With Rilkus out of the midden, everyone easily outruns the ooze. Toki and Lilly force the door close. Although the rather large gap between the base of the door and the floor means pursuit may still be possible. But as luck, and the ready availability of an easier meal, would have it the slurring slime looses interest and returns to the fresh meat piled atop the mound.
Having escaped the trouble for now, Qwerbrac leads everyone back through the tunnels to the T intersection that leads either back to the slave pit or up into the keeps main hall and quarters.
Calling for quiet Qwerbrac creeps forward up the sloping tunnel to an open arch. Beyond the arch is a simple rectangular room. Several piles of broken or unusable gear sit along the east wall, while two exits can be seen. One to the north with leads to a short stairway and one to the west, which opens into an open courtyard. Rain falls in the courtyard and the light is gray and dreary. The sound of the pounding surf is occasionally punctuated by the rumble of thunder and a flash of lightning.
Sitting huddled just inside the room are two frogfolk. Both hold stone tipped spears and seem to be looking nervously out into the courtyard. In fact, they are so focused on whatever is happening out there, that they've no idea other dangers may be sneaking up from the tunnels below.
Toki asks N'Dateh to translate to Qwerbrac, Can they be turned to our side? Or are they going to be a problem?
Dacknar wait's for Qwerbrac's response.
N'Dateh crouches behind the rest of the group. As she spies a hint of open sky within reach, a smile creeps up on her face. She wasn't the tunnel type.
Lil turns to their most recent convert.
"Perhaps if you approach them first you will be able to reason with them, and convert them to your ideal of freedom. If things go bad simply signal us by raising both hands above your head, and we'll take an alternative approach".
Persuasion
The newly rescued frogkin looks between Qwerbrac and Lilly and although still confused and somewhat amazed following her unlikely rescue, the frogkin gives a slight nod and steps forward with Qwerbrac.
The two frogfolk quietly approach the watchers whose eyes go wide and throats work in startled terror at seeing the one rescued from the midden. There is a quiet but frantic exchange in their croaking native tongue. Four sets of eyes peer back toward where you wait. They turn back and talk more until there is a loud, grumbling shout from somewhere outside.
"This ones dead! Get rid of it and bring another!" The threatening voice rumbles over the falling rain and tumbling surf. "I'll weed out the traitors and backstabbers among you slimy skinned weaklings."
The shouts and words seem to decide the matter among the frogfolk in the room. They shuffle away from the entrance and return with Qwerbrac.
"*Croak* They have agreed to join. *Ribbit* All believe it is better to join with Schaphigroadaz than be broken like snails under Verrack's boots. *groak*" Qwerbrac says. As he talks he turns to point back into the courtyard. "Verrack's second, Volg, is interrogating my people. *groak* Trying to find out who killed others and rescued slaves." He shakes his head sadly but with growing anger in his eyes. "So far more than a dozen, including, Grinda..." He puts a hand on the rescued frogfolk's shoulder. "Have suffered at his hands so far. *croak*"
He nods toward the stairway. "These two say that Verrack himself broods up in his quarters *groak* after raging much of the night."
Let us go, before more of your people are hurt for our actions, then, Toki rests his axes on his shoulders and begins walking toward the booming voice.
"Did they say if there are others in that room that are completely loyal to Verrack or Volg?"
Pulling his club from his pack. Dacknar holds it out to the new recruit.
"Qwerbrac can you ask him if he is ready to fight for your people?"
The metallic steps of Rilkus joined Toki. Not one to waste words, it was with action that he showed his agreement.
"I was raised that violence was always a good solution to any given problem." The rat gets out his bow and follows.
N'Dateh tilts her head: "Time for action. Let's bring these tyrants down."
Beordt roars out inspired by the heart of his companions, "Live Free! Die Gloriously!"
The rescued frogfolk, Grinda, takes the club from Dacknar a look of grim determination and hunger for revenge upon her wide speckled face.
With a nod to Dacknar, Qwerbrac adds, "All are ready to fight. *croak* Tired of being stains beneath giant's boots."
To the second question he points up the stairs. "No one here knows who else is with Verrack in his rooms. *croak* Most often it is his witch, Brim, but she hasn't been seen *groak* for several days. Grumph and his men went on search for those who escaped. *croak* Hasn't returned yet." He eyes turn to the courtyard and the pained, frightened, gurgling screams of another frogfolk under the ministrations of Volg.
"*groak* Three of Grumph's men are with Volg in the courtyard." He clenches his hand into a fist. His anger at how his people, and himself, have lived and been treated over the years. "They must die. *croak* But others will fight, you will see."
"Qwerbrac, you or one of your kind should be leading us to the fight. So all of your clan can see that it is the will of Schaphigroadaz to rise up and free yourselves of your evil masters. And we" Pointing to the others of the shipwreck crew and passengers "are here to help and not take over to become your new masters.
So where do you think the will of Schaphigroadaz would want us to fight first? To kill Verrack and maybe his witch Brim. Or to the court yard to save more of your people and weaken Verrack's grip on your clan?" Dacknar says.
N'Dateh nods. She will follow Toki.
"I am torn. I hate to waste resources on the underlings, then be overwhelmed if this Verrack is very powerful or well supported. Do you think the underlings would fold if we indeed take out their leader"?
The tortured frogfolk screams again from out in the courtyard. In response to Lilly's question, Qwerbrac and the other frogkin shake their heads.
"*croak* Volg is a mean, iron-hearted, brute with ambitions.*groak* If Verrack falls, he'd simply try to take over." Qwerbrac says, stifling a shudden shiver at the thought of Volg and the sounds coming from outside.
Broken out of his fear by Dacknar, Qwerbrac takes a deep breath. "I will lead us." He says gesturing toward his fellow frogfolk. "And if we can stop Volg, *groak* then others will certainly follow us. It might even *croak* win over a few of Grumph's warriors."
The stench of burning meat drifts through the open door followed by another pained scream.
"Tell me who was in on it you little piece of slime!" The voice of Volg rumbles. "I'll pull the weeds from this back water garden even if I have to roast every one of you scrawny toads."
With pure burning hatred in her eyes Grinda lifts Dacknar's club in her hands and let's out a wild war cry. "No time *croak* *croak* talk, talk. Kill Volg! *groak*" She shouts in broken common. With fierce, wild eyes she charges out of the room and into the courtyard followed by Qwerbrac and the other frogkin then Toki, N'Dateh, Dacknar, and the rest of the survivors of the Delightful Rose.
Charging out into the courtyard, you come upon a gruesome scene. Three frogfolk are imprisoned and being tortured by a hulking ogre dressed in thick leathers and with a wide brimmed hat perched atop his ugly head. The ogre currently twists a crack which lowers one of the chained frogkin closer and closer to a hissing, popping pit of burning coals.
A second frogkin is tied to two crossed posts forming a large X. The prisoner bleeds from several wounds and appears to be unconscious.
A pair of frogfolk with blue tinged skin around their heads and chests, lift down another prisoner who was stretched out on a rack like device. They carry the broken and seemingly dead creature over to an opening near the north side of the courtyard and dump the body into it.
Other frogkin can be seen lurking in the shadows, watching the big ogre and his accomplices with fear and more than a little hatred.
When Grinda, Qwerbrac and the others charge into the courtyard, Volg turns away from his grim work and grabs a nearby hammer he'd been using to pound stakes into one of the prisoners.
Dacnar pulls back on his short bow and lets the arrow fly at the Ogre.
But a frogman eager to get into the fight bumps into Dacknar causing his arrow to go wide.
"Dam ye flippy flop." Dacknar says under his breath as he watches his arrow skitter off the cave wall.
Beordt rushes in his great scimitar bared, he roared in fury against the grizzly scene. "I was there!" He bellowed in challenge to the ogre.
Beordt slammed into the ogre like a furry wave of claw and muscle. His sword missed but his teeth found a hold. As he pulled his head back he spat the ogre's own blood at him.
Three hundred pounds of steel and fury charged in. There was no battle cry, no words of righteousness...just action and anger.
Toki strides forward and says, Another ugly sod... See? This what happens when you have relations with your siblings!
N'Dateh concentrates: "Let the desert's djinns light up your skin, that judgment finds its mark!"
Beordt rushes forward javelin ready. He takes a hop step and hurls it at the ogre.
N'Dateh stays five feet behind Beordt, not wanting to close in just yet.
Dur waits for people to close the distance before trying anything particularly fancy with his arrows, but still advances towards the ogre before firing a shot at it.
Determined to save her resources as best as possible, Lily sends forth a gout of Sacred flame hoping the creature has little luck dodging it.
DC12 DEX save or Radiant Damage
You charge into the courtyard following in the wake of the furious frogfolk. Toki's bardic magic, delves into the nooks and crannies of the ogre's mind and blurs the creatures vision as it raises its burly arm to strike an initial blow. Dacknar's arrow flies high and gets caught in a gust of wind. The feathered shaft simply disappears over the wall and into the jungle far, far below. Taking heed of Dacknar's lack of success, Dur is able to compensate for both weather and ally. The little ratfolk's arrow strikes true, embedding itself deep into Volg's fatty side.
With a roar, Beordt charges forward and then stops about midway across the courtyard to send a javelin flying toward the surprised ogre. The narrow tipped short spear slams into Volg's shoulder. Following in the wake of the bearfolk, N'Dateh tries to illuminate to natural aura of the enemy. But ogre and blue skinned frog folk all dance away from the swirling mass of faerie fire and do not succumb to its effects.
Rilkus charges across the courtyard behind Qwerbrac, Grinda and the other two frogkin while Lilly holds the rear guard and rains holy fire down upon the maddened ogre.
Other frogfolk gasp in shock and surprise at seeing some of their own charging the ogre and his blue skinned allies. But within moments throaty croaking cries of Schphigroadaz and Freedom and Down with Grumph begin to echo from the doorways and rooms surrounding the courtyard and the simply towers overlooking the main gate.
Volg HP: 98/120
Blue Frog #1: 30/30
Blue Frog #2: 30/30
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Toki slaps Beordt on the shoulder then twirls his twin axes staying about 20 feet from the ogre, Tor smiles on you this day. Blessed Valkyrie await you!
Beordt rushes in his great scimitar bared, he roared in fury against the grizzly scene. "I was there!" He bellowed in challenge to the ogre.
[dice=Greatsword]1d20+5
[dice=Bite]1d20+5
[dice=Bite Damage]1d6+3Beordt slammed into the ogre like a furry wave of claw and muscle. His sword missed but his teeth found a hold. As he pulled his head back he spat the ogre's own blood at him.
Beordt rushes in his great scimitar bared, he roared in fury against the grizzly scene. "I was there!" He bellowed in challenge to the ogre.
[dice=Greatsword]1d20+5
[dice=Bite]1d20+5
[dice=Bite Damage]1d6+3Beordt slammed into the ogre like a furry wave of claw and muscle. His sword missed but his teeth found a hold. As he pulled his head back he spat the ogre's own blood at him.
Joining Beordt’s Charge: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Silver Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Three hundred pounds of steel and fury charged in. There was no battle cry, no words of righteousness...just action and anger.
Dacknar breaks to the left and then closes in on the ogre. At about 20' Dacknar sends another arrow at the great beast.
Then he drops out of sight, letting the chaos around him to hide his movements.
N'Dateh runs and seems to trip as she advances, but in her fall, her shape becomes fluid for a blink and, when she lands, she is Hyena, the desert's rage and cruel humour. She stays low and turns as he reaches the group, going for a blue frogkin's throat.
Now that his allies were in melee range, he returns to the old standard of firing off a trick shot.
Toki slaps Beordt on the back, invigorating him with a bit of Thor's bold strength and then gives the bearkin a shove forward. Ready to oblige, Beordt charges in next to Rilkus and swings his great sword catching nothing but air. But the bearfolk is able to nip the big ogre's arm as it moves to parry one of the frogkin's attacks.
Standing strong and firm, Rilkus uses the distraction of Beordt's charge to good effect and connects with his hammer. The silver head slamming into the giant's midsection and forcing a burst of stale grotesque breath to burst from Volg's lips.
Arrows fly from behind the brawlers. Dacknar's once again misses and just avoids catching one of the frogkin in the leg, before the elf slips into the shadows. On the other hand, Dur manages another trick shot that pierces Volg's offhand right through the center of the palm causing the beast to roar in pained frustration.
Seeing the two blue skinned frogkin as additional threats, N'Dateh charges toward the closest changing form as she goes. By the time she reaches the enemy, her hyena jaws snap as the little warrior, yet he's nibble and manages to leap aside bringing his own short spear to bear against the big carrion eater.
Lilly continues to shower the ogre in holy fire. Surrounded, Volg is unable to escape the continued blast of holy fury.
Volg roars at his assailants and brings the big iron bar crashing down upon the skull of the nearest frogfolk. With a sickening crunch the little warrior's skull collapses. A second quick blow tosses the limp twitching body aside.
The blue skinned frog warrior stabs forward with his spear and catches D'Nateh in her shoulder. Although the wound isn't much, it creates enough of a distraction that the druidess doesn't spot his partner coming in from her other side. The frog warrior slams his own spear into the big hyena's side right between a couple of ribs.
Volg HP: 72/120
Blue Frog #1: 30/30
Blue Frog #2: 30/30
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Toki takes a few breaths and charges in, sliding along the ground to flank Volg, and swings at the ogre's hip!
We will send you to Hela's embrace, for she will keep your coward's soul! Rilkus, now!
Beordt seizes the opening that Toki creates and brings his greatsword in hoping to end the ogre before him. He followed the sword strike in with another bite.
With Toki's words echoing within Rilkus' head, the gearforged raised his hammer and allowed the divine power of his goddess to infuse it. The weapon glowed with a golden light, which was comforting to the faithful and terrifying to those with evil in their heart. The gearforged didn't say a word as he swung the holy weapon straight into the ogre's head. There was a *crunch* as the divinely powered hammer met the ogre's skull. It was the kind of blow which would have killed a normal man, but Rilkus didn't think that they would be so fortunate here. Ogres were known for their durability, and if this one was their leader then he would certainly have proven himself strong enough to bully the others into submission. Regardless, he was certain that it would hurt.
N'Dateh yelps in pain and pretends to retreat, but then snaps right back when the frogkin tries its luck.
Seeing N'Dateh being swarmed by the blue frogmen. Dacknar spring out and fires an arrow.
Being sick that his aim is so off, maybe the bow still has water damage. But none the less. He tosses the bow aside drawing his sword and dagger moving up to a blue frogman.
Hoping to end this fight quickly and decisively, Dur notches two arrows into his bow and fires them at the ogre. "Our combined might is too great for any individual to face!"
Seeing the Ogre begin to reel from the onslaught of her dangerous crew, Lily keeps putting pressure on the beast with her holy fire.
"Die"!
Sacred Flame
Toki and Beordt form a deadly dancing duo that distracts the lumbering ogre well enough that the dim witted giant is unable to set a proper defense against the bearkin and his trusty blade. Beordt's steel slices deep into the ogre's leg and the bearkin manages to tear another meaty bite from the his arm.
But the intricate movements also provide an opening for Rilkus as the ogre turns away from the gearforged dwarf. The holy warrior's hammer bursts to life, it golden light forming a beacon of glory and hope within the dreary wet confines of the courtyard. With a grunt the ogre turns toward this sudden offensive brilliance only to be met midturn by the iron powered hammer.
The skullcracking blow staggers the big ogre causing his legs and knees to tremble in sudden confusion and paralysis as all signals from its brain are brought to a sudden and complete halt.
As the ogre rocks slowly in Dur bounces one arrow off a frogfolks raised club and lands another hit into the ogres already weak and trembling knee. Taking advantage of the beasts helplessness, Dur pushes himself to the limit, drawing another arrow. This one his places perfectly through the creatures beady, black eye. Steel and shaft rip and tear more brain tissue leaving the creature utterly incapable of movement below the waste. It starts to slowly sink to the ground, when Lilly's fire erupts around its head and burns away any remaining brain matter that may have still been functioning.
Qwerbrac and the other frogfolk scramble back as the ogre crashes to the wet ground with a great soggy splash.
Meanwhile, D'Nateh manages to nip one of her adversaries, but the nimble creature slips aside before her jaws can truly clamp down. In retaliation, it again jabs its short spear and catches the big hyena in her shoulder creating another nasty bleeding puncture. His companion dances in as well, but this time D'Nateh shifts at the right moment and the second spear misses.
Volg HP: 72/120
Blue Frog #1: 25/30
Blue Frog #2: 30/30
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Tell them to give up... No sense in more bloodshed amongst Qwerbrac's folk, Toki nods to Beordt and Rilkus, We have a leader to break.
Toki looks meaningfully to Lil, as she is the only one that can talk to the Frogfolk right now.
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Tell them to give up... No sense in more bloodshed amongst Qwerbrac's folk, Toki nods to Beordt and Rilkus, We have a leader to break.
Toki looks meaningfully to Lil, as she is the only one that can talk to the Frogfolk right now.
Hearing Toki's words Beordt thumps a foot on the ogre's chest and roars a bear howl his head moving in an arc as the bellow leave his lungs. A common tactic he and Toki have adopted where a grizzly display is followed by an offer to re-consider living. He pulls his sword to him in a ready position and waits for someone that can speak to the frog folk can offer them the chance to join the fight for freedom.
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Sliding up next to the blue frog kin. Dacknar lay a blade on one frogs throat while holding out the other blade to the other blue frogman.
"For I am death, and Schaphigroadaz's will guides me. Surrender now and live or forever feel the wrath of Schaphigroadaz." Giving the frogs a hard cold eyes.