Ogre & Out

## Synopsis

In Season 2, Chapter 18: Ogre & Out, Praxis led us to the first exterior stretch of the Tapered Tunnels where a small hollow shielded us from the wind and kept us mostly out of sight.

After a tough scrape with a pair of yetis, an hour of calm to recuperate was exactly what we needed – and as we rested amongst the curious goshawks we pondered whether the appearance of larger predators could be the reason for the winter wolves moving to lower elevations such as Ozryn's Pass.

Moments later the birds began to flee the hollow in a hurry – and we had an inkling that something was approaching.  Sure enough, hoots and grumbles were followed by the appearance of a Snowy Owlbear – but fast reactions to obscure ourselves from prying eyes paid dividends… and it continued on its way without stopping for a scrap.

Fighting through the cold as the sun was setting, we headed back inside the mountain and followed the glowing crystals until we heard noises from further ahead. Based on the heavy footsteps and their spoken tongue, Praxis guessed that it was Ogres occupying the next chamber – less frightening than yetis but still not to be underestimated.

Based on the layout of the room we had a few options: stealth, negotiation, ambush – but rather than risk everything on our ability to creep along the catwalk we committed to a hybrid approach.

Graven, speaking giant, lured a pair of them to the edge of a large fissure running through the floor – deceiving them with illusions of rare magic contained within the crystals.  When it seemed that the ogres were starting to lose their patience, Safira (who was stationed on the suspended rope bridge above) hurled a perfectly-placed thunderstone that knocked one into the crevasse for an instant kill.

Fighting commenced but the ogres were already on the back foot – and even a sheet of ice meant to divide the party couldn't stop Erland from vaulting over the top and neutralizing their lone spellcaster, who was overmatched in close combat.

The remaining two brutes were armed with chains and longbows that packed a wallop when they connected, but our numbers were too great – and even with some mild missteps like Orba falling from the rafters and Erland getting caught off-guard by a precisely-fired arrow, we dispatched every one of them… a resolution that was pleasing to Praxis, who had no love in his heart for these trespassers.

After a little more walking, there were reasons for optimism that we were approaching the end of the Tapered Tunnels: fresher air, snow on the ground and cracks in the ceiling that revealed the sky above.  Praxis indicated that the next corridor, spiraling up, was to be our last – and that from there we'd start to slide toward the Eastern Skybowl where we hoped the Coldlight Walker hadn't wandered too far by now.

Before such arrangements could be made, however, Safira noticed something slithering just beneath the top layer of snow – and upon gently prodding it with her boot, unearthed a rather zealous vine of some kind.  Praxis reached for a blade and the plant snapped at Safira's ankle with its sharp barbs and we braced ourselves for whatever quagmire we'd wandered into.

## Trivia

* Natural one count: one natural one was rolled in this Chapter, by Riley.