Inhabiting Verongorn Keep (open)

[Gauls]

Brghtng 3, Cycle 1, Month of Kalendryas, in the Season of Winter,
Era I of the Celestine Mandate,
Era XV Post Fractum

The ringing of axes, the falling of trees, and the constant patrolling and harassments of not just the Imperial but also the orkish patrols north of Autumnus in the Sheradine Cosmopolis have caused most people and creatures alike to abandon their homes and hunting grounds to allow the battles and skirmishes of the opposing forces play out. The humans and other good folk of the northern Sheria border region have fled north into the Imperial lines and the dark races that were on the Imperial's list of races to kill on sight moved south into the orc's lines. There were some creatures however that avoided both lines all together heading eastward up into the mountains to weather the storm of war. One such tribe that was removed from their lands after losing a couple of their tribal members to an Imperial patrol was that of an Ogre tribe.

Usually, one would see the huge beasts marching into battle but this tribe was first forced to find a suitable living space to house their women, children, and elders before they could turn their attention to retribution. The tribe had 100 males that were far ahead of the rest of the tribe climbing the foothills of the Khardran Mountains heading up into the mountains themselves. Here, they hoped to find a place that would secure the tribe while the males tried to evict the trespassers on their lands below.

The ogres were all towering beasts none of which were under 8 feet tall. Many were as tall as 11 feet. Thick brown skinned bodies with dark brown hairy arms and chests were left uncovered except by the capes they wore. The capes were nasty, smelling things that were actually made of the skins of fallen comrades. The pants of these beasts were made of the same thick ogre skin that the capes were made of. This ogre skin was equivalent to hardened leather armor. Some of the males wore bracers made of the same ogre skin. The pants only went down to their knees and none of the beasts wore boots or shoes of any kind. The hands and feet of the ogres were too large to fit any common items like shoes or gloves anyway.

The creatures hefted around large war hammers. The heads of these hammers were made of stone lashed to a very thick wood shaft. A few of them had Great swords slung across their backs and due to the size of the ogres, made the swords look like a common length sword. The true size of these swords would only be apparent when they were drawn and presented to an enemy.

The band climbed up and up until the minor foothills became mountain sides. It was necessary for the ogres to use both hands at times to assist in climbing. This was the steepness of the climb. It was difficult but also would make a good defensive terrain. The ogres grunted and gurgled to each other in an apparent unknown language as they climbed and were aware that they were in good ground to found their new home.

[Gauls]

The first ogre climbed up and over a ledge and spotted it. It was a small flat partial plateau where the edges of the plateau fell off steeply. Those edges were lined by rocks and larger boulders that formed a sort of parapet or battlement around the plateau. The plateau itself was divided by a rock face that shot straight upward several hundred feet and took up about half of the plateau area. Seemingly built into the rock face itself was a solid stone keep. It was not too overly adorned in any stone carvings or other decorations and in fact looked to be deserted for some time. The huge rusted iron gate used to draw straight up into the gate itself but now seemed to be stuck in the up position half way drawn.

The site itself way up in the Khardran Mountains seemed to be the perfect natural defensive position. Though the keep was obviously man made, the surrounding plateau and parapet around the edges made it seem like a siege engineer had designed it instead of nature.

As each ogre climbed onto the plateau, they were obviously impressed. Some looked over the sides to see how far down it was and others began to investigate the keep itself. They had first noticed that there were two paths leading down from the plateau, one on the back side of the plateau behind the keep and the other to the right of the keep (when looking at it). Looking down the paths they curved different directions and disappeared around corners so it was not clear how long the paths were or where they ended.

[Gauls]

Not meeting any resistance, the ogres were convinced that they had stumbled upon a long forgotten keep. The best possible place that they could ever hope to find for their tribe. Grumbling to one another in their ogre speak, one ogre turned and started his way down the mountain. He was on his way to send word to the rest of the tribe. Soon, this whole keep would be swarming with ogres.

The ogres set to establishing a camp. Rocks and boulders were piled up at both of the paths leading up to the keep creating a funnel from the outside parapet onto the plataeu surrounding the keep. They were narrow openings barely wide enough for the ogres themselves to squeeze in. This was a simple way to ensure that if anyone did try to get onto the plataeu they would have to come single file through the funnels.

Next, groups of ogres were sent down the mountain to start bringing upwood that could be used to fortify the position, make shelters, and a fire. Investigations into the keep itself were being conducted by the shorter 8ft tall orges to clear out any squatters that might be inside. If there were any, they'd make a great meal.