As Kilink journeyed through the grasslands in search of the orcs, they were surprised at the unusual size and variety of the plantlife. In the areas they had all traveled through and lived in farther north, the vegetation had consisted of grasses, brush, sedges, and trees, but all of smaller size. Here, there were few trees, but the grasses, brush and sedges often grew to tremendously large proportions. On top of their horses, there were still many times that Kilink was hard pressed to see over the top of the tall thick blades of grass.
The journey was relatively uneventful, and after 8 days of riding and searching, they found a camp that Thjodolf said might be who they were looking for. Thjodolf urged the group to be cautious in their approach of the camp, and initial scouting of the area revealed a camp of a little over 400, with mostly orcs but some human and several gnolls as well.
Is there anything else you want to know before approaching the camp? If not, the stage is yours.
Monday, September 20, 2010
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"Now... who wants to lead off and go talk to them about enlisting their aid?"
ReplyDeleteNym looked at Beranhond and said nothing. She was beginning to regret this venture as she valued her head attached to her shoulders and most definitely didn't want to volunteer to lead the group into an Orc camp.
ReplyDeleteDarvin surveys the scene and then says, "I think it best that we don't march straight into the village. They have set up camp in a defensive position. It's likely they will be patrolling the outer edges as well. I think it best if we fly a flag of truce."
ReplyDeleteHe looks at his companions expectantly.
"Certainly, why don't you raise our flag then Darvin?"
ReplyDeleteTalthel notices that one of the tents is displaying the flag of the Order of Long Death.
ReplyDelete"It would be wise of us to be cautious. If the Order of Long Death is here, and we are thought of as enemies, they will not treat us kindly. Those monks are able to endure much pain, but we do not have their training. Be diplomatic."
Heeding his own and Talathel's advice, Darvin, cut a 4'X4' piece of his bedroll and attached it to a stick he found. "Everyone spread out. And keep your weapons holstered, but be ready." He instructed to his traveling companions. He slowly and cautiously approached the encampment.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as the flag was raised, 2 groups of orcs rose out of the brush from both sides of Kilink and advanced with weapons sheathed.
ReplyDelete"No fun! We wanted to shoot you full of arrows!" one of them says. The others nod their heads in agreement.
Seeing nobody in Kilink going for their weapons, one of the groups begins walking in front, and an orc gestures that the adventurers should follow. The other group falls in behind, and the procession begins to make its way through the encampment.
"Well, that would have been a massacre," Darvin said under his breath to no one in particular.
ReplyDeleteBeranhond hearing this muttered back. "Perhaps. I have ways to run and escape... but I don't think Tigrisclawu would have been able to follow as well."
ReplyDelete"That is what is important after all." Tigrisclawu said purringly as he wandered through the tall grass.
As he looked about the campsite Beranhond noticed that several unusual gods were represented in the vicinity.
ReplyDelete"Hopefully no one will use elemental fire on you to determine your purity Darvin, I am not sure if they would find anything." Beranhond whispered to tease Darvin.
Nym followed trying not to make any sudden movements or gestures that could be considered threatening. "This... this seems like a bad idea," she grumbled.
ReplyDelete"Just keep calm. We will be fine as long as we aren't aggressive towards them. Treat them as potential allies..."
ReplyDeleteTalathel was certain that his tone was unconvincing at best.
The adventurers continue their journey, eventually being brought before a particularly large orc wearing a chain vest and hard leather pants. He wore rings in both ears as well as in his nose and his left eyebrow, and had an impressive collection of scars covering his face and bared arms.
ReplyDelete"My scouts tell me you snuck up on our camp and spied on us and then raised the white flag. Are we at war with you? Are you here for trade? What is your business here?" The man's voice was gruff and hoarse, but he spoke very confidently.
Beranhond looked around and noticed that his companions decided that they didn't want to say anything.
ReplyDelete"We are seeking a war, but it is certainly not with you. We arrived here after traveling from the sword coast where a dark god and his allies have caused much damage to Baldur's Gate and led to the destruction of Waterdeep. We are here to seek your aid in removing this evil from the world."
The large orc seemed about to seriously consider what Beranhond had just said when the orc to his left, wearing a well-made half plate of armor, starting laughing very loudly.
ReplyDelete"You came all the way down here, to the Sharr, to ask a tribe of orcs for help fighting a dark god? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
At this point, Thjodolf jumped to Kilink's defense.
ReplyDelete"My friends not stupid! They know tribe is powerful, and not know where else to go. I say to come here. They come."
Thjodolf's outburst drew the attention of the leader, and he motioned for everyone to quiet down. "And who are you, half-breed?"
ReplyDeleteAt being called out by the leader, Thjodolf seemed to realize what he was doing, and looked around with feverish eyes, as if trapped. He looked cautiously at the leader, and then back to his new friends, asking with his eyes that they now come to his aid. He looked like nothing more than a very large, orcish child who had just been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to.
ReplyDelete"He is Thjodolf, a great warrior from the North," said Nym, answering the orc leader for her companion.
ReplyDelete"Yes, and a trusted and valuable member of our crew. He suggested that you may be able to help us or have some information for us. I would ask that you show him the same respect we are showing to you."
ReplyDeleteDiplomacy:
Roll(1d20)+0:
11,+0
Total:11
add modifiers accordingly.
"Indeed." Beranhond said appraisingly, realizing that this wouldn't do much good with the orcs. "He has spoken out of place, but with good intentions; however, such wrongs need their own recompense and Darvin here will pay them as need."
ReplyDeleteDiplomacy:
Roll(1d20)+13:
16,+13
Total:29
"So you are already willing to accept single combat? That is refreshing. Usually it takes much longer to come to this point." The leader stood up from the crouched position he had been in before and in two steps stood right in front of Darvin, looking down. He was nearly 7 feet tall, and with a sneer, he looked at Darvin's arms and weapons. "Well, who do you wish to fight? You have your pick."
ReplyDeleteA thought struck the large orc, and he waved another orc towards the center of camp. "Maybe you'd be able to defeat one of the women." At this last comment, many of the men broke into more guffaws and loud laughter.
As the orc stood up, Nym couldn't help but notice over his shoulder that she saw, in among the orcs standing around him, a face she recognized. She didn't realize it for a second, then looked back, and saw Illuvaen with a half-grin. Seeing that he had caught her eye, he winked at her, and turned and stepped behind a tent, out of view.
ReplyDeleteNobody else in the party saw him.
Darvin was more than a little annoyed at Beranhond for putting him in this current predicament, but if there was thing Darvin was good at it was fighting while backed into a corner. His mind flashed back to the day he met Talathel and the bar fight he had found himself in. Darvin let out a sigh and said, "I was really hoping it wasn't going to come to this but if it must...And you go ahead and pick, I have no preference. I'll either be dead or a hero in a few minutes." He stared up at the orc defiantly.
ReplyDelete"You are very brave, little man, to let your life and your worth lie not on your choice but on mine." The man turned and began pacing in a half-circle in front of Darvin. "Hmm. Shall I give you a challenge, to increase the reward, or an easy trial, so you won't be hurt too badly? A difficult question you pose to a man who you've never met."
ReplyDeleteAn orcish woman stepped out of the small crowd that had formed. "Let me fight him. Kossuth knows I don't get the chance very often." The woman was immense, even larger than the leader, and wore scale mail with a very large battle axe strapped to her back.
ReplyDeleteThe leader turned to the woman. "All right. If he's willing to fight you, you can have him, Khurshid." Turning to Darvin, he asked, "Darvin is it? Would you fight Khurshid to prove yourself?"
ReplyDeleteBeranhond smiled innocently as Darvin prepared for battle. He turned back to the leader.
ReplyDelete"As you can see, we are not afraid of battle and we seek the valor that vanquishing a dark God would bring. I am certain that when the battle ends and Darvin here is victorious that we should trust that you any malice will be forgotten and that we can count on your assistance? Of course, I am sure other matters could be arranged if Darvin is not victorious, but those can be settled after the corpse is consumed."
"Yeah she'll do," Darvin said as he stepped away from the orc, "You will allow me a moment to prepare myself?" Darvin asked. The orc nodded and Darvin approached his friends. Without saying anything he started unbuckling his scabbards for his cutlasses. He handed them to Beranhond and preceded to take off his shirt, "Well, if I am going to die today I want to do it while looking good," He said as he winked at Nym. He strapped his cutlasses back on and checked his pistols. He took a deep breath and stepped back into the circle of orcs. "I'm ready."
ReplyDelete"Anxious to begin I see." The orc clapped Darvin on the shoulder. "That's well and good, but we will watch you fight by torchlight tonight, just after our evening meal. A good fight is always better on a full stomache. That's my belief. You have until then to prepare however you would like. Paz here will tell you anything you want to know about the fight."
ReplyDeleteTurning to respond to Beranhond's comment, the orc replied, "It is good to find others who enjoy life as much as we do. We must see how the battle tonight goes before talking of future plans, though. If you can't prove yourselves against Khurshid, how can you hope to beat back a god? Now I must prepare the arena. I will leave you to your preparations, and Paz can show you to your tent." With that, the leader walked away, followed by a most of the group that was watching the proceedings, leaving the group with a very runtish orc, only 5 feet tall, not very built for battle, with a very intelligent gleam in his eyes as he studied the group.