Slowly, gradually, the sounds of a summer’s late morning return to the grassy clearing—grasshoppers’ whirring, song sparrows’ calls, the cry of a far-off loon, the irritated chirruping of a Douglas squirrel on a nearby pine.  These homey sounds are punctuated by the harsh breathing of the survivors of the battle in the clearing, and the death rattles of those who were not so fortunate.  Orc bodies, ogre bodies, and the bodies of the fallen blink dogs litter the open grassy space that surrounds the ancient, mossy stone standing in the middle of the clearing.

Leaning against the large obelisk, exhausted and fatigued, Totmacher places his right hand on the hilt of his mammoth Great Axe, blade down in the dirt.  Blood runs from Totmacher's arm down the shaft.  Blood rhythmically emenates from the blade like a punctured artery, soaking the grass and dirt.

Totmacher absorbs the ripeness of the devastation.  He surveys the lifeless amalgam of orc and canine flesh and bone littering the ground and the large Ogres twisted and mangled smothering the lesser corpses.

Totmacher is hit with fleeting thoughts back to the combat with the Gnolls.  He closes his eyes and reflects on the costly mistakes made in that battle.

Totmacher then reaches into the small sack with his left hand and pulls forth the now readily decaying head of his brother from the sack.

Looking down at the half-elf head Totmacher inquires, "what next my brother?  Yes, Totmacher agrees, the caves.  Finish the filth."

He lifts his head and looks for the lone dog ally and nods in acknowledgement of the courage and determination of this new friend.

Shoving the head back into the satchel, Totmacher pushes off the obelisk.

"Good fight Dwarf and you, Monk," pointing in his direction.  "This battle is not yet complete.  Totmacher will continue the extermination."

OOC:  Map link to the lake and surrounding area is HERE

and the map link to the obelisk is HERE

Both maps are also up on the website, accessed from the Game Info link above.

At the sight of the half beast conferring with the head of his slain brother, Asher's left eyebrow jumps reflexively towards his hairline and his head cocks slightly, "were taking instructions from dead now?" he silently questions.

Agreeing with the plan, despite the methodology, Asher nods to the half-beast, "I agree. Let's descend."

From his brow Perrato wipes sweat and traces of blood, presumably a mingling of his own and that of the monstrous opponents felled by the valorous, if desperate, efforts of the party and the inspiring and selfless contributions of their well-found canine allies. Though reluctant to engage in violence, Perrato is more aware than ever of the thrill afforded to the baser regions of human nature by brutal conflict and viciously won victory. "Amigos, shall we assess our health and options first?" asks the priest as the stirring humours within his agitated flesh envelope simultaneously exhilarate and disturb him. "This was one conflict from which we emerged by...¿Cómo se dice?...the covering of our teeth?" As he reels and surveys the situation, Viatomagne rues the loss of the Travelers' Best Friends, their broken bodies strewn about the field of battle.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:26, Thu 12 Jan 2006.

Seemingly oblivious to the conversation taking place - Gilrak slings his Urgrosh over his shoulder, and moves closer to the Obelisk for a closer examination..


07:43, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 16 using 1d20+9. Obelisk Examination.

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OOC:  Gilrak will go either way WRT the Cave Assault or Hanging out & Healing

A rustle of leaves, and a small shadow moves into the clearing surrounding the obelisk.  Caylin looks around at the carnage, fishes into his belt pouch for his pipe and tobacco, and remarks mildly, "Ye've had a go o' it, looks t' be.  Good on ye.  Th' ogres at th' cave mouth be dead or drownded."  The archer finishes his brief report, and bends to examine the arrows from the quiver of one of the fallen orcs.

Noting the rest of the party gathering on the cliff-top, Gilrak looks over his shoulder and calls out casually -

"Oi - Over 'ere..."

Gil nods in the way of the obelisk...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:24, Fri 13 Jan 2006.

OOC:  Totmacher is still leaning against the obelisk.  Is Gilrak gesturing to the side that Totmacher is on?