Session 36: The Mage of the Ogres Report

General Summary

Session 36 – Wednesday April 5, 2023 – The Ogre Mage

4 Hour Role Play/battle session 5:30 PM to 10:00PM

The Stone Bearers. Party of 6

It is the 27th day of the month of Uktar (The Rotting) in the 50th year of the Age of Enialis (Mid November.)

• Abrash – Wood (Desert) Elf, L7 Druid – Jacob Munson
• Ajani– High Elf, L7 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L7 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Thomas – Human, L7 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L7 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Juan Peyote – Gnome L7 Paladin – Will Johnson

Healing a bit before the boss battle

Juan picked up Thomas’s jawbone from the floor and handed it to him saying “I believe this is yours.” The party searched the bodies of the dead Ogre’s and Thomas collected a chain whip that he may be able to use. Thomas explained that there are at least 4 Ogre’s in the other room, and they certainly know that they are under attack. Juan picked up one of the Ogre arms to use as a club and climbed up on Abrash the Ape again. Isabella suggested they could negotiate with Kishan but the others thought a direct attack would be more effective.

Thomas collected 5 or so healing potions of various types and Juan laid his hands on him bring him mostly to full health. Seeing that Thomas was okay, Isabella grabbed her axe and swung at the door. After she missed, the Ape swung at the door, and he too missed. Gazlowe walked over and found the door was unlocked. He then pulled the door open allowing the Ape to rush in.

A large room with something in the shadows.

As soon as the door burst open two ogres holding small ballista shot their bolts into the Ape. A dark voice from the shadows said “Get them” in Giant. Isabella ran into the room. She saw 4 large columns with a torch on them along the sides of the room. In the center of the room was a brazier with faintly glowing embers and behind it a desk. Behind the desk the light faded into shadow. There were 2 Ogre Bolt launchers standing back near the brazier along with an Ogre Alley Basher and 4 Ogre Goons at the front of the room that was well lit by torches on the wall. Isabella swung her axe twice and killed 3 of the Goons.

Gazlowe dashed into the room towards the back. He stepped onto a trap door that opened revealing a spiked pit trap. With astonishing dexterity, Gazlowe avoided the trap and ran towards the desk. He spotted an Ogre Mage, an Ogre Cunning Artisan, and another Ogre Ally Bashers. Seeing the powerful Ogres hiding in the shadows he backed up. The Ape walked up to the nearest Ally Basher and started pummeling him with his fists leaving him bloodied. The Alley Basher returned the blows and broke Abrash’s concentration on the Ape returning him to his normal form. Juan fell from the head of the ape and landed prone on the ground. Juan stood up and swung the Ogre Arm at the alley basher and just hit him with a glancing blow.

The last remaining Ogre Goon ran over to Isabella and punched her but only did minimal damage. Thomas went to the last Ogre Goon and finished him off. The Cunning Artisan attempted to Curse Gazlowe, but Gazlowe adjusted his posture and was able to avoid it. The Bolt launcher shot a bolt at Isabella. The Ally Basher in the back of the room ran towards Gazlowe but couldn’t land a blow. Ajani shot a chromatic orb at the Bolt Launcher nearest Gazlowe and struck him with Thunder damage. Isabella recklessly struck at the Alley Basher with her axe twice and took him out.

A Fog cloud in the shadows.

The Ogre Mage in the darkness that only Gazlowe could see rose into the air with a devious smile on his face. He pointed a finger and cast a spell at Gazlowe, and a showy hand went towards Gazlowe, but Gazlowe was able to dodge it. Seeing that he was so far from the others in his party and dealing with the boss alone, Gazlowe used his last remaining charge of fire breath at the Ogre Mage. The Ogre Mage activated his glowing bracelet and avoided most of the flame, but Gazlowe noticed that the Bracelet then went dark. Gazlowe then cast a fog cloud and he hid behind one of the pillars.

Abrash summoned his fuming fey spirit. The creature went into the fog cloud and struck the Alley Basher. The Bolt launcher shot a bolt at Isabella. Juan somehow completed summoning his stead (A War Rooster.) Thomas shot his hand crossbow at the Bolt launcher and hit it. The 2nd bolt launcher hit the Juan with a glancing blow. Ajani walked behind a pillar and fell into a spike pit trap. Using his telekinesis Ajani miraculously pulled himself out of the pit.

The Alley basher ran up to Abrash and landed one punch. The Ogre Mage floated out of the fog cloud, spotted Gazlowe and slammed his iron on him. The Ogre Mage then Far stepped above the fog cloud and floated back down into it. Isabella struck the Alley Basher twice with her axe badly hurting him. Gazlowe walked around the fog cloud and spotted the Cunning Artisan at the desk and catapulted a rock at him. The War Rooster charged to the Bolt launcher and Juan channeled his divinity and frightened the Ogre. Abrash cast grasping vines and pulled the Alley Basher into the spiked pit bloodying him. The Fey spirit struck one of the Bolt Launchers. The Bolt launcher shot a bolt at Isabella.

Thomas pulled out his whip and killed one of the Bolt Launchers. The Cunning Artisan shot an arcane bolt at Gazlowe and wounded him. Ajani walked up to the pit with the Ogre in it and hit him with a Chromatic Orb. The Ogre jumped up grabbing ahold of the edge of the pit and lifted himself up and out of the pit and stood towering over Ajani. The Ogre Mage came out of the fog cloud and found Gazlowe and again pummeled him with his iron club. Again, he far stepped above the fog cloud and then floated down into it.

Clearing the fog cloud

Isabella walked towards the back of the room and steeped onto a fake floor tile and fell into an acid pit. She quickly reacted and grabbed ahold of the edge of the pit and was able to pull herself out. Gazlowe moved up against the wall. He prepared the heat metal spell to attack the Ogre Mage when it next appears. Doing so caused the fog cloud to disappear and Gazlowe then saw the Ogre Mage was hiding in the Fog cloud. Gazlowe released his heat metal spell, and the Ogre Mage dropped the red-hot Iron club he was holding.

The War Rooster clawed at the Bolt launcher. Abrash hit the Ogre Mage with a Guiding Bolt. The Fey spirit picked up the Iron club and ran away with it. Juan bloodied the Bolt Launcher with his lance. Thomas used the Ballista to launch himself at the Ogre Mage. He landed with style and critically struck the mage with his whip. The Cunning Artisan saw what Thomas did and cursed him turning his +1 whip into a -1 whip. Ajani psychically pushed the Ogre that had crawled out of the pit back into the pit. The Ogre fell and landed on a spike that killed him.

The Ogre Mage frustrated yelled and cast Cone of Cold at Thomas, Isabella, Abrash, the Fey Creature and Ajani. The damage wasn’t as much as it could have been but the Fey, Abrash and Ajani were critically close to death. The Ogre Mage then used his Far step to teleport away from everyone. Isabella started another rage and killed one of the Ogres. She then ran to another and critically hurt him. Gazlowe struck the Ogre Mage with Magic Missiles and killed him.

Abrash shot a guiding bolt at the last remaining Ogre, the Cunning Artisan and hurt him a bit. The Fey spirit hit the ogre. Juan hit the Ogre with his lance. Thomas swung the whip at the Ogre but because it was cursed it missed. The Ogre couldn’t hit anyone, and neither could Ajani. Isabella hit the ogre with an arrow. Gazlowe punched the Cunning Artisan leaving him severely bloodied. Abrash hit it wish a guiding bolt and his fey spirit, looking like a vine creature came from the floor, climbed up his body and destroyed him.

The Spoils of a well fought battle

As silence fell in the Ogre’s headquarters, the party could hear shouts from the soldiers outside as the routed the Ogres. Clearly victory was at hand. The party quickly began searching the room before Vandore’s troops came in. They found a treasure chest filled with treasure along with a note that read:

Prepare your forces to secure the cities around the southern end of the forest. DO NOT engage beyond a few minor tests of their strength. We will coordinate the final plans so that we will expel those who may challenge the empress. Collect valuables so we can fund the other efforts. Those efforts are slightly behind schedule but remain on track. You will be rewarded as promised. Be patient. Signed: Toff Tinmark

In the chest they found:

• Spell Scroll: (3rd level) Fire Ball
• Spell Scroll: (4th level) Gravity Sinkhole
• Spell Scroll: (5th level) Far Step
• Spell scroll (7th level) - Teleport
• 1 Potion of Speed
• 1 potion of acid resistance
• 1 splash potions of healing
• 1 splash potion of Better healing
• 1 splash potion of Superioreor healing
• 1 Splash potion of Supremeior Healing
• 250 gp art objects:
  • Box of turquoise animal figurines
  • Brass mug with jade inlay
  • Qty: 2) Large gold bracelet
  • Qty: 2) Silk robe with gold embroidery
• 1,300 gp, 80 pp
• A doll.

When Gazlowe picked up the doll, it said: “You are intelligent, capable and attractive.” He put it on his shoulder and patted it and it said: “You are worthy of being loved.” He touched it again, it said: “You are courageous, confident and punctual.” Enjoying it he touched it again and it said: “It's okay; They deserved to die.“ Then it said: “Think about what makes you happy” One lasty time he touched it and it said: “Dog gone it; Ogres like you!”

Meeting with Vandore

The party put the treasure into their bag of holding. They went around the dead ogres and collected what they could. They took one of the Ballista from the dead bolt launchers and put it into the tent. Abrash took the wand from the Dead Cunning Artisan. They heard footsteps marching down the hall and several soldiers came into the room. They called out to others outside saying, “They’re in here!”

A small skinny human came into the room. He introduced himself as Lt. Crusher and asked them if party needed any help. The party declined and then Lt. Crusher asked if they found anything significant. The party told Lt. Crusher they found a note and it needed to be given to Vandore directly. Lt. Crusher led the party out.

The battlefield was a mess, dead Ogres laid all over along with quite a few humans and others. But clearly there were far more dead Ogres than humans. Gazlowe spotted something shiny on a dead human soldier. He snuck up and took off a wedding band that had an inscription on the inside: “JS.” They continued through the devastation and found Vandore who was wounded. A Cleric was bandaging him and closing a wound on his face.

Vandore saw the party and immediately asked them what they found. Ajani showed him the note. Vandore read it but had no idea who Toff Tinmark or the Empress were. He noticed that the handwriting looked elvish, and Ajani agreed. Vandore had Lt. Crusher make a copy of the note and he did so with amazing speed. They gave the original back to Ajani.

A much-needed rest

Vandore took out a piece of parchment and handed it to Ajani. He told them they’ve earned a much-needed rest and handed them the parchment. It entitled the party to a one-week stay at the Grand hotel in Zelbross and was signed by Mayor Percival Bentley and had his seal on it. The certificate entitled the party to one week in the Royal suit along with 3 meals per day per person and unlimited ale (only one bottle of wine per day.) Thomas suggested they can sell the certificate, Gazlowe said he could forge it and they could stay forever!

The party made their way to the fancy part of Zelbross and found the Grand Hotel. The party approached and Gazlowe snapped his fingers at the Doorman who sneered at them. He suggested the tavern down the street. Ajani showed him the certificate and the doorman pointed them to the front desk. The gentleman at the front desk examined the certificate and gave them each a key with a blue badge attached. He explained that the badge entitles them to free ale at the bar, 3 excellent meals each day and use of all the amenities within the Grand Hotel. The key gives them access to the Royal suite of rooms on the 3rd floor. The party split up and each went to enjoy the luxuries the hotel offered and Gazlowe seemed to be determined to drink the hotel out of business.

At the keep

Thomas went to the keep. He found the kobold alchemist Vumkaxxu and gave him all the books and reagents he had found, and he had a lot. Vumkaxxu gave Thomas 30gp for all the items and told him to leave. Thomas told him he wanted work with him and learn. Vumkaxxu agreed but told him that it would cost him 30gp to apprentice. Thomas gave him back the 30 gold.

Looking through the items he had acquired, Vumkaxxu suggested they use the medusa tongue and basilisk eyes to make a potion of stone and they could even make an antidote. Thomas said he wanted to poison the Lizardfolk in the keep as they were increasing in number, but he wanted the poison to be undetectable. Vumkaxxu suggested using the black dragon tongue and they could dissolve the dragonfolk from the inside out, a slow and painful way to poison someone.

Summoned

In the morning Thomas heard a knock on the door of the potion master’s room where he had dozed off. The rough voice said he’s looking for the Stone Bearers and that the Red Lady needs them now. Thomas put his head through the door and saw Eversus, the mage with the Dark robes and long dark greasy hair and pale grey skin. They had seen him before with Victor Rathmore, the man with the golden mask. Thomas explained that the others are in Zelbross, and he inquired as to why they’re being summoned.

Eversus simply said you screwed up and you’re needed now. Reluctantly Thomas came out of the room and Eversus teleported them to a room in Zelbross. Thomas found himself in the wooden attic of a small row house in Zelbross where an arcane circle was etched onto the floor. Eversus quickly led Thomas down the stairs and they walked a few blocks to the Grand Hotel.

In the Hotel

Abrash had spent the night casting enhance ability on Gazlowe to aid him in his quest to drink the Hotel out of business. Gazlowe had gone to bed quite inebriated but not sick. Abrash and Isabella went into town at dawn and Gazlowe began drinking to cure his hangover. Juan went out in the courtyard to do morning calisthenics in a sheer silk robe. Ajani went to the spa first thing in the morning and was laying back in a lounge chair with mud on his face and cucumbers on his eyes asking the ladies around him if they ever heard of a “Toff Tinmark” when Thomas and Eversus found him.

Eversus walked up to Ajani and removed the Cucumbers from his eyes. He said, “I know of Toff Tinmark but we have more important matters that must be attended to first.” Eversus bent down to Ajani’s ear and whispered, “You screwed up and it has cost the lives of my people. As elves you need to appreciate the full weight of what is at stake. If you fail to save her don't bother returning. I need you now. Gather the others.” Ajani quickly sobered up and got up.

Walking into the bar they found Gazlowe causing a minor disturbance at the bar looking for more ale. Eversus cast a spell on Gazlowe to sober him up but Gazlowe resisted it. Gazlowe refused to listen to Eversus. Why are we needed? Eversus explained to Ajani that yesterday the Eclivian Drow were slaughtered by their own. One of the Drow barely survived and was able to explain that the Drow that came back from the Forbidden cavern were being slowly cured by the clerics and their sanity being restored. But one of the Drow who came back, Nimkos had successfully deceived everyone. She bided her time and then slaughtered the Drow when their defenses were down, and they were meditating. Leszyr was captured and taken back into the Forbidden cavern. If there is any hope for the Eclivian Drow to remain, Leszyr need to be rescued. Eversus went on to explain that the Red Lady was depending on you to secure the relationship with the Eclivian Drow and that the Stone Bearers need to fix this in order to regain the Red Lady’s favor.

It's not our fault!

Ajani messaged Abrash and told him to come back to the Hotel. Abrash and Isabella quickly returned. Gazlowe continued to drink, and Thomas shot his mug. Thomas tried to grab Gazlowe but Gazlowe called for guards to get rid of Thomas. Gazlowe wasn’t going to leave without a fight. Isabella and Abrash came in and saw the chaos and Isabella picked up Gazlowe and put him over her shoulder and took him away. The guards and bartender were quite pleased. Thomas left a 1pp for the bartender.

Walking past the large window to the courtyard they saw Juan doing cartwheels in his sheer bathrobe. Gazlowe couldn’t hold his ale any longer and vomited over the back of Isabella. Juan bent over and saw the party and then joined them. Eversus told the party to grab their equipment. Gazlowe protested.

The situation was quickly explained to everyone and Gazlowe maintained that the Drow should have been able to handle their own people. He said that it’s not the Stone Bearer’s fault if the Clerics couldn’t detect and cure the madness properly. Abrash agreed and Ajani said, “I don’t feel guilty.” Isabella and Thomas however agreed they should go help. Abrash told Eversus that he failed to see how this is their fault. Eversus asked, “Are you not going to help?” The party discussed it a bit more and then voted. Gazlowe was outvoted and the party agreed to go help (although they still didn’t think this was their fault.)

Back to the forbidden cavern.

The party grabbed their items and stole the hotel robes and then met Eversus in the Lobby. Gazlowe was still not happy with the decision and was mumbling about “doing the right thing all the time.” He told Eversus how he felt and Eversus took it very stoically. Eversus led the party back to the row house a few blocks away and to the attic where a teleportation circle was drawn. Eversus spread a bit more chalk and ruby dust around the circle and teleported the party back to the Eclivian Enclave’s cavern.

In the cavern they saw the dead Drow. Eversus lead them to the sole survivor, Fellas. Fellas told them that Leszyr was taken back into the cavern. The party was very suspicious of the whole scenario and didn’t understand how this could have happened. Thomas examined the area and Abrash studied Fellas looking for any signs of deception. It all appeared as they were told but the party was still suspicious.

Abrash wanted some sort of agreement signed so he wouldn’t be held to blame for what happened after they brought back Leszyr. Eversus told them it’s not for him to sign, and if they wanted absolution they need to talk to the Red Lady and Leszyr. Frustrated, the Party made their way into the Forbidden cavern. On the way Gazlowe started to teach the Doll new phrases.