A wise man told me I should put a disclaimer about using AI art on the blog. I’ll make some fancy disclaimer later, but look…we don’t use AI art for our adventures, that you can find and purchase at our store at DrivethruRPG. There is ONE adventure that uses AI art which is Prince’s Slyth Hive, but otherwise, for all of our other incredible adventures, we much prefer to use real, human artists for all of our adventures. But yes–I use AI art for the blog…ok? Cause I’m cheap, lack the art skills, and wish to have some images for our 4 readers.

ALRIGHT—-Anyways, we licked our wounds at the battle field of some Verloren barrow mound. It was nice and quiet and I was able to check out this battle axe…yes, the one that smeared Ulden against the wall. It had runes on it, VERY balanced….and…well I love it. Turns out it’s magical with the inscription of Grathor’s Gift upon it. Double-headed axe suggests maybe Forest Dwarves made it. It can chop wood, but more importantly, it can cleave skulls!!

We started the discussion of what we planned to do…go back to see if Draven survived and try to do a rescue mission, or Veggiepeal wanted to go back to town. He seemed to like the idea of a bunch of Coppercore Oil (like Greek Fire) to use against the ogres. There is so many different types of oil out there though that would probably work better…I mean, there is Stonefire, Emberbane, Blazeblood, Hellpitch….ahh, just thinking about them all makes me miss Axeholme. The dwarves do so many things right…sigh.

Suddenly, a figure was noticed on the edge of the forest by my more perceptive companions. We hailed him, and it was a young lad by the name of Talon. I offered him drink and food and we shared news while we broke bread. We told him our story and he seemed interested in helping us! Seemingly having found a new companion, we decided to go back to the ogre cave.

Along the way, we heard noises and Izzy and Ulden went to scout. They reported back a camp of 5 ogres, apparently who were trying to track us. I wanted to move on to the cave to find Draven so we didn’t get hurt or use up resources, but the others wanted to take them out. So be it.

We set ourselves up, with the idea of using missile weapons before engaging. Sounded good to me! I got my trusted crossbow out and when we were ready, I started firing as fast as possible! The dim-witted ogres didn’t know what hit them…well, I mean I hit one, but the others were having some challenges (there were 3 rolls of a 1 on a d20 for attacks…ouch). I was content to just keep firing my bolts so I didn’t get hurt, but everyone rushed in. Even Yurin…Urine? I can’t remember the youth’s name, not even sure why we brought him, but he usually does decent taking care of horses and whatnot….but hells he was excited to fight. He used his bow next to Ulden and Talon and once the ogres got organized his group got charged. Ulden and Talon swiftly took off running to keep distance and to use their bows effectively. Yurin did not….the young lad stood there facing the charge of a fierce ogre!!

Well, Yurin got clobbered (don’t worry…he survives)….Ulden kept running and shooting, but he eventually got clobbered as well, but he lead another ogre towards Team Dwarf….and Talon, well…he can run well and sure, a few of his shots hit. Ghemel and I worked as a team, ya! Team Dwarf!….because we are dwarves and that’s what we do. We easily took down a few ogres and we were mighty proud of ourselves, until we saw Veggiepeal wiping his great 2-handed sword of ogre blood with 3 corpses around him…..show-off.

We did well! and we moved onwards to the cave. Izzy and Talon went off to scout. Izzy used his Dimension Door portal trick and kept throwing rocks at the dented shield near the cave…the ogre’s alarm system. Several ogres came to investigate, confused…and irritated. They seemed to discuss tactics with some strange looking ogre. Izzy said he looked like a witch doctor or something.

Talon searched for another entrance and climbed up into the cliffs. He had no luck.

With Izzy’s antics, the ogres started searching the forests and we decided to bail. We headed back to the 5-ogre death camp, eventually all of us catching up and we debated on what to do next.

Late that night though, our companion on watch spotted a torch in the dark through the forest. I can’t remember who woke me up, I was tired…but we decided to investigate.

As we bumbled our way through the dark…well…I should say everyone except Ghemel and I since we can see better in the dark…we finally found a small clearing with a raging bonfire. No sign of anything else. I signed “It’s a trap!!”

and my companions nodded…and then Ulden pointed out an ogre and suddenly there was a burst of action as ogres attacked and we scrambled in the dark.

Izzy was doing weird shit with his portals, fucking up ogres that were half-way through his magical doorways…Veggiepeal was doing the usual–laying the smacketh down! Ulden was moving and shooting as well as our new companion Talon. I shot an ogre as it closed on me with his HUGE spear. Alright boys, I ain’t going to lie….that spear impaled me something fierce and I could feel my life slipping away. Ulden came in like a raging…eagle? I mean, he is of the Eagle Clan…he squawked and stood beside me in defiance towards the ogre. I told him to get out of there…but he was all fired up and said something like “for honor!” I don’t get it…but got to admit, I was happy he was there because this ogre brought on the pain on both of us.

I called out to my god, Dhurn Kavok and I…what? you haven’t heard of Dhurn Kavok? The Black Blood of the Mountain? The Coalforger? The….ok..I could go on and on, but maybe easier for you to check out our Dwarf book we are creating for the Dragonback Mountain region full of kits and gods…should be done in a few months…and it’s very handy and helpful and…ok! whatever! I heal myself! Just in time because that ogre skewered me again!! I saw Ulden scream with rage as he attacked trying to defend me!

I started to collapse, darkness clouting my vision. Last I saw was Ulden attacking the ogre, defending me fiercely…perhaps he is an ok guy….and then I saw….the most magnificent forge!! A war machine was there half-built. I was so excited to work on it!!!

I woke up a few moments later the vision of glory and heaven rapidly fading, only to be intruded by Ghemel’s ugly mug….He healed me back to life….I think we won!

For now…