Test of Strength

## Event

*Mist pools in the foothills as you approach the Ogre's lair. Bones of fallen champions litter the way, picked clean by vultures. Their weapons lay here and there - rusted by the damp and twisted by the weather.*

This is the last chance to improve your Defence.

1) Continue.

If Ariadne is the current Companion:
*"Of course we press on," Ariadne says, pushing past. "Let me at that beast!"*
*She stops and lets out a roar. "Where are you, monster?"*
Otherwise:
*You catch up to Ariadne as she charges through the hillside.*
*In her hands she draws a massive mace, its face fashioned from the travelling forge's anvil. "Let us see how he likes it when my forge fights back!"*
**The Dealer draws The Blacksmith.**
*"This is no time for caution," Ariadne says, pushing past. "Let me at that beast! No one destroys my father's forge and continues to draw breath!"*
*She stops and lets out a roar. "Where are you, monster?"*
*The silhouette of the Ogre looms out of the mist.*
**The Dealer draws an Ogre card.** (In the Brimstone Encounter, the Ogre is also Brimstone)
*He raises his club above his head and leaps down from his perch, smashing the ground in front of you.*
*"The poor fools come happy to their death." He grins, displaying a mouth of yellow, jagged teeth.*
In the Brimstone Encounter:
*"Crunch, crunch, the little wagon went. And such pretty armour I did find!"*
*He waves the restored Jousting Armour about. "Dost your bones sing as beautifully?"*
In the Normal Encounter:
*"Crunch, crunch, the little wagon went. Dost your bones sing as beautifully?"*
*Ariadne bellows in defiance and charges her foe.*
If Ariadne is the current Companion:
*The ogre swings his club wildly, missing her by inches.*
*Frustrated, he turns his attention to you...*
Otherwise:
*Draknar swings his club wildly, catching [your Companion] and sending them flying.*
**The player loses their Companion for 3 turns.**
*Then, the ogre swings at you!"*
If the player's Defence is less than 60:
*With surprising dexterity, Ariadne leaps to your aid, taking the blow in your stead.*
*Battered, she crumples to the ground at your feet. "There was no way you'd be able to take a blow of that magnitude in that armour," she huffs, blood bubbling from her mouth, "but I'm afraid I won't be much help now."*
**Ariadne is removed from the fight.**
If the player's Defence is at least 60:
*The mighty club glances off your armour.*
*"Your armour is thick and strong!" Ariadne laughs. "Anders has done well!"*
You have passed the objective.
**Ariadne joins the fight.**
*Draknar roars and charges into battle.*
**The player enters Combat.**
*[With the ogre defeated, you help Ariadne [and your Companion] to [her/their] feet.]*
*[With the ogre defeated, you and Ariadne rush to [your Companion's] side and help them to their feet.]*
*Then you see it, shining under a pile of bloodied rags and small bones.*
**The player gains the second Half of Edesia's Charm.**
*The two halves of Edesia's Charm slide together, and with a rush of relief you feel the curse lift.*
**The player gains Edesia's Charm.**
In the Brimstone Encounter:
*Beside the ogre lays the stolen Jousting Armour, its appearance almost unrecognisable...*
**The player gains the Jousting Armour token.**
**The player gains the Platinum Suit.**
*"By the Gods," Ariadne gasps, slumping down on a stone. "Anders has outdone himself! Not since my father's day have I seen a suit so exquisite."*
*Her eyes begin to well up. "I doubt a single item in the Imperial armoury would be more sturdy."*
*As dusk falls, [your Companion] builds a fire with the last of the kindling. "I miss him," Ariadne whispers.*
In the Normal Encounter:
*With a shout of joy, Ariadne lifts her hammer to the sky. "Wow, now that was exhilarating! We brought down Draknar the Mighty! We're bloody heroes!"*
2) Retreat back to the marshlands.