(Now that the Ape is properly distracted, Natasha tries to take advantage with her bow.)

Attack: 12 Damage: 6 + 5

Injured and surrounded by enemies the Ape howls in rage. Natasha takes advantage of its distracted state to shoot an arrow into its open mouth and out the back of its neck. The howl turns into a gargle as the Ape’s lifeless form falls to the ground.

Stone picks up the valve and the party returns to the airship. 

The Captain greets you all warmly. “Well, looks who’s back; my favorite adventurers! What do you have for me this time?”

Stone yells up at the Captain,

"We have retrieved your valve. Some ape ruffians were about to make away with it. That's 2 down and only 2 more to go."

Stone turns to his companions,

"If you guys are in satisfactory shape we should continue onward. It's possible that one of the other parts is also in danger of being pilfered. According to our original plan, I believe the net spot is to the South."

*grunt*

Penelope nods.

"I am able and willing, but after this venture we may need a rest. Just keep that in mind."

(Natasha follows the group south, always close to Stone.)

The party makes its way directly south. After a little while, you hear the sound of crying. Not that of a child, but of something much, much, larger. As you move closer to where the part fell, you spot an Ogre sitting on the ground and trying to smash pieces of wood together. He has tears streaming down his face.

”Ick sorry, Ick no mean to!” he wails.

Sitting on the ground just in front of the Orge is the Mithril Gear you need to fix the airship.

What do you do?

Can Penelope see/tell what the object is that the Ogre is trying to fix?

(Natasha motions to everyone to let her handle this. She walks up to the Ogre and turns on the charm.)

”Now why would a big, strong, handsome ogre like yourself be crying like this? I’m sure I can help you, if you let me.”

(She bats her eyes and uses her soothing voice.)

”Now, me and my friends here need this little piece of gear, so what do you say you let us take this, and Natasha helps you make it all better, ok?”

Persuasion: 24

The Orge’s face lights up when he sees the party, his massive smile reveals his yellowed teeth.

”Smart people! Help Ick fix!” he says excitedly and holds out the pieces of wood. “Ick give shiny if help!” and points to the gear.

The wood pieces are covered in messy, misspelled writing. “Ick love Blee, but Ick shy. Ick write letter, but get nervous and tear up. Now Ick not remember poem to rewrite. Help Ick!!!” He holds out the wood pieces while trying to hold back tears. You have never seen an orge cry and you’re not sure you want to see it now. “Help Ick fix poem for Blee!!” He drops the wood pieces in front of Natasha like it’s a puzzle to solve.

What do you guys want to do?

"Who is Blee?" Penelope asks moving closer to the two and peering at the words written on the wood.

Can she make out what it says? Investigation: 18

"If we know more about Blee we might be able to help you rewrite the poem large one."

Ick the Orge swoons. “Blee prettiest Orge in forest.”

He places the wooden pieces in front of the party. “Help Ick fix!”, he implores.

There are shreds of the poem laying on the ground, many pieces are blank and useless. Orges aren’t known for their penmanship, so simply putting the pieces together based on shape is impossible. These are the pieces you can read;

Ick Love Blee

It clere

Maek Ick

B with me!

2 c

Him fele 

4 her Ick rite

luv she

world brite

Pls Blee

She are

n hart

Cuz Ick

prity an smart

Ick can only remember that the first line of the poem was, “Ick Love Bree.” Will you help him reconstruct the poem?

Penelope hums looking over the pieces.

"Quite a lovely poem Ick. Not a writer myself but I think I've got it." Penelope arranges the pieces in this order.

Ick Love Blee

4 her Ick rite
Maek Ick
world brite
Him fele
n hart
She are
prity an smart
It clere
2 c
Cuz Ick
luv she
Pls Blee
B with me!

"There. Does that look like your poem Ick." She asks the large Ogre.

“Yes!! You fix!! You smart dragon lady!!!”

He throws his arms around Penelope and gives her a big bear hug. When he lets her down he points to the Mithril Gear. 

“You get shiny! Ick get Blee!” 

He carefully picks up the pieces of the poem and happily runs off to the south, leaving the party with the Gear. Penelope is easily able to carry the part back to the airship. When you return to the ship, the Captain calls out to the group.

”How are you all holding up? You’ve been at this for a few hours already, do any of you need to rest for a little bit?”

Penelope pats the ogre on arm as he hugs her.

"Farewell Ick! I hope you and Blee work out!" Turning back to the group.

"Well it was quite nice to meet someone who didn't want to harm us. Such a nice ogre. I do hope he succeeds in winning his love's heart." She says giving them a toothy smile.

Back at the airship.

"I am well Captain, though I wouldn't mind taking a short rest now if you all don't."

Everyone who wants to take a short rest, roll your hit dice to regain hp.

(Natasha's going to sit back and relax. No need to spend a hit die, since she hasn't been touched.)

Stone compliments Natasha and Penelope on handling that Ogre.

"Natasha, your bravery in approaching that Ogre was commendable. I'm glad that the captain didn't throw you in his brig for stealing my stuff, although he clearly had jurisdiction to do so. And Penelope, your courage and quick wits not only helped us retrieve the gear, but also helped that hulking citizen find happiness. You ladies should be proud of yourselves."

Stone declines a nap and instead remains watchful of the surrounding Forrest.

"Kudos on that Ogre handling, ladies. Nicely done."

OOC: I'm only down one HP, so this roll is pretty useless, but i'll make it anyway and take the bandaging :)

8

HP:1

"Thank you, it's nice to fine a use for all that time reading romantic novels. Wish the library back home had a larger collection."