In reply to Dragondog (msg # 48):

The minotaur says "I love sleeping in the open, but I do have a tent among my equipment. At least large enough for four. We will likely need to buy an additional one and general supplies. I wonder if your weaponsmith makes greathammers? They're very popular back home." He shakes his shaggy head in fond memory.

Caitlin looked at the disappearing skeletal creature and sighed, of course she believed they should follow further, however, finding shelter was equally important, as much as gathering information. Her eyes fell on Athena and immediately the owl ruffled her feathers. "Be a dear my friend, follow the skeleton for a maximum of two hours, then return to me." the sorceress instructed her feathered friend. Athena hooted a couple of times, somehow communicating with Caitlin. A moment later the bird was up in the sky on silent wings...

"You must have a pub or similar place, right?" she asked, "Where can we find it, please?"

Tavion decided not to pursue the skeleton.

"You would have to check with our smith."

The owl quickly took to the air and pursued the animated dire rat and the ogre's disposition changed immediately. "We will gladly help you find one of our cells."


[OOC: Kora, where did you find the greathammer?]

[OOC: Caitlin, please make a Persuasion check.]

OOC It's from MM 4 or 5. The Minotaur entry has the minotaur greathammer listed as a standard use weapon. No worries, just adding the line for flavor.

[OOC: I don't have access to that volume, so it won't be available. But flavor is cool.]

"We have instructions to arrest all wizards," the first ogre said and both of them looked at Caitlin. "But you have a lot of horses. If you give us two horses, we didn't see anything."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:56, Fri 16 Feb.

ooc: Persuasion check 40. nat. 20

Caitlin frowned at the change in attitude towards her "Now now, where's a wizard here?" she asked, looking around at each of her companions. "What makes you think I'm a wizard? Do I wear robes?" she asked in return, knocking against her breastplate. "If you wish we can settle this in an old fashioned duel with sword or spear if you need more convincing I'm not a wizard." the mercenary insisted, telling the truth since she was a sorceress, not a wizard.

"Oh, you think because of Athena that I must be a wizard? She's just a very smart bird, like you are some very smart ogres." she deflected with a beaming smile, glad that the owl was out of earshot or she might have protested at Caitlin's last words.

"No duel needed," the first ogre said. And they invited the group and their small caravan inside.

Tavion passed through the gate, his gaze fixed ahead, deliberately avoiding eye contact with the guards.

"Thank you, I was certain you would figure out the truth." Caitlin remarked with a smile. "Have a splendid day." the battle sorceress added and passed through the gate. "I wonder what their inn looks like. They probably serve huge platters of food and kegs instead of normal sized mugs."

The group rode down the street into the hamlet at the bottom of this quarry. There were a lot of ogres, but not as many as they had expected. Most of the inhabitants were kobolds of all things! And as they were nocturnal creatures, there were probably even more of them waiting for sunset. The inhabitants all went about their business and there didn't seem to be any children around. This place was dry, dusty, and anything other than bustling.

In reply to Caitlin Merrywick (msg # 59):

The Minotaur cleric chuckles. "Define 'normal'" he says with a smile. He looked like he could handle a keg or two himself.

Caitlin just grinned at Kora's comment and looked around for anything that looked like stables or an inn.

"I think I'd prefer an ogre-sized portion over a kobold-sized one. I've worked up quite an appetite."

"Definitely not as I envisioned, for an ogre city, but interesting nonetheless," Talrand observed as he took in the bustling sights.  "More a gathering place, akin to tent cities on the plains, but with the rock surrounding to cut the wind, as it were, hoho!"

The centaur had not changed to a smaller form, enjoying the ogre-sized spacing requirements, but he appeared more mindful of the small folk skuttling about many feet below his head height... not something that appeared new or novel, but much in keeping proper footing.

There didn't seem to be anything that looked like an inn nearby, but there was a pen about 200 feet away. The creatures in it looked human-sized though. Still four-legged, but clearly not as large as horses.

Tavion nodded in agreement with Talrand's observation.  "I'm hesitant to label this a city by any standard," he remarked. "It seems I may find myself beneath the open sky tonight, just beyond the gates. It could provide an opportunity for the skeleton to locate us. What are our intentions concerning that matter?"

"We had someone follow that thing. Once we know where it went we can casually leave although I am curious about what facilities they have here." Kora says.

Caitlin thought about it all for a moment "How about we find out who runs this place and ask him a few question to shed some light on all of this. Why they gave the order to attack wizards on sight in particular." the mercenary suggested, curious and worried at the same time.

The centaur rubbed his chin in thought.  "It hath crossed mine mind that seeking information of magical scrolls or spells from a ruler seeking to gaol those of wizarding persuasion hath perhaps less than idyllic scenarios of resolution.  Might it be prudent to explore about the environs, seeking word of this ruler, and the wisdom of such approach.  Alternatively, of other sources here, or wisdom in early departure, and seeking word farther along our journeys."

Tavion listened intently to Caitlin's suggestion and Talrand's cautious considerations. He stroked his chin thoughtfully before adding his perspective to the discussion. "I wonder if the hostility towards wizards could be connected to the necromancy we encountered upon our arrival. Such dark magic might have left a deep-seated distrust of all arcane practitioners in its wake. If that's the case, our inquiries might need to be approached with even greater care."

Caitlin nodded at each of her companion's words of wisdom "Indeed, it could be the case - but that is only an assumption." the sorceress agreed, "However, clarification would be wise, would it not? If our motivation is questioned we could always claim we're looking for a bounty on wizard heads, so we need to be sure which we are supposed to hunt to get paid." she said with a wink, yet being serious about the cover story. "Any ideas who to interrogate?"

Tavion looked around and replied, "I don't exactly see a governor's mansion or a palace, but there can't be that many options for the leader to be hiding... if there is one. Should we ask the guards? You seemed to have a friendly rapport with them."

The young mercenary pursed her lips and looked over her shoulder at the two ogres standing guard "Nah, those two are already engaged to their maximum intellectual capacity looking out for threats to the town." she commented with a smirk, then looked about to find somebody who was not obviously working "Hey you! - Who is the boss around here and where do we find him?" she asked, wondering what creature would be able to control such a gathering of monstrous humanoids.

The ogre she addressed turned to Caitlin. "Kokoscha and Klimt are the bosses and they are in the temple." He pointed at a structure that looked like a forge and continued on his way.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:08, Mon 11 Mar.