IC III

[thirdkingdom]

The ogres in the clearing are searched. A total of 160 gold coins is found between the three of them. They had apparently been attempting to uncover a cask of some sort, half-buried precariously in the rubble. Luckily, it had kept them distracted for long enough so that they could be approached with ease.

Grey Jake rushes forward and slits the other ogres' throats with alacrity. It is discovered that they carry a combined total of 120 gold coins. The barricade they manned while living is much the same as the southern one, except with only a single elf's head impaled on a stake. "'Tis Allandros," Quinthos exclaims sadly, "our village priest and sage. I shall return, Old One," he says to the skull, "once your killers are dead, and sing your soul to the Great Forest. I shall sing all their souls, once these beasts are slaughtered."

What's next, guys? I have assumed the bodies have been searched, but not the surroundings or anything else. It is approximately 12:00, and the sky is beginning to darken. A warm, wet breeze can be felt from the east. Oh, and don't forget to subscribe.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny follows cautiously behind Jake and looks upon the dead ogres when he arrives at the scene.

"Thank you Jake... In my fury I might have awoken the entire forest had I been the one to dispatch them... Tratiln, well done. Semele, please go to the south and let the others know we are here and that the northern guard post has been dispatched."

Lanny looks around for a moment and then confers with his companions.

"We should make sure the surrounding forest is completely clear of ogres before we head north to the lair. I'd suggest we walk the entire perimeter of the village once to be sure."

If the party is agreeable to this idea, Lanny will suggest using the scouts and the Birdsong/Birdcall spell to sneak around the entire village perimeter looking for any more wandering patrols.

[Bouv]

Tratiln nods in agreement. Let's seach what we can of this area to make sure all the ogres are gone and to see if there are any survivors. I believe any treasure and any items that may have sentimental value that is discovered should be put into a central location and given back to the survivors. These elves have suffered enough already without us taking even more from them. In fact, I'm inclined to say that most of the treasure we find from the ogres is probably from the village and should belong to it.

On top of that, we should hid the ogre bodies as well and set up a small watch, at the very least, from the northern guardpost to make sure we do not get ambushed.

Woot, sleep worked perfectly!

[sulldawga]

Marodin the Cleric will take a look at the cask the ogres were trying to unearth. "I wonder if this was valuable or if these idiot ogres just assumed it was. Never can tell with intellects like these..."

If the group moves out, Marodin will follow but as long as they're lingering, he'll attempt to finish the job of digging that the ogres started.

[Makofan]

Tratiln nods in agreement. Let's seach what we can of this area to make sure all the ogres are gone and to see if there are any survivors. I believe any treasure and any items that may have sentimental value that is discovered should be put into a central location and given back to the survivors. These elves have suffered enough already without us taking even more from them. In fact, I'm inclined to say that most of the treasure we find from the ogres is probably from the village and should belong to it.

On top of that, we should hid the ogre bodies as well and set up a small watch, at the very least, from the northern guardpost to make sure we do not get ambushed.

Grey Jake is mad at himself, as he finds himself agreeing with Traitlin. Who would have thought a week ago that he would be freelygiving away riches? "I agree with my companion, we have health and riches enough, I will donate any share I might claim to the remaining vintages"

[zebediah]

Marodin the Cleric will take a look at the cask the ogres were trying to unearth. "I wonder if this was valuable or if these idiot ogres just assumed it was. Never can tell with intellects like these..."

If the group moves out, Marodin will follow but as long as they're lingering, he'll attempt to finish the job of digging that the ogres started.

Drudsa the dabbler

"That is certainly worth checking. I wonder if these ogres could be searching for something other than common plunder. All this destruction... Maybe they are just following the commands of some evil entity but, I don't know, I just have the feeling that there is more behind this."

[thirdkingdom]

A cursory watch reveals no survivors. It appears as if the destruction occurred some time ago -- perhaps as long as seven to ten days -- and anything of value easily accessible already taken. Marodin examines the cask, determining it to hold, according to the markings, a wine called "Streel Burgandy -- 992". After several minutes of study the cleric realizes it can be removed quite easily by wiggling it down through the rubble; the ogres had been attempting to pull it out against the debris.

From what Drudsa has heard of ogres he is aware that this kind of wanton and cruel destruction is not typical of that race. They are creatures of Chaos, but as a whole tend to be more agreeable than orcs or goblins.

[Bouv]

Tratiln will turn to Quinthos, "What would you like us to do? I believe most of the party would like to go on and finish the job we've started with the ogres but I think we would understand if you would want us to bury the dead and continue to search for any survivors.

Tratiln will look at the wine as well and comment, Odd that the ogres were so determined to get a bottle out of the debris. Perhaps they thought it was a potion

[thirdkingdom]

Quinthos, elf

Quinthos looks about sadly. "Would that I could lay them to rest now, but they have passed on and will not mind another day above the ground. No, my concern is for the others; the dead are less than a quarter the population of the village. I both fear and hope they yet live …". He sniffs the air. "There is a storm approaching. It will be here within the hour, I believe."

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

"Then we must define our strategy. We can move to the cave and try to take them by surprise or we can try to take them out as they venture outside, wether to patrol or to check on their missing kin. Given the likelihood of them holding prisoners I think we should just move to the cave and see what we can do there, unless you fellas have a better plan. I can try to charm one of the ogres."

[Bouv]

Tratiln agrees. I honk our best chances lie at the cave. However we do need to use caution in our approach lest a patrol Of ogres surprises us.

[Finglas]

Quinthos, elf

Quinthos looks about sadly. "Would that I could lay them to rest now, but they have passed on and will not mind another day above the ground. No, my concern is for the others; the dead are less than a quarter the population of the village. I both fear and hope they yet live …". He sniffs the air. "There is a storm approaching. It will be here within the hour, I believe."

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad helps conceal the ogre corpses beneath debris.

The elf responds to the group's suggestion and Quinthos' prediction of storm, "The bad weather may be a boon to us. It could keep the ogres huddled within shelter. Now may be the time to catch them all in their lair. Quinthos, can you lead us there?"

[thirdkingdom]

Quinthos, elf

"Aye, I can lead you to the caves. It is about a mile to the north, on the eastern side of the trail. We can either take the path itself, or move through the forest. We shall move more quickly upon the path, but it is also more likely to be guarded that the forest itself."

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

"Thank you, Quinthos."

Bregalad confers with the party. "My friends, a more thorough search of this area may bear fruit, but I feel as Meagnor does -- that we should strike the ogres now, in their lair. There might be elven survivors held prisoner. If so, this may be our best chance to rescue them. Also, the rest of the ogres do not know their village guards are dead, but they may soon find out. It is possible that some elves may have escaped. Hopefully they are hidden and safe, and we can find them later."

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf

"Saddened though I am by the death of those with longer life spans than I, the line is drawn at giving away treasure. Those who are victorious should bear the fruit of their labours. If it was the elves' valuables, and they still live, then so be it; but ogres have their own treasure stolen from others years ago. Should that go back to their victims? I think not."

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny leaves the northern guard post after concealing the bodies of the dead ogres under brush, and rejoins the party in the clearing. He urges quick action.

"Friends... Quinthos has told us that there were usually three groups stationed around their village - a southern guard, a northern guard, and a wandering patrol. We have encountered only two groups. I know emotions are high right now, but if we head straight for the lair, and then later on the third group returns to the lair behind us, we will be trapped with no way to escape. It will not take long to search the entire perimeter of the village to be sure it is clear of ogres... We cannot afford a battle on two fronts."

When Drudsa mentions about charming an ogre, Lanny adds to his own comments.

"If there is a wandering patrol right now in these woods, then one of the ogres in it might be the ideal one to try to charm. We might find out a lot of information about the lair... and perhaps also the evil power that is working behind the scenes. But let me be crystal clear about one thing: whether the ogres planned this themselves or not, my intention is that they will all perish for their part in it..."

Lanny favors the 1-hour search of the surrounding woods to be sure they have completely eradicated all the ogres.

[Finglas]

Lanny the elf

Lanny favors the 1-hour search of the surrounding woods to be sure they have completely eradicated all the ogres.

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad supports Lanny's suggestion. "An hour's search feels reasonable, Lantharios. After that, let us make for the lair, so that we do not lose the advantage of surprise."

[Bouv]

Tratiln doesn't mind the search, "However, let's remember that it was the southern post that was deserted. That is what worries me. Did those guards just go off and start searching? From what we've seen of their behavior, probably not. As Quinthos as pointed out, they don't seem to be acting in the way normal ogres do. That may lead to issues with trying to charm one.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf is in favor of hunting through the woods and making sure they are clear before tackling the lair.

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

"Don't forget what Quinthos just said, there is a storm almost upon us and we will need to take shelter soon. If we position ourselves in the woods next to the cave we will be able to catch the ogres when they return to escape the storm. On the other hand, if they take shelter elsewhere we will not need to worry about them returning until the storm is done, so that should give us time to explore the cave."