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Pfistero continues attacking the same ogre.
His magic circle against evil projects in a 10-foot radius and his aura of menace continues to affect the three ogres in the back.
After several seconds are up, the hound archon Pfistero appears in the space next to the ogre being pummeled by Arya. Lord Zohan bids it help fell the human-eating ogres and it attacks. First, the ogre is bathed in the creature's aura of menace [ooc](DC 16 Will save or suffer -2 on attacks, saves and skill checks). Then the celestial being swings it's greatsword twice before trying to bite the ogre.
For his part, Lord Zohan fires an acid dart at the same ogre, taking the penalty to avoid hitting Ayra or Pfistero. ranged touch and off into the sky his energy dart flies, sizzling when it arcs back to the water below.
"My instinct tells me we could use reinforcements." Lord Zohan steps back to avoid any ogres with extra long reach and begins summoning.
After casting his illusion, Lord Zohan says, "Hmmmpf! As of now, all but enchanted arrows are useless on the shaman. If your bow isn't enchanted, save your arrows for the ogre henchmen!"
Lord Zohan watches closely to see what the shaman is casting before preparing his retort.
Hoping to split the ogre forces temporarily and prevent them all from attacking at once, Lord Zohan casts major image to "summon" a trio of dire bears close to the central building, and has them roar out challenges to the ogres beyond the shaman but otherwise keep their distance and try to draw the ogres to them.
Unprepared for such long-range combat, Lord Zohan unceremoniously sucks a sliver of the roast chicken he enjoyed for lunch from between his teeth.
When he sees the ogre leader exit the central edifice in their direction, Lord Zohan elbows the young dwarf, conjuring up a silent image of an engraved invitation.
Your aiming for a Thousand Years of Pain thing aren't you. Ha! Something like that... only deadlier. Much deadlier.
"Agreed"
Lord Zohan quizzes Jakardos and the other scouts. "How far away is the nearest group of ogres? How many groups of ogres stand between us and the shaman? Is there any difficult terrain in the way? How wide is the top of the dam? Can we all get onto it at once? Could we all use whatever route you took to scout for our own purposes of getting closer unseen? At least we'll have this rain to cover us. Should we find a place to tie up the horses and the ass down here? I'm going to cast a simple spell now that allows messages to pass over the distance to and from me in case we have to separate. When you want to send such a message, simply whisper it." Lord Zohan mumbles and gestures, taking out a piece of copper wire and pointing it at Withers, Zadderk, Alya, Karla, Delian, Jakardos, and DireMerc. (Just kidding, the last participant is one of the other Black Arrows.)
Lord Zohan feels his blood flowing more quickly at the prospect of an upcoming battle, lending some color to his otherwise somewhat ashen skin. He carefully dismounts. "Alright, gather around warriors. I'll need you close by for one of these." he says, fishing various material components out of the pouches of his bandolier. "I'll start with Karla, as this enchantment will last the longest. My apologies for not mentioning that I had prepared it earlier. Would you like light to go with it?" He sprinkles powdered lime and burnt wood dust along the length of her enormous blade, while muttering and gesturing. The lime takes on an almost incandescent quality as it is absorbed into the metal. If Karla asks for light, he crushes a live firefly along the blade with his thumb and smears the entrails as well. "That will hold you seven hours, my dear." "Next comes Alya." He sprinkles a thin circle of powdered silver around the pit fighter and withdraws a rod encrusted with slivers of gems. He continues muttering but this time his gestures are more grand and everyone nearby feels a moment of warmth emanating from her. "That will hold you for 140 minutes and any of you will enjoy the benefits as well, as long as you stay within the reach of two arms." He then continues with Alya, asking her to stick out her tongue. He sprinkles a light coating of powdered iron on her tongue as he mutters and gestures without the rod. The casting takes longer than the others spells, and they look on as Alya gets bulkier and taller until he is finished. "There you are. These last two will last for less than a minute. Is it a good idea to cast them already?"
"I do have the magics to enlarge one of you, and to grant those close together additional protection against ogres and other evil monsters", replies Lord Zohan from atop his mare. "I can also also boost us with a more speed and more attacks and, of course, I prepared to grant Zadderk's crossbow a temporary enchantme--" Lord Zohan's sentence trails off unfinished as he notices Alya's ears. "You trained in Magnimar, you say? Where do your people come from?" he asks with a slight edge that he isn't very adept at hiding.
"Hmm. As far as I can see, we have a large window of opportunity. We can wipe out these ogres and tip off the reinforcements in Fort Rannick that we are here. Or we can sneak into Fort Rannick and wipe them out at their new base before coming here to pick off the stragglers. I'm by no means a battle strategist, but the latter choice seems wiser to me."
Withers appears to be rather put out by Valerius's words and scoffs. "Hmm! I would have thought the fact that my master has lived longer than most of our kind ever see, or want to see, would have been enough to earn him the respect. Or do those wrappings over your eyes mean you're actually blind? I see you found us easily enough." "Withers." Lord Zohan silences his trusted manservant with a word. "Please recall our lessons. Emotions must not be given free rein in social interactions. The humans live to provoke each other and the rest of us. And her people have been fierce raiders for generations nearly beyond count. Well, the elves can count them, of course, but... no matter. Are you a skald, daughter of Valeri?"
The newcomers see a venerable, salt-and-pepper-maned noble elf less than elegantly astride his steed. He wears a floor-length taupe-colored robe with gold trim and multiple ties that cinch at the waist and the mid-riff, along with the other, visible accoutrement of his trade, a bandolier holding his many spell components. A walking staff is slid neatly into straps attached to the saddle. Accompanying him are middle-aged elf in fine livery on his own horse and a rather bored-looking mule bearing most of their travel goods.
"Thank you. 'LORD Zohan' will do... or simply, 'milord'."
At Zadderk's pronouncement, Lord Zohan looks at the skies for signs of malevolent influence. He imagines wicked forces at play powerful enough to control the weather. "How would you spot if the weather was unnatural, Za-?" The arrival of the newcomers, takes him by surprise somewhat. "What's this? Two locals come to aid us in our chore? Greetings to you. I am Lord Zohan. On behalf of my grou-, allies here, welcome, Master Alcare, Mistress...? You'll be wanting to fetch your horses rather quickly, as we're about to set off. That is, unless you have any information that should give us pause." he finishes with one eyebrow cocked.
DireMerc, even though I grin each time I read it, I thought I should point out that the large marvel of Thassilonian engineering blocking the water is a 'dam', rather than a 'damn'. ;-) Oh, and a warm welcome to Alya!
"Yes." says Lord Zohan, with a look on his face that says he could not agree less, "This is fortuitous, indeed."
"I stand corrected" thinks Withers, who has not even started back up the stairs just yet.
Lord Zohan's valet, Withers, comes down to fetch his master some breakfast. The elf is at least a hundred years younger than his master, his face sporting fewer lines, his back still straight as a board. The elf collects two plates of produce and baked goods, shying away from meat and dairy products. If anyone asks, he mentions that "Master Zohanski, ahem, Lord Zohan is preparing his spells at the moment and will be down before you finish breaking your fast."
Lord Zohan reviews the maps Jakardos draws with interest. "This dam you mention, sir - Skull's Crossing - is it recent or ancient? I seem to recall mention of a rather old construction this close to the Storval Plains.
"I have something similar that would affect me and everyone within 10 feet in all directions around me. If we move all of us close together on horseback, it should just cover everyone and the creatures, but it, too, will only last a quarter of an hour . And it won't dampen the sound of hooves. But we've hardly given the good mayor a chance to get a word in edgewise. What say you, my lord? Could you have the good citizens of Turtleback Ferry on alert for emergency evacuation in the coming days? Have you any means of assisting us in the town's survival?"
"Well, that presents its own dilemma. The dam breaking is the most urgent threat to the town of Turtleback Ferry. However, the ogres at Fort Rannick are likely to spot us trying to get past it to the dam. If we're spotted, we'll likely face enemies ahead and behind at the same time. Evey day the ogres are the fort are probably killing and devouring more of the original defenders. If only there were a way to be certain the dam breaking wasn't imminent! There are magicks that allow such a thing, a lesser spell called clairvoyance, but we would have to be relatively close to it, say 500 yards. Scrying is an option for some but a) I don't know the magic - Karla, Andras? Do you? - and b) as I understand the powers, it only works on creatures, so again we'd have to know who's at the dam. Perhaps if Zadderk could view the dam through Dasher's eyes? In either case, I assume we will have to leave in the morning ready for both possibilities: getting into the fort and driving the attackers off the dam. Jakardos, I can understand if you are reluctant to share such information but this is a critical situation. Is there a way into the fort other than through the main gate or a full-on assault?"
"Seems like a reasonable idea to me. If we speak to the mayor this evening we can be off right after breakfast."
"I agree wholeheartedly. He's responsible for the welfare of these good people, after all. On another topic, do your rangers have a gathering place in case you're separated or a place they would leave a message for you if you were separated?"
"I see. Well, as impressive as my allies' abilities here are, I don't think we're up to a frontal assault on the fort to get it back. We could conceivably besiege it and kill every ogre that leaves the protection of the fort, which they must do if they're trying to bring down this dam you mention. What is the distance between the fort and the dam? Or is one on top of the other?
As they ride back toward Turtleback Ferry, Lord Zohan listens to the conversation and interjects where he feels it's appropriate. "How exactly DID they take the fort? Are there semi-secret back doors? Did they storm the gate? Did they use explosive magical firepower? Or could a traitor within have given them ingress?" "As to the barge, it might or might not be related. I find that unusual circumstances happening close together in time tend to be related to each other if one can see them with enough perspective. Even if it's as 'simple' as the town earning a god's disfavor."
Lord Zohan waits for a good portion of the inflagration to do its work before agreeing to leave the site and head back to Turtleback Ferry. "Jakardos, I have a few questions for you. The first is how long were you held by these ogrekin and how did they capture you? For my second point, I can understand why the ogres would see the Black Arrows as a threat and want to destroy them, but why would they want to destroy Turtleback Ferry? Normally, I would think they'd see the town as an easy source of prey. Are they trying to claim the entire area here? Is a stronger and more cunning creature guiding their actions? I ask, because I experienced that very thing earlier with goblins being coordinated and consolidated by a human with a mission of revenge. One last question: do you or your men know anything of a gambling and pleasure boat that docked at Turtleback Ferry for a brief time until a fire sent it to the lake floor?"
"I can see that this is a serious threat. And yet I have naught left to contribute if we face more challenges. Perhaps after checking whether the barn is infested with ogrekin, we could return to Turtleback Ferry for rest? I think it best to warn them anyway, so that they can make preparations in the event we are unable to stop the ogre's machinations in time. What do you all think?" When he is done counting the coin, he returns to Withers and asks his manservant to scrounge him up a cup of tea, as there is plenty of fire being started.
Lord Zohan exits the structure along with the others. The thought of leaning over dozens of times to gather dead grass seems too much after the grueling campaign through the wicked house. He instead first goes to each of his comrades to check if they would be interested in using the magical amulet, explaining that it will boost their vigor and fortitude as long as it is worn. If none of them are interested (most likely because they're wearing even better amulets), he'll 'offer' to wear it until they return to the city and can trade it in for other useful things. He then values the coins recovered from the sack in the upstairs chest, paying particular interest to whether they are local or foreign.
Lord Zohan nods and collects the staff, the wand and the two Varisian idols. He holds out the amulet and the potion for any takers. After thinking a moment, he asks, "Is there any argument why we should not simply burn this entire house to the ground? There are likely more deadly traps hidden within, in addition to those ghastly monstrous spiders in the basement. Furthermore, the whole edifice is witness to the horrors of these half-ogre creatures and more will likely move in and terrorize Turtleback Ferry if it's left standing.
Standing over the necromancer's treasure trove, Lord Zohan's cheeks seem a little rosy. "Ahem. Well... isn't this awkward?" His hands trace the items. "Surely one of you could profit from this fine amulet. And perhaps one of you can use the wand? Anyone could benefit from the potion of course. The two idols are practically designed to enhance my strengths in this party. And the staff... well, it's a little macabre to be sure, but very useful. I'm not sure I have the stomach to use that scroll, however, or even to sell it. Though it would be fitting to have our fallen foes fight our standing ones, would it not?"
Guys, it's our last weekend of our Normandy vacation and I won't have a chance ti get online again. Please DMPC me until tomorrow night. If possible, Lord Zohan will mage hand that staff to him, dismiss the grease, and identify it.
Lord Zohan has little of an offensive nature to offer here except a few flasks of hazardous substances. Instead, he readies an action with one of his few remaining spells. If the obese ogrekind wields a weapon or wand in her Rubenesque rotundness, he'll cast grease on it and try to make her drop it.
"I'll just get this party started, shall I? Lord Zohan walks toward the room in a somewhat awkward gait, trying to mimic the fallen ogrekin.
"Sorry, Zadderk. I've exhausted my bag of tricks for today. Even my ability to enlarge you would have little benefit once your bolts left the bow."
Lord Zohan casts mirror image on himself.
Lord Zohan looks crestfallen at Karla's request. Then an idea occurs to him. "I could make you bigger... or duplicated." If she approves, he casts enlarge person on her. If not, he casts mirror image on her.
"The role of one of those ogrekin we felled. They were evidently the children of whatever we're about to face in the room at the end of this hall. Hear that screech emitting from the room like fingernails on slate?" Lord Zohan sucks on the wound and spits out any remaining toxin.
By the grace of every god in the pantheon, Lord Zohan manages to resist the spider venom coursing through his venerable veins. He mutters a string of curses quite unbecoming of a man of his station before peering into the painfully won bag of coins to appraise their value by weight and color. "Anyone care to play the role?" Lord Zohan whispers to his comrades, after hearing the female's voice.
Awww! That's nice news. Mazel tov!
That's fine. He picks them up and offers them around or places them in his bandolier if no one wants them just yet. The rage, he postulates, would offer Karla a temporary boost.
Oooh, you're evil! But I suspect I know where this is headed. ;-)
Once Karla's communion is complete, Lord Zohan examines the sack of coins for trip mechanisms or possibly a panel beneath that triggers when the weight of the sack is lifted.
If he finds anything suspicious, he asks the three rangers if any of them has experience removing traps.
Old enough to be Karla's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, Lord Zohan at first assumes she is speaking to the others. He casts detect magic and identifies the crap out of the potions, mumbling their names aloud to himself as he goes from one to the next.
A sixth sense tells him to turn around and realize that he was included among the 'brothers' Karla mentioned. He clears his throat in embarrassment. "Oh, yes. Of course. By all means. We'll protect you. Perhaps one of these potions can help?"
If the chest has a keyhole, Lord Zohan quickly searches the slain ogrekin for a key. If not, he searches for traps on the chest and then uses his quarterstaff to lift the lid while standing as far away as possible, making sure no one is directly in front of the chest.
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