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The mayor claps in his meaty hands and twirls the ends of his moustache in a gesture of appreciation A fine song indeed and quite a tale...I know you bards like to overdo it a bit, but this one was genuinely good, heh. He then beckons one of the villagers to him and has a short whispered exchange with him, before he explains The flying monsters have been seen circling above the far side of the lake for the last three days...I wonder what they are doing there...
Once the "new party" has finished the introductions and the refreshments have been enjoyed thoroughly, you return to the taproom, to find it much more crowded than before. The frontier people of Turtleback Ferry watch you with a strange mixture of awe, hostility and thankfulness. Some raise their tankards, others spit to the ground and some just nod solemnly in your direction. Except some whispered comments, there is a long moment of silence until the rosy-cheeked mayor walks over to you... Good to see you back and alive! We heard of the great things you did, but I think that no thirdhand report is able to make us understand what you did at the fort. So, why don't you join us in an evening of drinking and heroic tales?
The barkeep shrugs and raises an empty tankard Well, this inn here is not what you would call a shrine of Cayden...yet still the best place here to have a beer...anyway, I don't expect you to do anything - neither sitting back, nor running around brandishing your swords, shields, banners or whatsoever. I just want Turtleback Ferry to become the nice border town again it was before you came here and started killing ogres and all that stuff... Still shaking his head he guides you up to your rooms, cozy double rooms imitating the style of hunting lodges. Baths will be ready withing minutes, ye need anything else?
The barkeep grunts and shakes his head Well rebuilding isn't very appealing when monsters soar above your head, ready to strike down every moment... looking at Karlan's stony face he remembers the paladin's wish for a bath Ah yeah...I'll prepare your room...and bath.
The barkeep grunts in agreement and puts the bottle on the bar. For a moment he just beholds your reunion, then remarks dourly A nice bunch of...yeah of what? Heroes? By now you didn't do much to help Turtleback Ferry...just made everything worse...
The barkeep puts the tankard he was holding down and massages his forehead Good news...indeed...but...well the mood is a bit overcast here in Turtleback Ferry by the fact that two winged monstrosities, snakelike somehow, have been attacking the city since the day you left...at first they were met by some manticores who tried to drive them away, but the manticores didn't stand much of a chance and now no one is safe in the open...And...yeah...some of us had the idea that the sudden appearance of those two monsters might be somehow connected to your crusade against Fort Rannick...
As ypu step into the Turtleback Inn, you are quite surprised to find the place deserted. Only one of the many tables is occupied by two weary looking fishermen and the bartender stands behind the bar, nervously swiping the counter. No one here thought you would make it back alive...is Fort Rannick really cleansed of that monstrous ogre spawn?
The merchant looks up to Karlan and grins abou' twenny days, m'lord... he looks over to the inn and after a moment of hesitation adds I could ask the innkeeper whether you can stay there fo' free...how abou' that?
When Karlan pulls the haul in front of the trading post, a burly, red-bearded man steps out of the door and gives you a curious look Didn't expect to see you ever again...looks like a nice find what you got there. He clicks his tongue and steps out fully into the rain Gods...has been raining for three days now...ok...uh...what do we have here...aha...oh nice... After a while he has finished checking the loot and clicks his tongue again Can only pay you half the pile now...the other next moon...ok for you?
The way back to Turtleback ferry is tiresome, light rain drizzles down from stony grey clouds and seems to melt with the peaks on the horizon. The barren landscape of the wooded foothills is not a bit more inviting than during your ascent, but still you feel elevated. The defeat of the Kreeg-clan head feels like is a milestone in your quest against the strange cult around the ancient Runelords. The village's dirty main street is empty and the only sound you hear is the creaking of the tavern sign slowly swaying in the wind. A skinny stray dog scurries over the street and hides under a porch as in the distance a low rumbling sounds of thunderstorms to come.
Shall we just close the loot thing and move directly back to Turtleback Ferry?
Karlan: There is no presence of evil. Either Harry was right with his assumption or he is lying to you about killing Vale
Looting the fort and the ogres is tiresome and and not very inspiring work, yet in the end it proves profitable. As you finish your work a nice pile of valuables rests in front of the gate and the last rays of the sun glitter on the embossed faces of long dead kings shining forth from coins of silver and gold. 210 platinum pieces
7 masterwork chainmail
2 longswords +1
Jaarath wounded and confused by the sudden loss of his minions decides that it might be better to fight another day. He bellows two short commands pushes the two remaining ogres forward and turns to flee. With gritted teeth and steely determination the two ogres offer quite a fight but in the end are without a chance. For a moment it's bewildering that the fight for the fort shall be over but as you turn around and take a look at the carnage you have produced, you realize that the Black Arrows have truly been revenged and the fort has been retaken. If anyone was able to escape from your swords, you're sure that he will never return. In hours the rain will have washed the blood away and the crows will have started picking on the bodies and maybe in some days, bears and other carrion feeders will have taken the corpses away, leaving no trace of the brief Kreeg rule over Fort Rannick.
Gadak clicks his tongue and grins Oh yeah...but in some nights the roles of hunter and prey are suddenly swapped...still a good night for hunting then, but the result might surprise all parties. the smile freezes as he turns to Sable No event that would cause this...I guess it a natural phenomenon but it doesn't bode well... He walks over to the stables where the muscular riding lizards are kept and comments Didn't you say you are from Umberweb? Heard they have an impressive cavalry there?
Waiting for Marek
Two of the other ogres are blocking Marek from attacking and so he has to use his attack to slice a nice gash into the belly of one of the minors. Being one down and looking severely injured himself, Jarad does not look as self-confident as he did before. (space for 2 of you in the frontline to engage the wounded ogre) Rd2 Karlan
Jarad Kreeg is able to withstand the effects of Ailetha's spell but gets hit by the lightning bolt directly in the face. When Harry and Karlan both lean into him with full force, the mighty ogre lord staggers back (withdraw), wounded heavily and just trying to defend himself - Marek?
Lol, I thought you'd know the sequence. Rd2 Karlan
You must be loving this here then, Nik ;) With quick strokes that cut deep into the yellowish flesh of the brute, Marek opens the ogre's belly and before the creature really understands what is happening its entrails are already spilled all over the floor - like a felled oak the ogre falls to one side, opening up the corridor! Next round (I'll try to check Googledocs as soon as I got time)
Mhm, problem occured after upgrding to Mavericks...and is still unsolved...go on without map and just descriptions until they have fixed it?
Does anyone here have an Imac or MacBook? Whenever I try to open Maptools it says that the volume is damaged and can't be used, even after I download a new version?!
Maptools isn't loading...damn Imac, will post updated map tomorrow morning!
Only Marek left, then'll wrap up the happenings and let the ogres loose!
Yeah, if you take an AoO Karlan?!...we just assume there's enough space for you and the brazier.
The ogre in the front line decides to delay for the moment...
When Harry turns around the corner he skitters to a halt as he faces the ugliest and biggest ogre he has ever seen. About as large as a hill giant but twice as ugly and with the distinctive features of the of the Grauls - this then must be the one who must have fathered the whole line - the Kreeg Overlord! With amusement he looks down at Harry and the band behind him (at least 5 more ogres) lick their lips hungrily. Who are you? A surviving ranger? I thought we found all the rats in our new palace? the brute says in astonishingly clear common.
The doors aren't closed again and the footsteps don't draw nearer. you can hear the faint echo of a conversation which is mostly drowned out by the sound of the rain coming from the courtyard.
As you turn around to inspect the doors in the west, you suddenly hear the large double door opening from the south...
Ok, this is the updated map!
Another door pushed open and only more havoc to be seen - the room must have been an armoury before the ogres attacked, but of the various kinds of leather armours, bows, spears and other weapons, gear and armours not much more than splinters and rags have survived. Luckily none of the Kreegs or their helpers is here...
The first door you choose leads again to a tower and from there to the battlements. Heavy rain is still falling and in the distance thunder rumbles...
Well, ok, then let's just assume you followed the corridor further I marked all doors in red - clockwise opening?
Neither chests nor any magic treasures to be found in the room... Where to next then? Harry, all doors you had marked on your map are open now, but still lots to explore.
The ogres somehow managed to kill each other without even one survivor - quite an impressive task At least the hollow horse head is now free for taking.
AHHH, POWER! placebo or not, the ogre seems to thrive under the effects of your "spell". Sweeping around, ogre hook outstretched, he takes off the head of one of the very surprised other monsters and seconds later, the remaining three engage in a bloody fight and moments later all of them lie on the ground, bellies opened, eyes gouged, limbs broken...only the horse head is more or less intact.
Then we have a deal...we you can heal, than you can also give me power, do it now, little human. the ogre says while slowly turning to his kinsmen.
The ogre still seems unimpressed...but nonetheless greedy and so he steps two steps closer and whispers And will you help me?
You're lucky to get the attention of the strongest looking ogre and one of the others. A bit surprised but not overly interested in your arrival the other two try to continue the argument, but the big one ends it with a violent grunt.
Attack the others? That not good, they three!
The door or rather the opening to the storage chamber was probably too small for the ogres to enter. When Harry opens the door to the next room he pauses as he overhears the heated argument of a group of four ogres debating about who is the rightful owner of the HORSEY HEAD TROPHY MASK...actually a hollowed out horse head...obviously the argument has not just begun because two ogres already lie in their blood on the ground and the remaining four seem on the edge of killing eatch other over the wonderful piece of ogre-taxidermy.
Disappointment or relieve, you aren't quite sure as you push open the door at the back of the kitchen for there is only a small room with provisions behind it.
The small door at the other end of the kitchen or a different room?!
You return to the room you have searched before and open the door at its back end. This room, a kitchen, is in total shambles as if a cyclone had moved through the room, smashed every bit of furniture, bent every bit of silverware, and partially collapsed a stone fireplace.
Blood sprays forth and covers all of the ogre's works of art as Marek heaves the massive creature apart...another Kreeg dead and you begin to wonder how many members such an ogre family might have...
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