B7 & B8 (South Gate)

This encounter can play out differently depending on whether the party happens upon the ogres guarding this gate during their approach to the fort from the outside, or while exploring the fort's grounds from the inside.

If the ogres spot the party coming up the road to Fort Rannick, they begin raining javelins and arrows down upon them if they feel they have a clear shot. If this looks like it isn't deterring the PCs, they raise the portcullis and charge out over the bridge.

If the PCs encounter them within the keep, they don't bother trying to pin them down at range, and simply rush into melee to take advantage of their superior strength.

I suggest the following encounter for a party of five adventurers:

• Minktuck Kreeg
• 4 Ogre Skirmishers
• 1 Ogre Savage

Total: 2,550 xp (Level 10 Encounter)

The gate can be raised or lowered from the inside of the keep with little difficulty. Lifting it high enough that it can be walked under requires a DC 28 Strength check.

The sluice gate is its own obstacle, and a DC 20 Acrobatics check is required to slip through for medium creatures (followed by a DC 18 Strength check to dislodge the corpse at the end). See below for the sluiceway's stat block.

Stat blocks: