The mid-morning sun shines bright on a bustling city. Walls of white, solid stone. Forty-feet high, with guards in leather armor patrolling between parapets and inspecting massive ballista, there is life. People of all kinds moving about the streets, going about their business. A mass of humans, halflings, and the odd devilish teiflings or rarely seen half elves patrol the brick-lay walkways. The bustling of voices talking, bartering, laughing, and arguing is accented by the sound of the odd street performer promoting his musical talents for the odd coin thrown his way. Nobles in fine silks and brightly colored hats walked among fountains and gardens or shouted about matters of nobility and money. The docs rang with the sound of trade ships laden with foreign goods coming into port. Hunters and butchers hang up hides and display choice cuts of meat, as children run and play, with dreams of being powerful wizards or dragon-slaying paladins. Back-alley corners ripe with matted and filthy beggars, or the odd prostitute in sultry clothing attempting to attract new clients. The life of a city.

            This is the city of Iroas. The Capital of a powerful human nation by the same name. It is a holy nation, whose people are deeply connected to their gods through the Church of the Sun. With many a citizen wearing a symbol of one of the three Deities of the Church. Not to mention lots, and lots of guards.

Outside the Candied Apple stood a wooden carriage. It was drawn by two large draft horses, and laden with supply crates and barrels. Inside of the barrels were bottles of wine, foods, and finer clothing kept padded by straw. Kara Marsh stood with her party, speaking with Joshua el Rizen for what she hopped to be the final time. “Thanks for setting this up, Joshua.” She tried her best to thank him, without sounding cold.

“No need for thanks, my dear. It’s just business. This carriage Will take you out of Iroas and all the way to Red Wake. You’ll have to hide in the empty barrels to get past the guards at the main city gates. Remember, once you get outside those walls-.”

“We’re on our own.” Kara cut the rich smuggler off. “I know. Let’s just hurry this up.”

“If you’re ever in the city again, look me up. I might have work for you, Ms. Marsh.” The fat man grinned as the party departed. Kara and Grukk got into their own barrels no issue. Boris needed some convincing. While he could fit in the barrel, his large frame would make it a rather cramped fit. It took a little persuading from Alydrezea to get him to stuff himself inside that barrel. The druid, herself, used her druidic arts to change form into a small spider, and hide among the straw in a crate of wine. The supply carriage jerked, with the barrels bumping into one another as the driver got the horses moving. It wasn’t long before they stopped. The whole party was aware. They were at the gates, and soon the guards would be inspecting the cart. From their tight hiding places, they could not see, and could just barely hear what was going on. Then, a truly worrying sound was heard. The sound of an iron crowbar opening a nailed down wooden lid. Someone was cracking open the crates. Kara and Grukk began to sweat. The only thing hiding them were the lids of the barrels, and if they were opened, they would likely be arrested again. They couldn’t talk to each other; these were plain old wooden barrels. They couldn’t mask the sound. Another disturbing sound. Some of the crates were being lifted off the carriage. Kara began to fear for the worst. What if they guards decided to be thorough in their searches today? What if they were planning to open and investigate every container one by one?! The thief moved her hand to grip the hilt of her dagger. Ready to surprise the guards and make a run for it when they got to her. The cart jerked once more, the remaining barrels and supply crates bumping into each other. The creak and sigh of wooden wheels turning and the clip clop of horse hooves on the road. Kara let go of her dagger with a sigh of relief. So began the long journey to Red Wake.

The road was long indeed, it was not far from the city when the roads turned to simple dirt and mud trails. The barrels the party hid in were constantly jittering and bumping into one another. Knowing they were outside, the noise was punctuated by Boris, Grukk, and Kara, all complaining and telling one another to be quiet. The carriage driver was well aware they were there. After all he was under Josha’s employ. The old man just rolled his eyes at their bickering and ignored them. It was hard to tell how much time had passed since they lift the city, but it wasn’t long before they ran into even more trouble. The draft horses brayed and neighed loudly! The carriage jerked to a hard stop, causing Kara’s barrel to topple over, falling off the carriage and rolling a good distance before smacking into something hard! The barrel cracked against the impact. The thief had the wind knocked out of her, but she wasn’t injured. She opened the barrel lid and peaked out at the unpleasant sight.

The carriage was turned over, supply crates and barrels scattered about the road. Her own barrel had crashed into a road-side tree about fifteen feet away from the road. One barrel was turned over and seemed to be moving. Boris must have been turned upside down because she saw Grukk fumbling to get out of his own hiding barrel and couldn’t see where the drow lady was. It was just past mid-day based on the sun. No doubt it wasn’t kind to the underdark woman. But what was most concerning, was the cause of the wreckage. Three large creatures, nearly ten feet tall. Fat and rotund, with sloping foreheads and large tusks. They walked upon thick legs, wore matted loin cloths and were tearing apart one of the horses and the carriage driver with their muscular and powerful arms.

“Ogres. Of course, why make things smooth sailing now?” Kara huffed to herself. She stayed low to watch and consider her options. The monsters had not yet seen her. Now was the perfect opportunity to run. Between the horse, the driver, and the rest of the party she would have plenty of time to escape into the woods. No. She wouldn’t survive long. Not on her own. Leaving them to be eaten alive…her eyes softened, and she gritted her teeth. Quietly moving wide past the wreckage, she went over to assist Grukk, shuffling him out of the barrel. “There. You have your weapons?”

The half-orc pulled out his longsword and shield. He already spotted the ogres. “Want me to take care of those guys? They sort of ate our ride.”

“I noticed. Listen, I have to help get the others. You keep those ogres distracted. We’ll help soon.” With the new orders, Grukk charged into battle against the three lager monsters. His charging war-cry caught their attention, and the moved in to crush this new morsal.
“Look, brothers. More food!” The ogres could speak. The common tongue, though not well versed was their grammar. Their voices were deep and guttural, and they growled and drooled more than they actually spoke.
“Is it orc? Me no like orc meat. Gamey.”
“You shut up! Food is food! See? Orc has weapon. Crush it first! Then, eat!” The ogres hoisted heavy tree branches as makeshift clubs, and they lumbered towards Grukk with hungry eyes.

Kara was at the barrel that held Boris. She could hear his muffled cries of protest. “Will you shut up? I’m try to help you, beef for brains!” By pushing her whole body into her, Kara was just barely able to push the barrel onto its side. “You might feel a little prick.” Jamming her dagger into the wood, she carved a hand sized hold into the side of the barrel. The barrel rumbled and cracked. With the weak point made by Kara, Boris used his immense strength to shatter the barrel completely, freeing himself! His bovine face held a very upset expression. The minotaur got to his feet. “Where is Drezea?”

The Rajan woman just pointed back to where Grukk was battling the three ogres. “We’ve got bigger problems right now!”

Boris spied the giant-kin and grunted. His iron glaive was among the wreckage. Kara was busy trying to think. “Alright. The druid said you could use magic, is that right?” Boris nodded. “Well then use some magic to help out Grukk and get your weapon! I’ll do that same!” The thief didn’t give the barbarian brute any time to respond before darting off to flank the Ogres. Already loading up a shot in her hand crossbow.
The minotaur grumbled and moved closer to the fray. Channeling magic through his hand and with a word spoken in the abyssal language, he let loose a bolt of crackling energy! It smacked into the arm of one of the ogres who let out a cry of surprise and pain.

“Oi! Look, brothers. Cow man! I think he threw hard rock at me!”
“You go smash cow man. We smash Orc!” The Ogre that Boris had blasted began moving towards him. Before Grukk could react, he was slammed in the guts by the second Ogre! He spat up some blood. The third one slammed its large club into his shield. Grukk’s eyes spotted a crossbow bolt fired into the third Ogre’s neck. It seemed to catch the monster by surprise, as the large beast put his hand up to where the bolt was embedded into his neck with a cry of pain. The fighter saw his chance and slashed at the leg of the now wounded brute! A splash of crimson red following his strike.
By now, the first ogre had made its way over to Boris. Its massive bulk stood between the minotaur and his weapon. Now he had to face this monster largely unarmed. Boris let loose another blast of dark eldritch energy, it scored a glancing blow on the ogre’s face. The beast didn’t stop, and it slammed its greatclub into Boris’ shoulder. The minotaur let out a cry of pain, the party’s own resident brute had his own surprise in store. His eyes lit up with infernal energy and with a gesture the Orge that had just bashed him was engulfed in flames! The simple ogre didn’t have time to react, his flesh burning as he was cloaked in bright red and orange flames! The spell lasted for only an instant, but the monster was still standing and glaring hateful eyes at the minotaur.

As the battle raged on, something shifted in the wreckage. The form of Alydrezea rose from a pile of straw and debris. Rubbing her head and groaning. Squinting under the sunlight. She let out a gasp, seeing the battle before her. “What the hell is going on?! Boris?! Boris!”
“Hey!” Kara called out from the tree line that flanked the Ogres by Grukk. The two brutes were battering the half-orc, but he still seemed to be in the fight. Kara let loose another bolt, focusing on the third Ogre, hoping to bring it down quickly. “Less talk, more fight rat-girl! Help out!”
The drow huffed at the name ‘rat-girl’ but still gave a nod. She was in between where Grukk and Boris were having their fights. Seeing the minotaur alone, she held out her hands to the ground, the were alight with druidic magic as she chanted a spell in the Elvish language. From beneath the first Ogre’s feet, grasping vines and roots sprang up, entangling the giant-kin. It growled and bellowed curses as its movement restricted.
Grukk continued his trading of blows with the ogres, but the bloody beating he had been taking up to now had taken a toll. The two brutes by him were sure they would eat half-orc meat today. Grukk took a deep breath, found his muscles relax and his heart rate lower. His bleeding slowed and his wounds partially healed as he focused his stamina on recovery. Having gotten his second wind, he smiled and slashed once more at the third Ogre. Mimicking Kara’s strategy of focusing down a single target. It was working too! The third monster had fallen to his knees. Seeing an opportunity, Grukk lunged forward with a surge of adrenaline and slice the Ogre’s throat! It fell down dead in the dirt.
Boris saw his opportunity as well. With his adversary tangled up, he moved and gripped his glaive from the ground. He let out a braying shout of rage, his pupils dilating and focused on the Ogre in front of him. He rushed, slicing at it with blade! The monster had had enough and broke free of the entanglement spell with his brute strength. Huffing and furious it brought its club down once more onto Boris, battering the barbaric warrior. Boris spat up a mouthful of blood, but he still stood. His rage was so great that he hardly felt the pain, but the wounds were very real. Alydrezea wanted to help but she hesitated, thinking.
“Don’t just stand there! Do something!” Kara screamed from the tree line.
“I can’t! It’s too bright out here I can’t see!” The dark elf clarified in a lightly panicked tone. Thinking quickly, she used her druidic magics once more and changed shape again. This time into the form of a gray wolf. She ran towards the Ogre that was battering Boris and clamped her jaws around its ankle. Blood trickled down her muzzle as her fangs sank into her prey. The monster was too bulky to knock down, but now it wasn’t a one-on-one match.

The party had gained momentum, and in a few more minutes the battle was over. Three dead ogres lay in the dirt road. The party, sitting down, exhausted and battered. Kara and Alydrezea were lucky. They hadn’t received any real injuries. The drow used the last of her magic to heal Boris, and her knowledge of medicinal herps to help out Grukk. The resident rogue was searching the dead carriage driver and found a small purse, with about 20 copper pieces in it. Next, she searched the bodies of the ogres. The only thing of any value she could find was a stone. It was large, weighing about five pounds. Inscribed on it was some sort of writing that she couldn’t recognize. What drew her curiosity, was the faint orange glow in the inscription. "Hey! Anybody know anything about weird rocks?"
Alydrezea poked her head up, "Me! I know things! Let me see!" She rushed over to Kara, eyes sparkled at the rock. She took it and looked it over. "It's magical!"
"Great." Kara expressed. "Now, what does it do?"
"Oh, I dunno." The drow said with a smile. Kara face-palmed and Grukk got up to see. His eyes lit up. "Incredible! That's the language of the giants! It looks like what I found in the books at the Ironian library." The half-orc spoke with an almost child like excitment.
Kara tapped her foot. "Is it at least worth anything?"
"Um, not exactly? It's only worth something to the right buyer. Or to a giant." Grukk clutched it carefully. "May I keep it?"
The thief waved it off, not interested in anything that niche. She searched the rest of the wreckage for anything useful. Alydrezea hopped over to Boris, who was busy taking an ogre tooth as a trophy.
Grukk stared down at the runic rock, and smiled.