Afterwards

[Anastasia]

Jarem glances at the horses and keeps going, though Delaize lingers. "Either way," Jarem remarks, "Feel like going to see what the ash pile does?"

[Iron Dragoon]

'Onward, valiant knight.'

[Anastasia]

You reach the ash pile. Nothing immediately happens.

Ball is in your court here.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa inspects the pile and tries to send back to the voice that spoke to her earlier, 'Do you want me to add the gift to this pile?'

[Anastasia]

There is no reply.

Checking over the pile, it's a big pile of ash. You can tell there's a door behind it all, but you'd have to move it or plunge through it to reach it.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa attempts to move the pile with TK!

[Anastasia]

Easily enough done. The pile is moved, it is just ash after all. A doorway is beyond, waiting to admit you further.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa walks up and knocks!

[Anastasia]

The door opens.

"Finally," Jarem murmurs as ahead is...a big, smelly ogre with skin the color of gray ash. It looms and stares you down. Greasy, stringy hair is visible and it reeks of old smoke. It wears plate armor, dented but recently cleaned and polished. A half wiped away sigil can be seen, of a roaring fire. It speaks, wisps of black smoke coming from its mouth with every word. "Who are you and what do you want?"

Unneeded knowledge checks skipped since Alyssa can't fail them.

[Iron Dragoon]

"We've come to meet the new Archomental. I've brought a gift of warmth, made into ash. I'd like to speak to him about a group of invaders I've run into here on Ash."

[Anastasia]

"I know you. Alyssa," The ogre says, "Heard of you, the other human to." His gaze is narrow and yellow.

Jarem smiles and shrugs, "I do the will of the Red Knight. Fools don't know not to oppose it."

The ogre gives all of you a longer look, "What kind of invaders?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Cult of Shar. Hollowed out an area, destroyed the minds of Ash elementals, and had a couple Champions of Shar in the caverns."

[Anastasia]

"As I knew," The ogre says immediately, then narrows his eyes, "If you'd lied to me, you'd never see your precious sun again."

Delaize looks on, unimpressed.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "I contacted you. Why would I suddenly decide to lie?"

[Anastasia]

"I know your kind, human," The ogre holds up a finger, right in your face. Jarem smoothly steps forward and grasps his wrist, pulling the finger away.

"I know your kind, ogre," Jarem returns, "Don't put your finger in her face. Or you won't see your precious finger again."