"The Hook Mountain Massacre" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Turtleback Ferry

After stopping the Skinsaw Cultists in Magnimar, heroes will likely be directed by the Mayor of the city to investigate the goings-on near Turtleback Ferry as they've lost contact with the Order of the Black Arrows, a group of rangers securing the fort against evil forces.

A familiar face from Sandpoint, Shalelu, will have an emotional stake in matters and come along for the journey to the Hook Mountain Region. Another important point to note: the area is consistently getting rained upon and widespread flooding is rampant. Something must be amiss.

Answer: Cougar

Kibb is a noteworthy animal considering his appearance in the woods. An animal companion of Jakardros, a major figure in the Order of the Black Arrows, he'll actually be found in a trap set by the evil Graul Family, an ogrekin clan that's actually captured three Black Arrows and imprisoned them on their nearby farm. Allowing Kibb to go free and lead you there, if you can, will, possibly, give you the jump on the Grauls inside.

The biggest dilemma, likely, is getting the Black Arrows out of the barn and out of the grasp of a giant Ogre Spider, Biggin', who resides there.

Answer: Kaven

Once the Black Arrows are freed it will become apparent that they're the last remaining vestige of the forces stationed at Fort Rannick. Jakardros, who also happens to be Shalelu's father, vows to protect her once the Fort is reclaimed while Vale fights with honour. Kaven, however, is a traitor who, if discovered, will reveal his association with a nearby gambling ship known as 'Paradise' which sunk weeks earlier. With a Sihedron Mark tattooed onto his wrist, he's actually been giving intel to a charming woman who's been exercising her stranglehold on the area. If not secured, he'll flee.

Answer: Through a hidden series of caverns

Though it comes down to tactics taken on by the party, one logical way to reach the inside of Fort Rannick and fight the ogre forces from within is by sneaking in behind the waterfall on the nearby mountain and through a series of caves (leaded with Shocker Lizards) into the basement.

This will, however, bring the heroes face to face with the mastermind behind the whole scheme. There are many other ways of going about the process, of course, but Rannick's many halls, towers, and outlying structures will contain a number of ogres, many of whom are Barl Breakbones' strongest warriors from the Kreeg clan.

Answer: Lamia

Lucrecia, the woman responsible for spreading evil in the region via her gambling boat, 'Paradise', can be found in the basement of Fort Rannick running the show and, as it turns out, she's been the one charming Kaven into giving up valuable information. Depending on how anyone planning to retake Rannick reaches her, she may be able to escape and return to Barl Breakbones' side, but if she, like the earlier Lamia Matriarch (Xanesha, fought atop the Shadow Clock in Magnimar), falls, then it's all the better for protecting the local area.

As a Lamia Matriarch does, Lucrecia has a number of Enchantment-based spells like Charm Person and Ventriloquism; having a high Will Save will be beneficial.

Answer: Black Magga

As the rainwater continues to affect the local ecosystems, a nearby dam ends up getting damaged, allowing the horrible, evil outsider, Black Magga, to barrel toward Turtleback Ferry. While the party will likely arrive in time to protect the locals from the flooding, Black Magga is strong enough to wipe them out if it so chooses, and extra caution should be made to stay back from its horrible breath attacks. Black Magga will likely recede with the floodwaters after a short amount of time; it's just a matter of surviving.

Answer: Skull's Crossing

Built by the Runelord Karzoug and his followers to hold back the waters of the Storval Rise, Skull's Crossing is found further north of Fort Rannick and Turtleback Ferry. The rains of the region are actually destroying the dam, and adventurers looking to help the region would be wise to stop the place from being destroyed. Getting inside is the rough part though; the place is guarded by the Kreegs who did not hole up in Fort Rannick.

It's the heroes' choice; take the stairs or find another way in. Or, you know, find a way to flank.

Answer: True

If anyone manages to get into the control area of Skull's Crossing they'll no doubt find a darkened pool before coming across the panel containing the floodgate controls. This is where Grazuul lurks, waiting to pull unwary adventurers into the pool. Fighting with a trident or, depending on how the battle goes, his claws, the creature will regenerate if fighters let it, leading to a pretty lengthy battle.

After this, anyone passing through to save the region will be able to head into the room containing the Infernal Engines, open the floodgates...perhaps run into a long-waiting Pit Fiend imprisoned against his will...and stop the Storval Deep from breaking through.

Answer: Myriana

One possible direction to head after dealing with the Ogres of Fort Rannick is toward the Shimmerglens. Here, adventurers who've saved the Fort can pursue the mystery of the missing Commander -- Lamatar. As it turned out, he was in a relationship with the nymph of the Shimmerglens, Myriana, but she was killed by Lucrecia's ogres and left to haunt the region.

A Pixie will guide heroes through the bog to save his master, but the place is filled with threatening hauntings, much like Misgivings in the adventure path's second chapter.

When Myriana is finally met, she will insist on seeing her lover's remains or, else, commence battle. Lamatar, now a wight controlled by witches in Hook Mountain, can be fought as well.

Answer: False

When the adventurers finally reach the top of Hook Mountain, what they'll find is a slew of ogres, some threatening witch hags (who are actually causing the rains in the area), Barl Breakbones, the leader of the Hook Mountain Ogres, and a Stone Giant.

While it is, of course, optional to take out some of these opponents, many will fight to the death to protect their stronghold and Barl. Completion of the quest and fights here will send adventurers homebound to Sandpoint because, as it would seem, the evils that be have sent Teraktinus, a dragon, and stone giants to seek something out there. Can it be saved?