A Rogue of Unusual Size

Moonlight wrapped the darkened manor house in its sweet embrace. The master of the house and his well paid staff slept soundly, secure in the safety provided by the magical wards guarding the grounds. Had there been a proper guard or even a pack of underfed dogs running the grounds some alarm might have sounded. As it was though, none were aware of the towering form huddled over the arcane marks. With a skill honed by experience that could only be gained on the road, the magical barrier began to unravel; its protective force dispating back into the multiverse.

With the enchantment gone, the eight foot plus thief sprang over the outer gate and sprinted up to the central home. Keeping to the shadows the great thief cursed the full moon shining down from above. The dim light weakened one of the giant intruders natural advantages, and given his target he needed every edge he could get. After reaching the central home the thief studied the wards protecting the many ornate stained glass windows. When they were fully understood he set about disassembling their magics so that he might finally get down to the heart of this night's business.

It took longer than he would have liked, but this strange fellow wouldn't turn away. Too much would be lost if he surrendered to the bastard's wishes. The gnome and human didn't give up despite the brute squad that was sent to dispatch them, Even the dwarf stood her ground until her legs could no longer keep their bloody balance. Now it was his turn. He wouldn't fail. He couldn't fail. True friends were a scarce commodity for the likes of him and the list had begun to dwindle too quickly for his tastes. No, he had to press on. Istus demanded he complete this task.

Stalking through the darkened halls the half-ogre's steps were silent as a mouse. Only the sounds of snoring and dripping water would be heard by the attentive guard, had they bothered to buy one. The hall was arched with an ornate mural detailing Mayaheine's Ascendance. The impressive painting stretched the length of the grand ceiling. The big fellow paused only a moment to take in the work of art that was impossible to steal. Rare classical Flan pieces decorated the halls and Baklunish vases worth thousands of gold each were resplendent in their perfection, still none of these valuables would be touched, at least not this trip through. Ahead of him was the smallish door he had been told of There is where Nox's Key was to be found, provided the bald witch was right.

As the criminal approached the door carefully, almost fearfully. As he studied it for possible traps placed by a paranoid owner a sleepy apprentice walked into the room as he attempted to sate a midnight hunger. Even before the sleep was fully out of his eyes a dagger a full two foot long flew from the half-ogre's oversized hand. The blade flew true striking the young man dead. Only a thud on the floor marked the fool's passing. The thief confident in his abilities retrieved the dagger and body. The boy would be stashed someplace down stairs, less likely someone would interupt him that way. As the smallish door opened it revealed a tight winding staircase barely six feet tall and less than three feet wide. As the giant sized criminal wedged himself down the steps he began to wonder why he hadn't chosen to become a proper alleybasher like his old man.

With his inner thoughts for torment the big fellow descended into the darkness that waited for his arrival..

''--- The true and proper beginning

of a half-ogre's bad day