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Chapter 6: Against The Horned One's Reign of Terror.

Posted by DM StormFor group archive 0
DM Storm
GM, 1417 posts
Tue 2 Sep 2014
at 01:35
  • msg #1

Chapter 6: Against The Horned One's Reign of Terror



The party eventually agrees to lend their services to Lord Mayor Kazmerak's plea for assistance, in exchange for 500 gold pieces and a sizable plot of good land located on Windham's southern outskirts. After concluding their business in the small town, the group sets out, now a few days after their resounding defeat of the Dread Ogre slavers.

The town's Sergeant-at-Arms, Belden, leads the party to the ford that is frequently used by the Dread Ogres to raid across the river. There, the party crosses the river and heads into the Forlorn Hills, with Inas leading the way. It does not take long for the ranger to pick up signs of a trail, which shows signs of heavy use, leading away to west. After studying the tracks left behind, Inas concludes this is the trail used by the Dread Ogres, and the ranger leads the party further into the hilly country.

Save for the occasional antelope or bird, the party moves along with little incident, and Inas finds the trail quite easy to follow. After several hours' journey, the tracks lead over a rocky rise and the groups spots a broad grassy valley, where a ruined stone keep rises from a low hill in the center of the valley. A score or so sheep clamber about the hill's edges, idly munching on the grass and sedge, oblivious to their surroundings, while a flock of large gray birds glide in circles around the keep's perimeter.

The keep is about 100 feet wide and perhaps just as deep. Its exterior appears mostly intact, though its upper workings have large sections which have fallen inward, leaving some question as to the structural integrity of its interior. A broad gatehouse is located on the keep's south face, the only obvious surface entrance into the keep.

The ogre tracks most certainly lead to the keep, though no ogres are presently seen.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:07, Tue 02 Sept 2014.
Norion Ironaxe
Dwarf Fighter, 466 posts
Tue 2 Sep 2014
at 23:40
  • msg #2

Re: Chapter 6: Against The Horned One's Reign of Terror

Norion wipes the sweat off his face, realizing, with some joy, that his burnt off beard was returning in glorious fashion in record time.

He takes a deep drink of his water.

"We need ta' know what the inside looks like, are they camped in the open, or down in a hole beneath tha' ruins.  If they are in a hole, we'll need ta' draw them out here, and far enough away it'll take 'em 20 or 30 minutes ta' get back home, ah have sum thoughts on thot but first we best know what's beyond those walls.  Hopefully, we can catch several of 'em lugging around those nice slaver chains they like so much, let 'em share a good dose of lightning..."
Inas Eoinsson
Human Ranger, 391 posts
Human Ranger
AC:3 HP: 60 / 52
Wed 3 Sep 2014
at 05:47
  • msg #3

Re: Chapter 6: Against The Horned One's Reign of Terror

Inas tracked the ogres with relative ease. The big lumbering brutes made little effort to conceal their tracks, and following them through the soft earth was an easy enough task. What he couldn't quite gauge was numbers, as the paths were well used.

He nodded at Norion's suggestion that gaining further intelligence would be useful. He looked over at Ben, knowing that the rogue was adept at sneaking about in places that he shouldn't. "What say you, Ben? Fancy joining me in a bit of sneaking about?"
Ben Scristos
Human Thief, 1058 posts
Wed 3 Sep 2014
at 08:16
  • msg #4

Re: Chapter 6: Against The Horned One's Reign of Terror

With a smile Ben nods. He examines the fort, looking for the side it seem most likely the Ogre's can't see out of. If they make it to the wall, he will try to climb it, and spy over the top.
DM Storm
GM, 1422 posts
Wed 3 Sep 2014
at 09:38
  • msg #5

Re: Chapter 6: Against The Horned One's Reign of Terror

Remnants of square towers exist in each of the keep's four corners and each of these towers possesses some semblance of either a window, or a gaping hole where a window might have once been located. From a distance, neither Ben nor Inas spots any ogres lurking behind a tower window, or outside the keep grounds for that matter.

The south approach is where the gatehouse is located, the keep's three other sides offering only a tall, thick flagstone wall ranging anywhere from 20 to 40 feet high. Perhaps the easiest wall to climb would be the east wall, where a fir tree has taken up root immediately adjacent to the ruined keep, offering a convenient ladder up most of way to the top. Not that Ben needs any help climbing sheer surfaces, but the tree is there if needed. The tree likely wasn't always there, but its presence near the keep potentially hints at how long the keep has been abandoned.

Well, not abandoned, for apparently Dread Ogres dwell within, if the tracks are any indication.

Speaking of which, amidst the numerous giant-sized tracks, Inas also notices several sets of smaller tracks in the area: small-sized humanoids wearing leather boots. Goblins perhaps?

Perhaps Dread Ogres are not the only denizens within the keep?

Whatever the case, Ben slinks his way to the pine tree on the keep's east side and climbs the wall nearest the tree, using the branches to conceal his movement when possible. The thief easily scales the stone wall and makes it to the top, some 40 feet above the ground, and looks over the edge.

The center of the keep consists of organized piles of rubble forming makeshift stone walls abutting up against the remnants of a stone building occupying the courtyard's western half. The rubble walls have thatch roofs, concealing what might be found underneath.Three of the keeps four towers appear to be structurally intact, though the southwest tower is most certainly not.

Ben then spots a squat humanoid emerge from one of the buildings below. The slope-headed, gray-skinned creature wears nothing but a fur loincloth and lumbers with a hunched gait toward the southeast tower.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:46, Wed 03 Sept 2014.
Ben Scristos
Human Thief, 1059 posts
Wed 3 Sep 2014
at 10:16
  • msg #6

Re: Chapter 6: Against The Horned One's Reign of Terror

Using whatever points of reference are available, Ben attempts to gauge the size of the creature... Ogre size? Or less...

He also waits to see if the creature actually enters the south east tower or not.

Once he has this information he will climb down and share the discovered information with Inas.

"I think I would like to scale up the wall by that south-east tower and listen for anyone within it. If not, I could lower a rope to you if you wanted to scope it out."
Inas Eoinsson
Human Ranger, 392 posts
Human Ranger
AC:3 HP: 60 / 52
Wed 3 Sep 2014
at 10:56
  • msg #7

Re: Chapter 6: Against The Horned One's Reign of Terror

In reply to Ben Scristos (msg # 6):

Inas listened to Ben's description of the humanoid, trying to ascertain what it might be. He had seen many strange creatures in his time, and heard tales of many more.

In a whispering voice he said, "You climb, I will cover you from here." He offered the rogue his newly acquired rope, 50 feet of stout hemp, should Ben need it. As they moved into position he continued to scan around, bow in hand, watching for new threats.

He glanced over to where the others were hidden and made a simple gesture to show that Ben was going to climb the tower. Whether his unseen companions saw or understood the gesture was another matter.

11:54, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19. Siege check to identify humanoid.
Saliq Musfara
Human Illusionist, 624 posts
Illusionist
Wed 3 Sep 2014
at 11:14
  • msg #8

Re: Chapter 6: Against The Horned One's Reign of Terror

Saliq stood back with the main group, thinking up ways to use his magic. "I agree my friend, it seems a good plan. I can think of a few distractions to keep them occupied."

He paused thoughtfully. "On the other hand if they do have slaves held captive perhaps we best find a way to communicate with them first. Send in an invisible spy?"
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