Session 25 - Here Comes the Grauls!

Oathday Neth 1 around 6AM

The party woke up in the morning and headed out for Fort Rannick. The followed some switchback trails and were on the edges of the forest when they heard some noises, like a wounded animal. Xantumal went to investigate.

They found a bear stuck in a bear trap. Khazen recognized it as Jakardos's animal companion. Jakardos was second in command of the Black Arrows. Xantumal cast a spell and talked with the bear. His master was taken by the weird ones and told him that dogs were coming. The group set up an ambush and killed off the dogs right before a half-ogre mutant stumbled into the clearing. The half ogre was carrying a spear and as the party decended upon him, the ogre started to break down and cry. Seems he was upset they killed his dogs. They party took all of his items, including his blanket with bloodstained Black Arrows patches. They found out that he has a Mammy and brother-fathers and sister-mothers. After they were done asking him questions, Orik put him out of his misery.

They moved toward the Graul farmstead. They got there about an hour later and was attacked by another half-ogre. This one had an ogre hook and one side of his head resembled a pumpkin, a huge puffy mass of tumors and overgrown bone giving his head a lopsided look. The group had no problem taking him out, but not before he raised the alarm by yelling. Nothing came out of the house or barn though.

They decided to head to the barn first. The bear felt that his master was inside. They opened the door and saw three more half-ogres, one with a vesitgal arm, one with overlarge milky eyes, and a third with rippling skin. Khazen cast a fireball and killed all three before they could even make a move.

Inside the barn there was a large double door barricaded from their side, and two walkways leading up to doors on the north and south side of the barn. Checking out the doors, it lead to another room filled with spider webs. On the corners of the walkways were cages, and there were three people in them, all rangers. Moving to investigate, the group was attacked by a huge spider. Throwing open the large door, Khazen, Xantumal and Phain cast some spells, while Orik used his bow. Vale took Xantumal's long spear. Vale was bit and succumbed to poison, but otherwise they made it out unscathed.

The group freed the prisoners, got them outside, then burned down the whole barn.