The party springs into action. With fury and madness in his eyes, Borin leaps into the cave, neatly slicing a would-be attacker in half with his great axe. He then continues his full swing and feels the crunch of bone and tear of flesh, as the second goblin also falls to the ground in a heap. Kalina and Morgaine rush to Gemma’s side, to staunch the blood gushing from the gashes in the ranger’s torso. Morgaine musters her limited first-aid skills to pack Gemma’s wounds while Kalina concentrates on the pine boughs in her hands. Feeling the natural energy of the healing tree surge through her body, Kalina waves the branch over the nearly lifeless form on the ground. Light pours from her fingertips and the pine needles fall lightly onto Gemma’s wounds, forming a lattice that covers the holes and mends the punctures left by the crossbows. Groggily, the elder woman opens her eyes and gratefully nods her thanks to the younger druid. Gingerly, Morgaine and Kalina help her to her feet. She seems to be shaken but no longer injured or weak. Kalina thanks the tree for its assistance and tosses the branch to the wind.
From somewhere deep inside the cave, several party members he the faint echo of a lone wolf, crying a howling lament. Deke hides the bodies of the goblins then cloaks himself in the shadows of early evening. His companions have already resumed their ambush out of sight. Several tense seconds past as the baying gets louder and closer. Although light is diminishing rapidly, no one in the party has trouble noticing the horse-sized wolf loping out of the cave entrance leading an 11-foot ogre carrying its chain. Both dog and master are ripe with fleas, reeking of a foul stench that brings tears to the eyes of anyone within several feet. Having taken care to be upwind of the creatures, the group uses the full surprise of the ambush to their advantage.
Still hidden and out of range, Marja casts two magic missiles into the chest of the mangy beast. It yowls in pain as the glowing globes penetrate its flesh. Gemma rapidly loads two arrows from her quiver and shoots each into the flanks of the hulking canine before either the ogre or the wolf can react. Morgaine quickly follows with a Melf’s acid arrow, the phosphorescent weapon materializing in the night air and hurtling into the wolf’s chest. One last crossbow bold from Borin puts the creature out of its misery. As the beast falls over, the ever-reticent Gemma alights at the cave entrance and commands “Stay!”
Kalina once again summons the forces of nature to do her bidding as she calls upon the wisdom of the ancient philosophers and the Earth Mother herself. Just as before, Salomar’s quiet contemplation gives the ogre pause to stop and reflect on the futility of life’s struggle. In a vain attempt to negotiate a pact, the ogre solicits friendship from the party. He offers treasure and fresh meat. What he procures is the business end of Borin’s axe, Fergus’ sword, Gemma’s arrows, Kalina’s scimitar, Xenia’s club and Deke’s rapier.
No sooner has the group slain the pensive ogre than six goblins emerge from the dark depths of the den, courageously defending their home. Twelve seconds later, the lone remaining warrior runs screaming into darkness beyond, Borin and Xenia in hot pursuit. The remaining group members hear the echoing shout and subsequent thuds when their headstrong companions miss a trap in the dark and land in an 8-foot pit. Cackling wildly, the goblin drags a large urn to the edge of the basin and attempts to pour oil down the side, hindering their efforts to climb out. Cautiously making their way through the passageways, en route to assist Borin and Xenia, the party follows Deke’s lead to avoid the same traps.
The goblin shouts taunts to his captives below. Yet since neither Xenia nor Borin speaks goblin, the gibes are ineffectual. Too busy gloating, the goblin does not see Borin grab the club from Xenia’s pack and raise it above his head. Nor does he note Borin’s sudden growth or his shout of rage. When the 10-foot Borin-ogre brings the club down on the goblin’s head, however, the splat can be heard throughout the cavern. He then lifts Xenia out of the hole and calmly puts the club down. “Hate being laughed at,” he growls, sinking to the ground to await being hauled out by the others.