IC XIII

[thirdkingdom]

Looks good. Just one question. How are y'all proposing to lure them out?

[Alethan]

Somebody who is invisible needs to go in and pinch an object of value and let the ogres see it float away at high speed when he runs out.

[Wyzard]

Okay. Severi will go back in invisible and fake a party-foul. Jesus, let's get this thing moving.

[thirdkingdom]

The adventurers put their plan into action. A pool of oil is created at the entrance to the cave, a rope stretched across just before it. There is a nervous hour whilst the companions wait for the ogres within to, hopefully, drink themselves into a senseless stupor. From time to time coarse laughter and bellowing can be heard from within.

Finally, the adventurers decide it is time to act. Severi slips within, and on quiet elven toes sneaks into the chamber. The ogres remain as they were, drinking and feasting. The elf sneaks forward and puts a stealthy hand into the large sack. Severi draws forth a silver hand mirror. The polished surface sends shimmering reflections dancing about the cavern; it takes the inebriated ogres a second to realize what is occuring, but when they do the burly brutes roar and snatch up enormous wooden clubs. Severi flees, the ogres close behind. The elf leaps over the puddle of oil . . . and the lead ogre slides to a halt, tantalizingly close to his doom. Large, cup size nostrils flare as it sniffs the air around him.

[Wyzard]

Severi takes his place, and motions for someone to fire a crossbow into the cavern. He then realizes he is invisible, hopes the Ogre cannot understand common, and whispers to that effect.

[Grognardsw]

Aren't the proto-men and someone suppose to be out their visible to be seen and chased?

[thirdkingdom]

Aren't the proto-men and someone suppose to be out their visible to be seen and chased?

Yes, they are.

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

Thurgan pricks his finger with the sword to enable its magic and waits for the first ogre to emerge so he can strike at it.

[Grognardsw]

Aquar, blended after imbibing the potion, readies rope to pull and cindering rag to light oil when the ogres cross the threshold.

[thirdkingdom]

The ogre is showing remarkable reticence, and seems unwilling to charge into the breach, as it were. It looks to be paying little attention to the adventurers waiting beyond, instead trying to determine what manner of fluid coats the entrance to the cave.

If anyone is ever in doubt about what is going on, check the Rolls thread. In this instance, I allowed the ogres an Intelligence check to determine if they were going to charge blindly after the PCs. Surprisingly, they made it.

[Alethan]

Rhys the archer

Rhys slowly backs away from the cave entrance, positioning himself so he can see the mouth of the cave, but cannot be seen by the ogres. While he does this, he sheathes his sword and readies an arrow. Once he is 20' away from the entrance, he steps to the right to get an ogre in view, then he attempts to plug him with an arrow.

Bow, Long (Basic): +4 To Hit (+2 BAB, +2 DEX); 1d6 Damage; Range: 70/140/210

[thirdkingdom]

Round One

The arrow plunks deep into the lead ogre's breast, drawing forth a wrathful roar and goading the cautious creature into a charge. Aquar tosses a torch into the pool of oil, and it goes up in a billow of smoke and flame. The ogre crashes through, only to be met be steel as Severi's sword cuts deep into its flank. Anohir thunks the second one with his mace a good one. Thurgan leaps forward and delivers what he thinks should be a masterful strike, but the ogre's club parries his blade at the last instant. The ogres riposte catches Thurgan in the ribs, thankfully doing little damage. Aquar pulls on the rope he had stretched across the opening, only to find that Rhys, his supposed partner in this ploy, is no longer holding his end! The flaccid rope fails to foil the ogres' charge.

Next round, please. Thurgan takes 5 hp.

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

"I'll kill you stinking ogre" yells Thurgan as he continues his attack with sword and shield.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys drops his bow and draws his sword, attacking the nearest ogre.

Dannedd Blaidd, Magical +3 Sword (Skilled) vs. Armed: +7 To Hit (+2 BAB, +2 Skilled level, +3 sword); 1d12+3 Damage; -2 AC bonus vs 1; 1 Deflect

[Grognardsw]

Aquar, cleric

Aquar peeks down the corridor to see if more ogres are coming and will give warning if so.

Then from behind Aquar strikes the ogre with God's Wrath.

[Wyzard]

Severi continues to stab the ogre repeatedly in the flank.

If we aren't taking a LOT of hits, this might be a good time to run a couple rounds at once.

[thirdkingdom]

I will. I just wanted to give everyone a chance to adjust.

[thirdkingdom]

I know we're just getting over the weekend, so I'll give Mursely and Anohir 'til this afternoon to respond, then roll out combat tonight.

[shaidar]

Mursley, mu

At this point as there is only a single ogre and this seems to be engaged with the other Mursley is going to hold his action as there is not much he can do

[thirdkingdom]

Rounds Two and Three
The ogres continue to press the attack, the two outside swinging with mighty clubs whilst the others inside howl in pain as their knobbly flesh sears. Rhys drives in with his enchanted blade, but the largest ogre swipes it away with a contemptuous gesture of its club. Severi takes advantage of the ogre's distraction and slices the ogre's flank. It roars in pain and turns, the great club catching Thurgan in the chest. Aquar attempts to brain one with his warhammer, but the monster deftly avoids his blow; the ogre's riposte sends the cleric staggering.

The two outside the cave press forward, allowing a third to escape from the blazing inferno within. Two of the ogres turn on Thurgan, one battering him further. The third continues to pres Aqua, but for now the cleric fends off all blows.

Thurgan suffers a total of 12 hp, Aquar 7. The ogres make their morale check.