[RPG] Sword and Sorcery Play-by-Post

I examine each of the five tunnels to see if there is any evidence of the ogres. Due to their size, it's unlikely that they would not have left some sign of their passage if they came this way. Also, I have some distrust of the gnomish wizard, as he has yet to tell us anything about himself, even his name. I suspect his reason for accompanying us is to rescue his fellow gnomes, but I can't help thinking he may have other motives as well.

(OOC: I'm not fond of the flash format, so if it does change to that I can't say for sure how often I'll post)

[MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION] [MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION]

I begin pacing around the lake as the root gets bigger and bigger and blossoms into a red rose with a Noble woman with red eyes and black hair inside. she looks at me for a moment, and smiles. "A werewolf? How interesting, not often are my visitors creatures of the night. My name is Madam Red and as you might of guess I am a Vampire." She hops off her plant throne. And crosses her arm smiling again. I ask her about the forest and the mansion. she simply responds that I should follow her to find the answers I seek. I look at my companions and walk off following the strange woman further into the dark depths of the forest.

After a while she stops and looks back at me with a smile and seductive look in her eye. "It's been a while Rosaria, how goes the hunting so to say? "Sharp as ever, I think to myself" and morph back to my elf form and smile back. "Excellent, snacked on humans two days ago they we're delicious. Been a while since we gone an adventure together. But for now we should keep our past hidden those two know they cannot trust one such as myself, and we all though you shouldn't make a deal with a vampire. Of course that didn't stop me did it?"

We continue a few hours through the forest till we reach a tomb, "We'll wait underground until tomorrow night, I'm out of sunscreen, and me and that light in the sky just can't seem to get along anymore." She removes her dress and throws it on the grass, revealing provocative pitch black Leather armor and a Rapier underneath. "I see you're prepared, Very well let's go. I follow her into the dark depths of the catacombs below."

Note: We both have dark vision do to our nocturnal nature.

I make sure the entrance is secure, then I inquire of our newest companions while we have a moments reprieve about themselves. I then stand watch while the others rest before we determine what the next course of action is.

=====
(Since there is resistance to a change in format, I offer the following alternative: Someone else can take over as gamemaster.

Tamamo has already volunteered. If you would like to be gamemaster or to co-chair the position, self nominate in your next post. You have until next week to self-nominate, at which point we'll hold an informal poll to decide what happens next)
=====

[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, you notice that the slightly downward path has evidence of ogre activity. More specifically, a smear of the disarmed ogre's blood is on the wall and some of the stalactites are broken.
You turn your attention to the gnomish wizard. However, due to the incredibly low probability that the player he was intended for will use him, on close inspection you find he is nothing more than a CARDBOARD CUTOUT.
You are perplexed by this but decide to write it off as one of life's many mysteries. You lead everybody else down the path that has the evidence of the ogre's passing. However, upon reaching its end you find not your quarry but rather a gigantic piece of gnomish machinery. Some kind of engine, perhaps? What's it doing in the cave here?
What do you do?

[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, you take a moment to get to know the two adventurers you've picked up in the pursuit of these ogres. The DWARVEN KNIGHT introduces himself as GRINGHAM. You ask why he's in the region and he explains he was on his way to visit a cousin in the dwarven settlement under this very mountain, but he misplaced his travel visa during the journey and they won't let him in. He also mentions that it's odd there would be a cave that isn't connected to the settlement in the mountain, but writes it off due to its altitude. "We like the deep spaces", he says.
You give the knight a more conscientious examination: he's wearing half plate but it's polished and it doesn't seem to have any scratches. Likewise, his sword looks brand new. You get the feeling this guy has never been in combat before.
Turning your attention to the GNOMISH WIZARD, you notice that he hasn't said a word the entire time you were here. Upon closer inspection you find that he is a CARDBOARD CUTOUT. Is... is that normal?
Sancireph says he found a trail for the ogres and leads you down one of the paths deeper into the cave. Upon emerging in another chamber, you find not your quarry but a great GNOMISH ENGINE. What's this thing doing in a cave like this?
What do you do?

[MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION]
Malichor, you notice that everyone seems to be turning their attention on the MATH WIZARD. Taking a closer look, you notice that he's not a wizard at all, but a CARDBOARD CUTOUT. When did he make the switch? You're not terribly familiar with math magic, is this one of their tricks?
Sancireph points out evidence that the ogres went down the second passage. You, he, Zataka, and Gringham shrug off the confusion of the gnome and progress down that path. Upon emerging in another chamber, you find not your quarry but a great GNOMISH ENGINE. What's this thing doing in a cave like this?
What do you do?

=====

[MENTION=56506]Tamamo[/MENTION]
Rossaria, you follow your paramour LADY RED to a catacomb in the depths of the forest. The path is familiar to you, as it is one that you have walked many times before. Once enveloped in the cradling dark, Red explains that the mansion belongs to one of the grand magisters, a HEDGE WIZARD who goes by the name TELIVAR. He comes to the region occasionally for access to the quarry, apparently the dwarves under the mountain to the north excavate to expand their real estate, pass the stones of to the gnomes on the hillside, who then sell it to real estate developers. Of note, though, is that the whole mansion appears and disappears as if by magic. This is intriguing to you, as it would suggest that this wizard is in possession of a great deal of power. Red looks you in the eyes, seeing the inspiration behind them.
"I know what you're thinking, but he's a hedge wizard. We need to find a master of Lycaon magic for our endeavor, Rossaria."
It doesn't seem like those two guys followed you.
What do you do?

=====

[MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION] [MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION]
Jerias and Reven, the twitching branch in the pond rises from the muck. It's a hand. As the mass continues to elevate and defy physics it takes the shape of a woman, red like the night and standing on the surface of the water. Reven, you instantly recognize that this is a VAMPIRE. She walks across the water's surface, leaving tiny ripples as she steps on its surface. She introduces herself as LADY RED. Rossaria asks about the mansion and the forest, and the vampire says that answers wait in her wake. She then wanders off into the dark, a light snowfall following her wake.
You already know about Telivar and the mansion, so you are hesitant to follow. Also, Jerias recounts that the map says you should go west, rather than south. Rossaria leaves, though.
What do you do?

Intrigued I pace around the room thinking to myself before finally speaking. "A Hedge Wizard wouldn't have the necessary knowledge to dispel my curse no, however this Telivar would have to be taught to cast that spell, he wouldn't be able to do so on his own. He may have magical contacts and perhaps even be part of a magic guild. That would be our best lead at this point. Still this doesn't explain why the forest is silent. Any ideas Red?"

Red crosses her arm and ponders a thought. "If mother nature would open her mouth i would know right away, but she abandoned me years ago. Let's just assume both the state of the Forest and this mansion of ours are linked somehow."

We smile at each other and wait for Dusk, hoping to reach the mansion by midnight.

The cardboard cutout surprises me at first, but I brush it out of my mind as I have seen weirder things. The dwarf reminds me of the captain of my Royal Guard back on my homeworld, except he wielded a warhammer and a shield. Nostalgia aside, I have some knowledge of dwarven combat tactics I could share with him if he proves to be as inexperienced as his gear suggests. Upon finding the gnomish machine, I examine the area for any signs of danger first. Once we are certain the area is secure, I inquire if anyone in our group can examine it and determine its use. I stand guard and keep watch over the area in case the ogres appear, ready to unsheathe my greatsword at a moments notice.

=====
I think I may step out. I have been idling for quite some time. I was debating recently over my own difficulties and also CJC's. I may be too hard-headed and inflexible. I may have made a mistake in using a character of my own with a layered backstory and determined potential story instead of a throwaway that can bend any which way. CJC and I had some chemistry writing together but I think weariness over busy schedules and stepping on each others toes may have have the better of us. I don't think I could/would adapt to another writer. If someone does take over I will probably write myself out. I am fairly certain that flash RPG format would suit me even less. If this particular story and format takes a hiatus I'd probably consider picking it up again.

[MENTION=39330]CJC[/MENTION], I want you to know I wasn't begrudging you your difficulties with managing my portion of the story. I think I had too much unspoken vision for you to possibly deal with and when you contradicted that it hindered my ability and desire to be creative(as hindered as it was already). I am an undisciplined writer as is. Which is probably why I have yet to complete a story. Hopefully in the next few months I will have more free time, better internet, and as always I hope I get some better sleep.

=====

I greatly distrust vampires. It's the one's that seem benign that are often the most dangerous. I head west with the Dragoon and let Texia out to hunt. We continue on, she won't go far enough to lose me. She always seems to know where I am. We always seem to know what the other wants but I ponder the fact that Texia doesn't seem to have telepathy in the same way as other dragons, or doesn't know or care to use it in such ways.

Up ahead I spot a Svark. It's an boar-like creature often found around ogres and somewhat resembles them. It may have belonged to the ogres we crossed. They can be extremely unpredictable and dangerous so I go to avoid it but my hunger gets the better of me. I do have a man-sized reptile on my team after all. I pull out a crossbow bolt, a cord, a makeshift sling bow I use to hunt and toss the end of the cord to my companion. I secure it to the bolt and shoot it into the beast's neck. The hooked arrow's head should hold while we lasso the large creature (or it bleeds to death while we try).

I examine the large machine to see if I can determine its function. However, knowing that gnomish machines are very Goldberg-like, I realize that this is unlikely. It occurs to me to wonder, was this machine the reason the ogres captured the gnomes? Perhaps they captured the gnomes to force them to build the machine, or perhaps it was already built and they (the gnomes) were needed to operate it. I voice this thought to my companions. Meanwhile, I scan the rest of this chamber to see if there are other exits--the ogres do not seem to be present, so they had to have left this room by other means.

=====
Game News
Okay, we have one self nomination [Tamamo] and a vote to go on hiatus. Since I feel a hiatus would mean the death of the game, I have decided that as Tamamo was nice enough to volunteer her service as game master I am going to accept the offer.

Thus, the next update will be my last... for now. Tamamo is then free to continue making updates for players at her leisure [though it might work best to keep with a once-a-week pace].

Here is a list of the currently locked characters and the players who have access to them:

[indent]
Players
Sancireph = [MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION] [Pronouns: Ravager, Aasimar]

Mangetsu Zataka = [MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION] [Pronouns: Paladin, Soldier]

Malichor = [MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION] [Pronouns: Mage, Paper Wizard]

Reven = [MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION] [Pronouns: Ranger, Stranger]

Jerias = [MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION] [Pronouns: Dragoon, Lizardman, Snake]

Rossaria = [MENTION=56506]Tamamo[/MENTION] [Pronouns: Huntress]

Gnomish Math Wizard = [MENTION=40755]ctrl-alt-delete[/MENTION]

Gringham = [MENTION=39330]CJC[/MENTION] [Pronouns: Knight, Dwarf]

NPCs
Telivar = [MENTION=39330]CJC[/MENTION] [Pronouns: Hedge Wizard]

Toma the Younger = [MENTION=39330]CJC[/MENTION] & Current Game Master

Toma the Elder = [MENTION=39330]CJC[/MENTION] & Current Game Master

Lady Red = [MENTION=56506]Tamamo[/MENTION] & Current Game Master [Pronouns: Vampire]

Texia = [MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION] & Current Game Master [Pronouns: Venom Dragon]

Atticas = [MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION] & Current Game Master [Pronouns: Green Dragon]

Bankraz = [MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION] & Current Game Master [Pronouns: Azure Dragon][/indent]

Any remaining characters not listed (like the crossbow burglar) are free game for anybody to post, manipulate, and act on as they please.
=====

[MENTION=56506]Tamamo[/MENTION]
Rossaria, you and Lady Red consider waiting for dusk, but upon realizing that it is already midnight on the NIGHT OF THE FIRST SNOW, you resolve to leave for the mansion now, knowing that you can take refuge within if the sun becomes a menace. You take the form of a DIRE WOLF and Lady Red climbs on your back. With paws to the ground, you sprint from the dying forest and break across the field, coming to the dour mansion relatively swiftly.
"Gaudy little estate, isn't it?" Red comments. "Shall we knock loud? Or softly?"
There's a PUMPKIN PATCH to the northwest of the grounds, tucked behind some kind of GREENHOUSE. To the northeast, a hedge maze looms ominously. Then again, there's always the front door.
How do you knock?

=====

[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, you secure the perimeter and then ask if anybody knows what this machine is for. To your shock, that GNOMISH WIZARD appears, leans in, and comments. "It's a drill. Doesn't look like it's finished, though." You try to ask him where he's been, but as soon as you blink he's a CARDBOARD CUTOUT again.
It's clear the ogres were kidnapping gnomes to build or repair this machine. ...But what could they be drilling for?
Sancireph has found the blood trail again, going out of the chamber. The amount seems to be less than what was present before. Either the beast has almost bled to death or it is healing at an astronomical rate.
What do you do?

=====

[MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION]
Reven, a strange thought pops into your head. SVARKS are rather a lot like ogre boars, right? And Texia seems to be... well, she's almost like a cat, coming and going as she pleases and looking to you for sustenance. Perhaps she is to dragons as the SVARKS are to ogres; a related species that operates on a different instinctual level. You hesitate to use the term chattel as it doesn't feel appropriate, but you get the vibe that while she is a dragon, she is one of a different caliber. Perhaps the term is too general.
Jerias takes the crossbow and fires it into the beast. The two of you then proceed to play tug of war with the svark while it slowly bleeds to death. It's tiring work, but your quarry surrenders its life and you roast a fine meal from its carcass.
It's almost dawn, and the two of you have been going nonstop since yesterday. Is it safe to camp here? You haven't seen any signs of ogres, but you notice a growing cloud of smoke over the treetops. Could you be near the map's destination?
You ask Jerias to check the map. He says he left it with you, but you can't find it in your pockets.
What do you do?

=====

[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, close examination of the machine does indeed reveal that it has needlessly complex mechanisms to achieve a very simple goal: it appears to be a drill of some sort. You note that several pieces are missing, confirming your suspicion that the ogres kidnapped gnomes for the purpose of building this machine. For what purpose? Suddenly you catch the scent of blood in your nostrils. Following the smell you find a very narrow path leading out of this chamber. However, the amount of blood on the walls is minimal. With that ogre missing both of its arms, how could it pass through such a narrow passage without leaving a mess? Has it nearly bled to death? The passage looks like it can only accommodate one person at a time. You enter cautiously, assaulted by the darkness of the cavern and feeling a looming sense of dread. If you were to traverse this passage, the healthy ogre could very easily get the drop on you when you emerged. They know they're being followed. Worse, there might be more in these caverns that you're unaware of.
You need to decide how to proceed. What do you do?

=====

[MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION]
Jerias, while travelling west through the forest with REVEN, the two of you come across some kind of boar beast, which Reven refers to as a SVARK. He hands you a crossbow with line and tells you to shoot the thing so the two of you can cook some dinner. After doing so and after a rigorous tug of war with the beast, you end its life and the two of you set to cooking the beast (Reven on a spit and you and Atticas with careful bursts of firebreath). The night is growing long and you are very tired. With a meal in your belly and a warm fire it is hard to resist drifting off to sleep. But is it safe to rest here? A cloud of smoke grows in the forest further west from here. You feel you might be close to the location the map was depicting. Reven asks to see the map again, but you don't have it. When he searches his pockets he cannot find it and begins to grow frustrated.
You feel subtle vibrations on the ground near you.
What do you do?

=====

[MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION]
Malichor, you zone out in the cavernous chamber with your friends Sancireph and Zataka, trying to determine the purpose of this machine. You hear somebody mention that it's a DRILL, but you can't place your finger on who actually said it. What would somebody want to drill in the mountains? Unless... hey, that Dwarf guy said there was a mine directly below here.
Sancireph wanders off.
What do you do?

I see what Sancireph has found thus far and discus strategy amongst the group. I would prefer that we don't venture apart unless we are in at least groups of 2. I try to recall if ogres have a regenerative ability, but I can't help but think of trolls in that regard (since my chances to study such monsters has waned since I left my homeworld). I advise that we remain vigilant and only strike once we are certain of the situation. If an ally becomes cornered, I will throw caution to the wind and focus on their attacker(s).

I head back to the room with the drill, not wanting to venture further along that way on my own. I do relate to my companions what I have found I also ask the question that if the gnomes were brought here to build this machine, where are they now? I discuss possible strategies with the other to decide the best course of action.

((I also wanted to point out that Sancireph is NOT a ravager, he is simply a straightforward fighter, primarily elven but with celestial ancestry which makes him an aasimar. Aasimar are not a specific society...Google the term if you need more information))

TheDarkOne wrote:((Aasimar are not a specific society...Google the term if you need more information))

((Tamamo has expressed unavailability to take over the RPG, so we're going to finish the Ogre plot and then the story will go on hiatus. If we pick it up again I will probably instance the universe by player so that everyone can go at their own pace. I predict it'll take about three more updates to finish the Ogre plot))

[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION] [MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Zataka and Sancireph, as a group you and the KNIGHT make your way through the narrow passage into the next chamber. You can't tell where Malichor wandered off to, though. Maybe he made his way back to town.
Emerging, you find the corpse of the BLUE OGRE. Its two severed stumps have been CAUTERIZED, implying that the other ogre attempted first aid. Still, it appears to have died of shock.
You hear two people arguing nearby.
"I told you, more gnomes won't solve the problem! There's nowhere to put what we drill out."
Incomprehensible grunts follow.
"Fine, fine, just put them over there and everything will be fine."
You feel the ground quake as the RED OGRE stomps away. Sneaking closer for a look, you see a GNOMISH ENGINEER chained to the wall. She looks frustrated. The sack of kidnapped gnomes is on the ground next to her.
What do you do?

=====
[MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION] [MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION]
Reven and Jerias, shrugging off the thoughts of danger you resolve to rest and recover your strength. The two of you share the boon of the SVARK and then pass out, deciding to let ATTICAS take watch.
You awaken in a hut, the putrid smell of alchemy burning in your nostrils. A withered woman is making a brew of some sort near you.
"Ah, you are awake. It's not a good idea to sleep in a forest like this. Too many wicked things drain the life from the trees; who knows what would have happened if I hadn't found you."
Jerias scolds Atticas for not warning about the approach of this witch.
"What? I saw her coming, I was watching the whole time, just like you asked."
**FACEPALM!**
The witch looks at the pair of you with discerning eyes.
"Now, what are folks like you doing in a place like this? And would you like some tea?"
What do you do?

=====
[MENTION=56506]Tamamo[/MENTION]
Rossaria, Red gives you an uncomfortable glare.
"I know you like the moon and all, but can we go inside? I feel like my frail ivory skin will burn if we stay out in the glow like this."
You open the front doors. Beyond is a great LOBBY, though it looks as if it's had a rough night. You are standing on a balcony, with the stairs down right in front of you. However, at the bottom of those stairs is a great big hole, as if the floor crumbled into the basement below. To your right, a wall is visibly damaged and appears to have been recently repaired. Rats run back and forth conducting fixes around the room.
There are five doors exiting this room, two on the balcony with you and three on the level below. Two are on the left, two are on the right, and the level below has a door straight ahead of you.
What do you do?

=====
[MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION]
Malichor, you doze off in the chamber with the drill, having been denied a full forty winks by the ogre interruption. You feel your mind drifting back to that to the dream you had earlier. Startled, you abruptly awaken again to find yourself in the cavern chamber once more. Everyone else seems to have departed. Your stash of paper is swirling in the air around you. Suddenly, the machine in the room begins to whir to life. As it drills, a spout of sand sprays in your direction.
What do you do?

After checking to make sure the ogre is gone, I suggest to my companions that we help the gnomes. I will free the chained engineer and they can free the gnomes from the sack. Once she is freed, I ask the engineer about the purpose of the machine and why the ogres find it so important.

I keep watch for the remaining ogres and any possible allies they may have, leaving my companions to see to the gnomes' safety. I keep my greatsword at the ready, unsheathed, and ready to enchant it as needed (though I stay wary of the earth elemental enchantment I attempted earlier this night, instead deciding to substitute it with another element that could possibly counter electricity, perhaps wood or something)

[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, the engineer sees your approach and lets out a sigh of relief.
"THANK GOODNESS! They finally sent somebody to rescue me!"
You ask her about the machine.
"Huh, you mean you don't know? Wait, you only came here to rescue the guys they just kidnapped, didn't you. That's... depressing."
She turns to the corner to briefly nurse her ego, and then turns back to answer.
"It's a drill. The ogres are trying to drill their way into the dwarven settlement below us so that they can rescue their captured commander."
You ask why the ogres needed more gnomes.
"Because they're not that smart. I tried to explain the logistics to them, that there's just too much volume of rock between this cavern and the dwarven city below. So they had me modify the machine so that it would pulverize the debris. They don't seem to understand that smaller clasts still occupy the same amount of space."
You say that doesn't really answer your question.
"So I got desperate, okay? I told them I needed some assistants to get the machine working. I was hoping if there were a few more kidnappings somebody down in Audamar would notice and send a search party. But they've been bringing in dozens of prisoners and nobody's stepped in to intervene... until now. What's with that?"
You pick the lock on her shackles and she rubs her wrists. You then ask where the rest of the gnomes were placed.
"Well, there's that sack over there. Tonight's haul, I guess. The others they took into the back. I haven't heard from them since. I have to admit that I'm worried, but I don't know what to do."
It looks like Zataka has pressed on after the ogre.
What do you do?

=====
[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, you run a TREE enchantment along your blade, intending for the vines that follow to absorb any electrical attack the ogre might muster if you encounter it again. You delve deeper into the cavern expecting to come across the lone ogre resting from your earlier encounter. Instead, you find a barracks. Ducking back behind the wall you take a quick estimate and there appear to be at least three dozen ogres in the chamber, sleeping in piles with mining equipment nearby. As far as you can tell, roughly half of them are armed.
What do you do?

I observe the ogres, planning how best to deal with them. I scan the area for anything I can use. Perhaps some explosives of some sort if available, I could attempt to either decrease their numbers while they still sleep or at least seal them in until I can rally reinforcements. I attempt to keep a low profile as I know even with my combat skills, 3 dozen ogres by myself would be suicidal to say the least. If I can find nothing in the means of explosives, I will retreat back to my comrades and warn them of the danger of overstaying our welcome.

I go over to the sack to free the kidnapped gnomes. Meanwhile, I ask the engineer what she plans to do now that she is rescued. I also relate to her our experience, from fighting the ogres in town up until now. The engineer looks confused when I mention the others besides Zataka, pointing out that no one else is here. I turn to see that rest of our companion seem to have vanished.

((I am only doing this because the others seem to have abandoned the story. Between us we can probably come up with a believable way to explain their disappearance))

(Sorry, I've been blocked)
[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, you are able to sneak around the ogres relatively easily despite your heavy armor. Thankfully they're heavy sleepers. As far as mining equipment goes, you expected to find picks and dynamite, but there don't seem to be any explosives. Clearly they were counting on that machine to do most of the digging. You creep past the barracks into the next chamber, only to find a second machine like the one you encountered before. This one is being operated by a single ogre, with a gnome chain gang passing buckets of sand down the line and tossing their contents in the corner. There's one other ogre in this room. It looks like the green one from before, and it's shouting orders in its gutteral tone. As you try to back away and inform your comrades, your boot kicks a rock and makes a painfully loud clang. The green ogre turns, sees you, and recognizes you.
What do you do?

===== [MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, the engineer tells you she's going to book it out of here before the rest of the ogres catch wise. You ask how many there are, and she says somewhere in the vicinity of three dozen. She lost count after a while. When you talk about the fight with the three in the village, she warns that that's just the tip of the iceberg. These guys are organized and they're enraged, and that is not a bad combination.
...You expected Zataka to be back by now. And that DWARVEN KNIGHT seems to be gone too. When you go to look for Zataka, the gnomish engineer's statement is affirmed: you're in a barracks and there's got to be at least three dozen ogres in here. Thankfully they're asleep.
Zataka doesn't seem to be here, but you can see faint footprints in the sand on the ground, it seems as if he passed through this room.
What do you do?

Using my Cloak of Elvenkind (I established that I had one pages ago), I sneak through shadows while following the footprints, with hope they will lead me to Zataka. I can't help but wonder what became of Malichor, the Dwarven knight, and the Gnomish math wizard, but I will look for Zataka first. I know where he was headed, but I do not know where my other companions have gone.

Knowing that I have been discovered, I run at the ogre and do a leaping slash in an attempt to take him off guard and finish him before he can awaken the others. My number one priority at the moment is to take both ogres out as quickly as possible before they can alert the others and to ensure the gnomes safety. I utilize every ability at my disposable to do this until either help arrives or both ogres are incapacitated (or even dead).

[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, using your cloak of elvenkind, you easily slip past the ogres in the barracks, making your way to another chamber with a machine similar to the one that you saw earlier. It seems the ogres made the gnomes build multiples based on the original model from the engineer. It is being operated by an ogre and gnomes are passing buckets of sand out of the chamber in a chain gang.
Zataka is here as well, bringing his sword down on the green ogre you encountered in the village. It splits the thing in half like a banana.
The other ogre begins to shout. What do you do?

=====
[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, you bring your mighty blade down on the green ogre. You've gotten the drop on him, so he doesn't block or dodge. The great heft of your weapon splits him like an ice cream sundae and the resulting gush of gore coats you in unpleasant red matter.
The other ogre begins to shout. What do you do?

I draw my blades and attempt to decapitate the second ogre with a scissor-slash. If successful, I will again slip into the shadows before more ogres respond to this one's shout. Unfortunately, there is little I can do to help Zataka in his current situation.

I glance at the gnomes, seeing if they made it out yet or if I will need to cover their escape. I bring my attention back to the current remaining ogre and prepare to attack if need be. Otherwise my attention shifts to escorting the gnomes out at any cost. I prepare to cast the strongest enchantment onto my blade in anticipation of the other ogres awakening.

I speak to Madam Red and ask her to take us far away from this pumpkin patch and mansion. She creates one of her giant red roses and we sit inside and burrow deep beneath the surface of the snow. The pumpkins all die mysteriously as we leave.

[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, your blades slide between the ogre's vertebrae and you are able to remove the head from the body. You kick it towards the passageways to the barracks and slip into the darkness before the rest of the party can arrive.
Zataka raises his sword and casts an enchantment, causing the ground to quake and the opening to collapse. The lanterns hanging from the walls fall and crash, and you are left in darkness.
What do you do?

=====
[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, as you raise your blade to deal with the remaining ogre his head pops off like a cork. You catch a quick glimpse of Sancireph before he vanishes into the shadows.
With the other ogres quickly approaching you consider which enchantment would give you the best advantage. Then you remember how potent the quake incantation was when it fell off your blade. You resolve to collapse the passageway so that they can't pursue you.
As you cast the spell the ground around you begins to shake. The cavern collapses, filling the passageway. However, the lanterns fall from the walls and shroud you in darkness.
What do you do?

=====
[MENTION=56506]Tamamo[/MENTION]
Rossaria, you catch a disturbing glimpse into one of the pumpkins as you descend. Was that... a body? Well, too late to worry about that now.
Lady Red has returned the two of you to her palace in Kikonou, far away from the Audamar region and the creeping decay of that forest. An ocean away, actually. She disassembles the rose petal by petal, wrapping herself in the pieces as she goes.
Thunder breaks the silence. And then, a knock.
"Who could that be at such an hour? A... dinner guest?"
She smiles at you.
What do you do?

I quickly check my supplies for a torch or lantern. If that fails me, I resort to casting a fire enchantment on my blade in an attempt to use it as a source of light. Once I can secure a means of lighting the darkness, my first priority is to check on the gnomes and escort them to safety as quickly as possible.

I smile back, well then I'll go get dinner ready. I leave her with a peck on her pale white cheek and head to the kitchen. Been a while since I've been back home but I'm still able to find my way where in a few minutes. Grab some sleeping herbs "it won't work on me and red since we're elves. plus she's sort of already dead anyways" and make gotcha pork roast replacing the rosemary with the sleeping herbs. and also adding them to the mixture in the middle.

Dinner is served my lady. I say to her and my guess who takes a sniff of the air as Red asks him to join us.

"Or I don't want want to intrude. I was just err... Passing bye... Yeah that's right..." Clearly uncomfortable he moves back the front door.

With Lightning Speed I rush past him like the wind and with a glare and angry voice. I repeat our lady's request.
"The guess WILL stay..." He gives in, and proceeds to the dining room.

Red eats her roast in small bites to make it easier to throw up later. I devour it quickly enthralled in the sweet animal juices.

The man begins eating his dinner and introduces himself and begins explaining why he is here.

The darkness does not bother me as I can see with infravision. Keeping an ear out for approaching ogres, I assist Zataka in getting the gnomes to safety. I tell Zataka to keep his blade at the ready should any ogres arrive. I also keep my blades drawn, keeping to darker shadows with the assistance of my cloak to keep me nearly invisible.