Ogre (Warrior, Glutton, Boss)

The description given in the bestiary for the Ogre is decidedly unflattering. Brutish, violent, incestuous, and filthy, they are perhaps the most damningly painted sentient creatures in the book that aren't evil planar outsiders. That's not to say there is nothing to be said for ogres, as they have been a staple of fantasy gaming and literature for a long time; one could argue that ogre-like beings can be traced back well before the origin of the word (from Wikipedia, derived from the French spelling of Orcus).

I think then that the three ogres present in the first bestiary are quite representative of the primal fears that we associate with the creature: large, violent, prone to trying to eat you. Definitely appropriate for sharing a name with the Etruscan God of the Underworld—we'll definitely be coming back to that soon.

The Warrior, Glutton, and Boss are all very simple with a few things to differentiate them beyond the basics such as the level difference—something that is definitely indicative of their relative lack of subtlety or tactics. The glutton, which can attempt to both bite and swallow its enemies, is definitely the most evocative and unsettling. I can't really think of many more gruesome images than trying to cut your way out after being Swallowed Whole by one. The boss can use Bellowing Command to quicken ogre allies, making the weaker ogre warrior more of a threat. On the part of tactics, I think that it's entirely reasonable to say that the ogres won't have much in the way of them. Should you find a combat that you set up to be too difficult, it's not entirely unreasonable to say that without the strong leadership of a Boss, the other less powerful ogres will fall into troublesome quarrels, allowing for a more attainable win.

However you use the ogre, consider also how you might both play into and subvert tropes of the brutish ogre. A cunning but reasonable adversary, a gentle but frightening countenance, or a largely peaceful but defensive ogre clan can all serve up some interesting narrative opportunity in lieu of outright to-the-death combat.

- Reece

Hook 1 (Max) - Off the Hook

The Meathook is a well-known butchery; the chow is of the best quality and people come from far and wide to get even the smallest taste of it. A local noble—now advanced in age—wishes for one final meal procured from The Meathook's owner: a wyvern steak he ate many years ago. The man is willing to compensate anyone willing to deliver the goods or, better yet, convince the butcher to come to his keep and cook this very special dish for him.

The shop is set up in a peculiar place deep within a dark wood far off any well-trodden track. The sight it represents would not bring to mind a world-famous craftsman either, as it is more reminiscent of a falling apart shack than a high-demand culinary eatery.

All of this, however, pales in comparison to the butcher himself, who is definitely not what people might expect.

Hook 2 (Reece) - Caught Between Two Worlds

Normally, the Woodstrider Giant Clan and the Hukari Ogre Warband stay far from each other as past clashes have resulted in devastating losses for both groups. This usually would not be a problem, as the Nagandi Run—a vast and untamed wilderness in the newly colonized continent of Ukandar—is an enormous expanse of ancient forests, hilly grasslands, and forgotten swamps. When the High Elven Kingdom of Sheila'nagari and the human Republic of Kith both settled on opposite sides of The Run, territory became both more important and more scarce. For their part, the Kithians tried to enforce their laws upon the Hukari, namely the preventing of bloodsport and dueling. For their part, the High Elves thought the nomadic lifestyle the Woodstriders led to be uncivil. Their solution was to attempt to forcibly settle the clan, something they were more than resistant to.

As the Woodstriders and the Hukari are each pressed into the ever-shrinking inner wilds of The Run, they are put at odds with each other and the colonial powers that are much larger than they. Other peoples that call The Run home look to both giants and ogres alike, hoping that they might overcome their differences and push the invaders back. The much smaller population of wood elves, hillock halflings, and the human Deekma nation all wonder, can it be done?

Hook 3 (Liam) - The Unsatiable

Gluttony, habitual greed, the desire to consume all that surrounds, the docks of Tarrae embody the very essence of this ravenous nature. Petty boardwalk gangs clash, devouring each other, ownership of the port never settling as individuals instinctively consume and be consumed. Such is the life of Tarrae, for its appetite is never satisfied.

However, this perpetual feeding frenzy has been thrown into disarray, an invasive species into the delicate ecosystem, its hunger more ravenous, more ferocious, more gluttonous. It seeks to devour all that inhabit Tarrae be it money, power, courtesans, or flesh itself. A title spoken only in whispers. An individual that encapsulates the essence of Tarrae itself. The Ogre.