Peri:

As the huge worg crashes into Dwal, Peri rushes toward it and thrusts his sword at its side -- attack 24 for 1 + 3 necrotic damage -- then attempts to kick it in the chin -- [Tooltip Not Found] 14 for 6 + 3 necrotic. 

In a blurred flurry of blades, Gerrard lands two of his strikes deep into the ogre. It roars in pain, staggering and stumbling and bleeding profusely. It looks quite seriously wounded.

Simultaneously, Peri swings his short sword into the flank of the massive wolflike beast. The worg, already seriously injured from its earlier encounter with Gerrard, is barely on its feet with this new wound. (OCC Why is Peri's damage 1d10 rather than 1d6+3?)

Qivys and Dwal may go next.

Dwal

Taking no chances Dwal will fire off his last 1st level slot and cast Magic Missile at the Ogre.

1st missile: 5

2nd missile: 5

3rd missile: 5

Dwal fires three powerful, glowing missiles searing directly into the face of the ogre, killing him instantly. The force of the missiles sends the giant sprawling flat onto his back, white smoke spiraling from his face.

Qivys is up.

 Qivys

With the ogre down and out he swings his now glowing hammer at the worg.

Attack: 13 Damage: 7 + 3

((Sorry for quick post. At work, but wanted to keep the momentum for you guys))

((Is it me or the crit didn't calculate properly?))

(Roll looks okay - just two terrible rolls! But no matter...)

Qivys' hammer flares white hot as he slams the beast with one massive blow. The beast is instantly crushed dead. To add insult to injury, its body catches fire from the heat of the searing hot hammer. It smolders and crackles in the murky morning light.

Combat is over. 

Gerrard:

Breathing heavily, Gerrard looks around at the scene of the battle.  It was so quickly done, and his comrades were all still alive!  Looking at the body of the ogre before him with its wounds both magical and physical, Gerrard raises his left wrist to his mouth and chokes down a bit of bile that was rising in his throat.

"That was terrifying...and a bit exhilarating, as well.  Is it always like that?" asks the skillful but untested noble swordsman.  Cleaning off his blades on the rough clothing of the brute, Gerrard sheathes them and looks to see if the ogre was carrying any of his stolen possessions on him.

Investigation:  5

Peri:

Peri looks over the two dead beasts, then looks around the battlefield, searching for goblins or other foes. Perception 11  "That does seem t' be the way of it -- a few seconds of confusion and then the survivors pick over the bodies.  The guard was payin' for the goblins, I wonder if there's a bonus for these two?" 

((OOC:  That should have been 1d6+3; i just got so used to whiffing on eldritch blasts I was on autopilot.  Also, what proof were we supposed to bring back to the Guard to collect our reward?))

Gerrard:

”I wonder what he was after in that group of rocks over there,” muses Gerrard, adding, “It may be worth checking into on the way to the cave.”

Turning to look at Peri, he says, “You and your crew of heroes are quite capable, Master Fenwader.  Do you have a name for your group that it is known by?  Something rakish and flashy, perhaps?”

Qivys

Playing up Peri's "leadership" for fun, Qiv chimes in with "Oh mister Gerrard, our little group goes by Peri's Particularly Peculiar Posse of Philandering Paupers. Isn't that right Master Peri" He barely holds it together as he lists as many P words as he knows. "And yes, the thrill of battle is usually quick and painless, well, I guess that depends what side your on. But the glory of a battle well caught, that lives on for an age." His attention is drawn back to the boulders as Gerrard contemplates the group's name. "Aye, I think we ought check it out before resting for too long." He heads towards the outcrop, hammer held firmly and still glowing.

You are on the southeast edge of the roughly oval clearing. The cave that Gerrard escaped from is roughly 150 feet northwest, on the north edge of the clearing, at the bottom of a small rocky summit, hidden among rocks and thin scrub. The jumble of boulders that the ogre seemed frustrated with is on the west side of the clearing, about 200 feet to your west. There is no sign of activity anywhere.

Gerrard searches the ogre and finds nothing. It was wearing some crude hide without pockets, and carrying a couple of big sticks - nothing else.

Peri recalls that the Saltmarsh town guard had offered a reward to track down and deal with the goblin ambushers, and return the stolen goods (a load of produce and an unknown cargo for Winston the shopkeeper.) There was no specific discussion of proof, although you presume they would require some.

Dwal

Dwal smacks Qivys in the back of the head with an open hand, "Don't encourage Bumblefoot!" he says and shakes his head. 

Dwal follows Qivys "Got to be careful with ogre holes. All manner of rotted meats scattered about and full of disease. If we find something worth while we'll have to make sure its clean so as not to catch anything form it." he states.

"We ain't got a name so far" Dwal calls to Gerrad. "But we do have a place to stay and a job to do once the smuggler ship is spotted." he says as he walks on. 

Peri:

"We haven't officially adopted the name; it's more of a placeholder. But I do like the sound of it, even if the "Philandering" bit is more aspirational than descriptive." He follows the dwarves toward the boulders. 

Gerrard:

Somewhat overwhelmed by the banter, Gerrard says, “That’s quite an...uh...descriptive name.  ‘Peri’s Posse’ seems like it might be a bit easier to remember.”  Gerrard starts walking over to the clump of rocks to see what might be hidden there.

You make your way across the uneven clearing toward the jumble of boulders on the west, through tall dead weeds, chunks of weathered stone, and patches of dead brush. (It's only a "clearing" in the sense that it is clear of trees or tall scrub.) Peri finds a patch of mandrake, a hallucinogenic, the root of which can be used by powerful wizards to summon a homunculus, he's recently read. Dwal notices that some of the larger stones appear worked - there is evidence of very ancient ruins here.

As you approach the boulders (at least one of which looks like a segment of an ancient column), Peri's sharp ears pick up a faint scratching sound from within.

As you approach closer, you see a black gap between two massive slaps - a deep hole or crevasse, perhaps 12 or 14 inches wide, and maybe eight feet long.

Gerrard:

"Hmm, not much to see here, though there is that hole that must be what the ogre was after," muses Gerrard.  "Hello, anyone in there?  The ogre is gone," says the young noble in the direction of the hole, not expecting much.

If nothing responds, Gerrard will say, "I suppose we should just head up to the cave and get my items.  Who knows, there might be some other treasure there or even a clean water source so I can get this ink out of my hair."

Peri:

"We've had an exciting few days, but I'm not sure I want my name tied to this bunch of miscreants. Truth is, we've no leader because we've only just met a coupla' days ago.  S'far as battlefield experience, you've just witnessed my third real fight -- maybe fourth, dependin' how you reckon it?  I was just pokin' fun at Dwal.  He's a good one, but a bit of a sourpuss.  Just before we were ambushed, I was drivin' the cart and --"  Peri stops prattling and freezes, listening to the scratching from the jumble of stone.  "Y' hear that?  There's somethin' diggin' around under there."  He quietly follows the sounds, attempting to discover the source.  Very softly, he calls toward whoever or whatever is making the noise, "Psst, anyone alive in there?  The ogre's done for, and the worg too.  You're safe to come out if you can get out."

The scratching stops. "Who's that?" you here a voice echo from below. The gap is clearly deep, and must open into a big dark space. Neither Gerrard nor Peri can see anything in the blackness.

Gerrard:

Somewhat surprised at the response, Gerrard falls back on his training.  Wearily but politely, he says, “Greetings, mysterious voice.  Allow me to introduce to you Master Fenwader, nominal leader of our impromptu crew.”

OOC:  Trying to get Peri advantage on his Persuasion roll.

"Ogre and that wolf gone? Good! Throw me a rope, Fenwaster!" calls a confident, high-pitched voice out of the darkness.

(With Gerrard's introduction, Peri may have advantage if he wants to persuade the voice.)