Chapter 1: Exodus

Between the rope and the icy platforms Phu creates, you are able to get the wagons across the stream without incident. You resume your journey on the far side.

Dark clouds have begun to gather in the skies as the day wears on. They rumble ominously, foreshadowing a powerful storm to come. A slow drizzle quickly turns into a deluge as heavy rain pours down and the rumble becomes a roar as thunder booms! Lightning crackles and flashes in the clouds. You need to find shelter, and quickly!

Phu wracks his brain, but is unable to recall the terrain enough to suggest a good place for the caravan to hole up. The effort distracts him from his surroundings, though, and he finds himself struggling a bit to navigate the terrain as the ground gets muddy and treacherous.***

Ezail keeps his eyes peeled. There, in the distance! He spies a large cave opening under a rocky outcropping that is big enough to provide the whole caravan with shelter from the storm.

Unfortunately, as you get closer, it becomes clear that the cave is occupied. Two hulking cave ogres and their pet bear emerge! The ogres howl and stomp their feet as they raise massive clubs, and the thick-furred bear growls and bares its teeth and claws!

The chaotic magic burns the ogres, wounding both of them badly! In response, the giants fly into a rampaging fury, stomping towards you with murderous intent!The bear lopes forward, getting into melee range of the biggest target: Aguz! The ogres wade into your midst, swinging their clubs indiscriminately. Aguz manages to avoid harm, but the rest of you take hits, especially Chiara, who is pummeled with bone-crushing force!

Phu's magical blast further wounds an ogre. The bear rears up before Aguz, attempting to bite him, but his armored body proves too tough for its teeth!