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<blockquote data-quote="pogre" data-source="post: 1040371" data-attributes="member: 6588"><p>Episode 08</p><p>Trolling Along</p><p></p><p>The following morning the party discovered their new friend was gone.</p><p></p><p>“Where’s the trapper?” Gjord asked.</p><p></p><p>“I do not know. He was here on my watch,” Hilde answered. “His mule and skins are still here.”</p><p></p><p>“He could not have gotten far then,” Xerk stated. “Gjord, check for a trail.”</p><p></p><p>“There are a lot of footpaths heading out of here,” Gjord said. “It looks like he headed west, and he is trying to cover his tracks.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, that is interesting,” Hilde said.</p><p></p><p>“I’ve got some digging to do,” Gerhardt said.</p><p></p><p>The corpse did not take long to unearth from its shallow grave. Following a detailed inspection of the body the group could not determine what it was, but it certainly was not Half-Orc.</p><p></p><p>“Opheria be praised,” Inga stated. “I was beginning to fear it was Skully.”</p><p></p><p>“The question is: What now?” Hilde asked.</p><p></p><p>“We press on after Skullringer,” Xerk announced. “We’re too late to stop him from fighting the troll, but we can at least get some questions answered.”</p><p></p><p>“Agreed,” Gerhardt said.</p><p></p><p>…..</p><p></p><p>“Do you still see the Half-Orc’s trail?” Gerhardt asked.</p><p></p><p>“Aye, but there is something far more interesting on that hill over yonder,” Gjord answered.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0311_trolls_lair.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0311_trolls_lair_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>The troll was laired on a hill of ruins. The remnants of the coaches it had raided were scattered down the hillside. It seemed sluggish in the afternoon sunlight, lazily moving from one piece of shade to the next.</p><p></p><p>“Let’s have you set-up down below and pepper him with arrows, and when he comes down we’ll cut him up,” Gerhardt suggested.</p><p></p><p>“That’s madness,” Gjord quickly warned. “Look at the size of him.”</p><p></p><p>“We must outwit him,” Xerk stated. “A straight battle falls right into the Troll’s best suit. We must use our brains to outwit him.”</p><p></p><p>“I guess the Half-Orc is no loss on that account,” Gerhardt said with a guffaw.</p><p></p><p>“The same could be said of others,” Inga quipped, eyeing the fighter.</p><p></p><p>“What about a pit trap?” Gjord suggested.</p><p></p><p>“Not a bad idea, but it would take too long,” Xerk answered.</p><p></p><p>“We still have the trapper’s mule,” Inga started. “We could use it as bait.”</p><p></p><p>“There are bad omens around this troll,” Hilde said snapping out of a daze. “I have seen darkness about this creature.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s just gas. Trolls are notorious for it,” Gerhardt said.</p><p></p><p>Xerk stated, “I think Inga’s idea has merit. We plan an ambush using the mule. When the troll comes to eat the bait we all jump it from every side.”</p><p></p><p>…..</p><p></p><p>The ambush was set and all waited quietly for their quarry.</p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0312_troll_trap.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0312_troll_trap_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>“This is not going to work,” Gerhardt complained.</p><p></p><p>“Shhh, the troll comes,” Gjord scolded.</p><p></p><p>Like a great hound with its nose close to the ground the troll came sniffing toward the mule. Its size from this close was shocking and its smell was so putrid that Hilde forced back a gagging noise. The troll appeared ready to grab the mule, but it hesitated and just as suddenly began running towards Xerk.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0313_troll_comes_for_Xerk.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0313_troll_comes_for_Xerk_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>“Run Xerk!” Gjord called. The ranger stepped forward and let loose an arrow. The troll snapped its huge head around and refocused on the ranger. It loped at surprising speed towards outdoorsman.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0314_troll_after_Gjord.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0314_troll_after_Gjord_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>Inga and Quarion sprang forth from their hiding places and struck deep wounds into the troll.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0315_troll_flanked.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0315_troll_flanked_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>The troll ignored the attackers at its rear and blasted Gjord with double attacks from its fearsome claws. Gjord felt the blood running from his body and backed out of the combat, while Gerhardt dashed in to take the wounded ranger’s spot.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0316_Gjord_bails.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0316_Gjord_bails_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>Gerhardt was now taking the fury of the troll and it was clear he could not last long. Even with the multitude of attacks hitting the giant green beast it kept coming. Hilde launched herself into the melee to maintain the assault and bolster Gerhardt.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0317_Hilde_into_fray.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0317_Hilde_into_fray_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>The fury of the female cleric caught the troll’s attention. It grabbed Hilde with one of its massive claws, and then the other claw caught her on the opposite side. With massive strength the troll lifted Hilde into the air. Xerk, Inga, and Quarion struck the troll, but it was not distracted. In an instant the troll pulled and Hilde screamed as her arms were pulled from their sockets and her chest collapsed. The troll threw her aside like a rag doll.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0318_hilde_killed.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0318_hilde_killed_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>Inga in a rage cut the troll again and again and with twin blows she and Gerhardt knocked the beast down. </p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0319_troll_flanked_and_killed.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0319_troll_flanked_and_killed_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>Quickly they went about the savage work of cutting the monster to pieces and Gjord covered it in oil. A torch was set on the remains and a foul oily smoke began to rise into the air.</p><p></p><p>Xerk was bent over Hilde’s body.</p><p></p><p>“How bad is she?” Inga said coming to the cleric’s side.</p><p></p><p>Xerk looked up with eyes fogged over in grief, “She’s gone Inga. I’m sorry.”</p><p></p><p>Inga began sobbing. The rest of the group looked down and cried quietly. Except Gerhardt – he was striding towards the ruins the troll had laired in. There was a quiet anger in his stride, but he rummaged quickly through the junk on the hill. He set aside some bolts of cloth and other items of value.</p><p></p><p>Gjord finally made his way over to Gerhardt. “Gerhardt, we have plenty of time for this later.”</p><p></p><p>Gerhardt looked up meeting the ranger with his own steely eyes burning with anger, “That Half-Orc has a lot to answer for.”</p><p></p><p>Gjord realized this was the fighter’s way of dealing with his grief and left him to continue his search.</p><p></p><p>…..</p><p></p><p>The troll’s lair had contained quite a bit of loot and normally the passage home would have been a happy one for the group. This trip was different though. This time they were bringing home one of their own to be buried.</p><p></p><p>To be continued…</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="pogre, post: 1040371, member: 6588"] Episode 08 Trolling Along The following morning the party discovered their new friend was gone. “Where’s the trapper?” Gjord asked. “I do not know. He was here on my watch,” Hilde answered. “His mule and skins are still here.” “He could not have gotten far then,” Xerk stated. “Gjord, check for a trail.” “There are a lot of footpaths heading out of here,” Gjord said. “It looks like he headed west, and he is trying to cover his tracks.” “Well, that is interesting,” Hilde said. “I’ve got some digging to do,” Gerhardt said. The corpse did not take long to unearth from its shallow grave. Following a detailed inspection of the body the group could not determine what it was, but it certainly was not Half-Orc. “Opheria be praised,” Inga stated. “I was beginning to fear it was Skully.” “The question is: What now?” Hilde asked. “We press on after Skullringer,” Xerk announced. “We’re too late to stop him from fighting the troll, but we can at least get some questions answered.” “Agreed,” Gerhardt said. ….. “Do you still see the Half-Orc’s trail?” Gerhardt asked. “Aye, but there is something far more interesting on that hill over yonder,” Gjord answered. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0311_trolls_lair.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0311_trolls_lair_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The troll was laired on a hill of ruins. The remnants of the coaches it had raided were scattered down the hillside. It seemed sluggish in the afternoon sunlight, lazily moving from one piece of shade to the next. “Let’s have you set-up down below and pepper him with arrows, and when he comes down we’ll cut him up,” Gerhardt suggested. “That’s madness,” Gjord quickly warned. “Look at the size of him.” “We must outwit him,” Xerk stated. “A straight battle falls right into the Troll’s best suit. We must use our brains to outwit him.” “I guess the Half-Orc is no loss on that account,” Gerhardt said with a guffaw. “The same could be said of others,” Inga quipped, eyeing the fighter. “What about a pit trap?” Gjord suggested. “Not a bad idea, but it would take too long,” Xerk answered. “We still have the trapper’s mule,” Inga started. “We could use it as bait.” “There are bad omens around this troll,” Hilde said snapping out of a daze. “I have seen darkness about this creature.” “That’s just gas. Trolls are notorious for it,” Gerhardt said. Xerk stated, “I think Inga’s idea has merit. We plan an ambush using the mule. When the troll comes to eat the bait we all jump it from every side.” ….. The ambush was set and all waited quietly for their quarry. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0312_troll_trap.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0312_troll_trap_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] “This is not going to work,” Gerhardt complained. “Shhh, the troll comes,” Gjord scolded. Like a great hound with its nose close to the ground the troll came sniffing toward the mule. Its size from this close was shocking and its smell was so putrid that Hilde forced back a gagging noise. The troll appeared ready to grab the mule, but it hesitated and just as suddenly began running towards Xerk. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0313_troll_comes_for_Xerk.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0313_troll_comes_for_Xerk_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] “Run Xerk!” Gjord called. The ranger stepped forward and let loose an arrow. The troll snapped its huge head around and refocused on the ranger. It loped at surprising speed towards outdoorsman. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0314_troll_after_Gjord.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0314_troll_after_Gjord_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Inga and Quarion sprang forth from their hiding places and struck deep wounds into the troll. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0315_troll_flanked.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0315_troll_flanked_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The troll ignored the attackers at its rear and blasted Gjord with double attacks from its fearsome claws. Gjord felt the blood running from his body and backed out of the combat, while Gerhardt dashed in to take the wounded ranger’s spot. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0316_Gjord_bails.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0316_Gjord_bails_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Gerhardt was now taking the fury of the troll and it was clear he could not last long. Even with the multitude of attacks hitting the giant green beast it kept coming. Hilde launched herself into the melee to maintain the assault and bolster Gerhardt. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0317_Hilde_into_fray.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0317_Hilde_into_fray_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The fury of the female cleric caught the troll’s attention. It grabbed Hilde with one of its massive claws, and then the other claw caught her on the opposite side. With massive strength the troll lifted Hilde into the air. Xerk, Inga, and Quarion struck the troll, but it was not distracted. In an instant the troll pulled and Hilde screamed as her arms were pulled from their sockets and her chest collapsed. The troll threw her aside like a rag doll. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0318_hilde_killed.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0318_hilde_killed_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Inga in a rage cut the troll again and again and with twin blows she and Gerhardt knocked the beast down. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0319_troll_flanked_and_killed.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0319_troll_flanked_and_killed_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quickly they went about the savage work of cutting the monster to pieces and Gjord covered it in oil. A torch was set on the remains and a foul oily smoke began to rise into the air. Xerk was bent over Hilde’s body. “How bad is she?” Inga said coming to the cleric’s side. Xerk looked up with eyes fogged over in grief, “She’s gone Inga. I’m sorry.” Inga began sobbing. The rest of the group looked down and cried quietly. Except Gerhardt – he was striding towards the ruins the troll had laired in. There was a quiet anger in his stride, but he rummaged quickly through the junk on the hill. He set aside some bolts of cloth and other items of value. Gjord finally made his way over to Gerhardt. “Gerhardt, we have plenty of time for this later.” Gerhardt looked up meeting the ranger with his own steely eyes burning with anger, “That Half-Orc has a lot to answer for.” Gjord realized this was the fighter’s way of dealing with his grief and left him to continue his search. ….. The troll’s lair had contained quite a bit of loot and normally the passage home would have been a happy one for the group. This trip was different though. This time they were bringing home one of their own to be buried. To be continued… [/QUOTE]
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