broke into action. Charging up the stairs. With a thunderous sound of steel clanging on the ramp, the very large and very sturdy steel dwarf slammed into the frogman with bone crunching force.