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Post by Sugarphix on Nov 15, 2012 21:07:02 GMT -5
Alea's already pale skin blanches further at the thought of the Dwarves attempting to fight this battle. She tries to reason with them as best she can.
"I'm no coward Dwarven man, But I know what I can't and can Do within a battle scene, We will not walk away I mean.
There are so few folks in this inn, You must admit we just can't win, Yet with the force of this whole town, We may not bring these scoundrels down.
For they have mounts whose teeth will bite, They've muscles big and full forced might, Besides the numbers you have here, The farmers might just hide in fear.
You have no way to gather men, So you'd go out, what happens then? You'll be slaughtered like those you lost, The townsfolk too, and at what cost?
For you to give up here and now, Fat and lazy like some sow? Does Rally's Kindness mean so little, That you'd stick him in the middle?
I know what it's like to lose, Those that you love, but we don't choose To give up, we must choose life yet, And one day, your revenge you'll get."
Alea reiterates her previous idea of creating a diversion to help the Dwarves, and asks if they have any better ideas that don't involve getting slaughtered.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 16, 2012 7:18:20 GMT -5
Kholmar, The townsfolk gathered within the Bent Stalk gather around Alea as she chants out her suggestions. It annoys you that the pretty Elf thing, and her flowery words can sway a crowd. While your sensible, logical words fall on deaf ears. Maybe all these Human's are just too young to understand? The Elf should be old enough though, and the Elf should know better.
Rally raises his hands after Alea speaks, and the crowd falls to silence, "I'm more than willing to fight to defend Ashbury, but unprepared like this..." He trails off for a moment, "They're mounted on Worgs, and they number a dozen. All of us gathered here would die needlessly if this comes to combat." Rally looks to Kholmar, "Gather your brother, and sneak out through the kitchens. Exit town through the south side, and wait one hour. Then return here. I used to be with the Regiment, and I'm already making plans." When you start to protest, Rally raises a hand to silence you, "I will put up their tribute, and they will leave peacefully this time. They like easy prey, and if we cave this time they will think Ashbury is easy prey. I want them to think Ashbury is easy prey, but I will need you and your brother, Alea and Hank to help me fight the battles to come. Deal?"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2012 16:43:43 GMT -5
As Alea and Rally state their cases, Kholmar grumbles and mutters under his breath the entire time, looking none too happy about what was said. Finally his shoulder droop in resignation and he heaves a sigh.
"Fine. We be do as yu say. You be kynd man, Rally. We be not want hurt you or townfolk. C'mon me brudder. Yu be get yer orc flesh soon. Yu be kill more this way. We be go."
As he leaves he gives an unhappy glance back at those gathered in the tavern, particularly the elven female.
Kholmar drags his clearly upset brother through the kitchen. He moves his way to exit the south side of town, keeping a low profile as he moves.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 17, 2012 13:07:59 GMT -5
(Please remember that if your characters do not speak Orc, then they do not understand what the Orcs said while speaking Orc.)
Keeping a low profile is fairly easy for your stout Dwarven frame, and you slip out of the kitchen without drawing any unwanted attention to yourself. Exiting town goes just as smoothly, and you and your brother find a well hidden vantage point to keep watch on Ashbury.
Rally gets dressed in some studded leather armour, and addresses the Orc's from one of the front windows, "We- we don't want any trouble." He pauses to swallow hard, "The Dwarves are not here, they left some time ago." He flinches, as if expecting attack, but continues, "We- we will of course offer you tribute. Do you fellows like strong ale?"
When Rally says that the Dwarves are not within, half the mounted Orcs begin to move toward the Bent Stalk, and almost all of them shout in guttural anger. The lead Orc is the only one that remained silent. When his troops move he shouts a single word in the Orcish tongue, and his troupes reign in and form back into a line. For those that understand Orc, the word was, "Hold."
At the mention of tribute and strong ale, the Orc's expressions turn to toothy smiles. The leader finally speaks, "We's search da place, and ifin we find no Dwarfies, den we take you's tribute and go." He gestures to two of his men, and they bound forward toward the door of the Bent Stalk. Rally turns back to the room, and quietly orders, "Just stay still, and make no sudden movements." The first Orc lands beside the door, and opens it while the next bounds through the open door. Both move through the building, letting their mounts sniff around.
The Orcs ignore all of the Humans as they search, but when they lay eyes on Alea they snarl. One of the Orcs moves his mount to sniff around where Alea is standing, intentionally close. Close enough that with each step Alea is bumped, forced to move back another step. After several such bumps, the Orc shouts loud enough for those outside to hear. (Orcish) "Der be an Elf here, can we eat's her?"
The lead Orc shouts back, (Orcish) "Ifin dey give tribute, den no. Be der Dwarfies?" The inside Orc replies, "No Dwarfies." The lead Orc switches to the common tongue, and shouts, "Form up.", The two Orcs inside leave the Bent Stalk, and join the line outside. He then turns to Rally, "Prepare the tribute quickly. Elves make my men violent."
Rally nods quickly, and turns back to the room. Once he is no longer facing the window, he breaks into a broad smile. "Time to prepare their tribute!" He announces. Rally calls out, "You three with me." Rally heads downstairs with three of the townsfolk in tow. A couple minutes later the four of them return carrying two large kegs. They stop and set the kegs on end, and Rally taps both. Pulling a flask from inside his armour, Rally dumps the contents into the Kegs, and quickly reseals the kegs.
The kegs are carried outside, and each is strung up between two Orc mounts. The Orcs begin to move out, and the leader looks to Rally, "We will return, and next time we expect a better offering." Turning away the Orcs break into a loping trot, and are quickly lost to sight.
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Post by Marcimus on Nov 17, 2012 14:57:15 GMT -5
Hank finally arrives downstairs as the orcs are entering the building. He freezes at the bottom of the stairs unsure what's going on, then remembering the earlier nights conversations in a haze he seems to recall two dwarves complaining about something to do with orcs. Once the orcs make their way upstairs to search for what he assumes are the dwarves that now seem to be missing, Hank wonders over to one bench and sits himself down. Only being able to focus on his lack of sleep and splitting headache, it takes Hank a few minutes before he brings himself back to reality and watches Rally tap the kegs and add something. As the Orcs ride out of town Hank forces himself to rise from the bench and go talk to Rally, once caught up on what's happening he finally asks, "What did you put in those kegs anyways? Poison?"
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Post by Sugarphix on Nov 21, 2012 6:54:14 GMT -5
Alea's blood curls at the sight of the filthy Orcs that bend their heads to enter the Bent Stalk. Covered in dirt, grime, and what looks suspiciously like old dried blood, the reeking smell that permeates the room as they enter is almost enough to make her outwardly gag. She stands still, one hand on the pommel of her sword, ready to draw if they should try to relieve her of her weapons.
One Orc scanning the room makes eye contact with her, and recognizes her for what she is, a lone Elf that is not trying in the least to hide herself. She plants her feet and attempts to stand stalwartly through the barrage of sniffs of the wolf-thing, and the constant bumping about that the smelly thug gives her. However, in this close proximity, her eyes are fairly watering from the stench coming off both of the beasts, and she relinquishes a step or two of ground during the encounter. She figures it would not do to heave up on the thing...why give it a reason to disobey orders and eat her in a blind fit of rage. Then the killing would begin and once that Orc hit the ground, she reasoned, more would come seeking to wipe out her and her new friends.
She breathes a sigh of relief when the grotesque smell lessens as the Orc moves back to the door. She mentally makes a note to bathe as soon as possible, and makes plans to wash any clothing that might have had filth rub off onto it from the Orc.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2012 8:39:16 GMT -5
Slag seethes with anger as the two Dwarves make their way out of town.
"We could have taken those pig bastards. I can't believe we ran. A whole town against a few rat pigs? It would have been a massacre. I can't believe you listened to them."
Remaining calm, Kholmar retorts, "No, me brother. Rally was right. The town was not prepared to fight those orcs. They be mounted on wargs and would have proven pretty nasty. Particularly to a bunch of farmers. They better start preparing to fight them though, cuz the pigs will be back."
Slag continues to mutter and grumble the entire time they're waiting outside of town. Kholmar finally had had enough.
"Shut yer yap, Slag! It ain't helping. I know ye hates them. Ye have good reason to. But it's best to fight them on our terms, not theirs. We'll get our revenge. Not to worry. We'll get our home back. It may take a while, but we gotta start somewhere. May as well be here."
After waiting the requisite hour, Slag and Kholmar go back to the Bent Stalk. Just before they enter the Tavern Kholmar warns his brother.
" Behave yerself, Slag. Don't go flyin' off the handle in there. Let's hear what they have to say before we figure out our next move. If they're not planning on standing up against the pig bastards, we'll go somewhere else. Worry not me brother. You'll get yer swords bloodied."
The two dwarves then enter the Tavern to hear the story of the orcs from those inside.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 29, 2012 20:24:56 GMT -5
Hank, you're seated, elbows on knees with your head between your hands to stop the world from slowly spinning. Annet slips onto the bench beside you, and curls one arm around you. In her free hand is a tankard of fresh cold water to help combat the nights festivities. She seems frightened, and her grip on you is tight, and only grows tighter as the Orcs return downstairs. After the Orcs leave Annet helps you to your feet, tiny spots of colour show on her checks. Whether she's embarrassed by her fear or how forward she just was with you, you can't be sure.
With the Orcs gone, everybody within the bar quickly gathers around Rally. Nobody seems to want to be the first person to speak, until Hank asks, "What did you put in those kegs anyways? Poison?" As soon as the question is asked, everybody begins asking questions one on top of another so that none can be heard. People that were not in the Bent Stalk while the Orcs were here arrive to find out what happened, and what will happen next. Quickly the place is a sea of bodies, and the noise is unbearable.
Alea, in the jumbled chaos of bodies Lini squeezes in beside you. She passes you a damp cloth that smells of strong soap. She smiles warmly, and tries to leave, but the crowd has closed in and she can't find an opening. She looks back to you, laughs nervously, and then shrugs. After a few seconds a piercing whistle fills the tavern, and all the talking dies down. Rally shouts, "All of you, go about your chores. I will make an announcement here at the stalk tonight that answers all of your questions." The crowd begins to ask questions again, steadily getting louder until another whistle fills the air, "I said go home! Now!" The crowd begins to filter out, and once you all can see Rally he is literally shoeing people out of the building.
After he pushes the last farmer on his way he turns to face those assembled before him. "Annet and Lini, can you get this place ready lunch?" When they look to object he adds with narrowed eyes, "Get a move on, please." The two women shoot him withering looks, but do as he asks. After the ladies are busily working Rally confides, "I'm going to pay for that for a week." He then shurgs, "As for you folks, get some breakfast while we wait for our Dwarven friends to return. I have some thinking to do." He sets words to action, and starts madly jotting notes on a piece of paper.
After the Dwarven brothers return, Rally gestures the four of you to his table. Once seated, Rally begins, "Hank, you asked me what I added to the kegs? It was a poison of sorts, but nothing lethal. It was just a little something to get those boys really drunk. If my guess is correct, those Orcs won't be able to resist the drink until they get back to Cop- Their village." Rally glances abashed toward the Dwarves before he continues, "I suspect that the Orcs will be camped not to far from Ashbury."
Rally reads over his notes, and nods before he continues, "Now, the three things that worry me are..." He holds up one finger, "One, that they were well disciplined." A second finger joins the first, "Two, that they were riding Worgs." He adds a third finger, but instead says, "The third we will get to in a bit."
Scanning the page before him he meets each of your eyes then continues, "The booze should take care of the discipline, and the Worgs should take care of themselves. You see Worgs are bestial, but they are not beasts. They are not simple minded like most animals, and they are not as smart as most people. The problem with that is that they focus their limited intelligence on killing. My bet is that the Worgs didn't want to be ridden, but that some sort of deal was struck between the Worgs and the Orcs."
Rally looks to the Dwarves, "I promised you revenge, but the two of you can't pull off what I have planned on your own. Hank, I've known you a long time. Has the farmers life finally chafed enough to do something a lot more dangerous?" Before you can answer Hank, he turns to Alea, "And you my Elven friend, we have only just met, but I've seen the warrior's spirit in you. Your hand drops to hilt of your blade without you even seeming to notice. I bet that under the table there your hand is wrapped around the hilt even now. Will the two of you fight for Ashbury? Will the four of you fight for Coppervault?"
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Post by Sugarphix on Dec 2, 2012 10:09:14 GMT -5
Alea gratefully accepts the soapy wash cloth and begins wiping away any signs of mud or filth. She thanks Lini for her kindness, and when the girl is unable to escape through the throng of bodies and shrugs, Alea smiles and nods at her. The Elf turns her attention back to where Rally stands, but is unable to make out anything he is attempting to say over the raucous crowd. Instead of trying to push closer, Alea attempts to back as close to the wall and away from the jostling group as she can.
She looks over to see Anette once again with her arm around Hank, and is glad she was not forward with him the night before. From the sounds of it, they were going to have to fight together, and fighting among themselves over a man would not help the situation. Alea decides that she will find out later if Hank is truly interested, or if it was only the booze talking the night before. If their paths should continue to intertwine, perhaps he or time would tell.
After the farmers are shoed out of the building, and order is being restored by the serving girls, Alea approaches the bench where Hank sits and asks if she may sit. If he grants her permission, she sits beside him, facing Rally, and listening intently to what he has to say.
“What is the third thing that worries you most? Is it the size of the oncoming host? I don’t like unknowns when preparing for battle, I don’t want these good farmers to be slaughtered like cattle, Worry not about me, in a fight I am strong, But I think that your drink won’t keep them back for long, We need a distraction to dissuade their mounts, For if they fight without them we may not get trounced, I have certain skill sets that might help us here, But I don’t have supplies, and I must make that clear, But if you can find for me things that I’ll need, I can make bows, and ballistas with speed, I am a fletcher as well as a bard, And I could train men on them if they’ll work hard, We could mount one up top on the roof when we’re done, And pick off their numbers one by one as they come.”
Alea gauges Rally's reaction, and if he seems to approve of the idea, she makes a list for him of the things she'll need to make the weapons. Placing a gentle hand on Hank's cheek, she turns his head so he is looking at her straight on. She asks him if he is afraid of magic. If not, she quietly casts prestidigitation on Hank to make his headache disappear, or at least make the lights and sounds not so harsh to him.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2012 23:41:58 GMT -5
Kholmar does not bat an eye as Rally mentions Coppervault. He listens closely to all that Rally has to say.
Kholmar smirks under his beard as Alea speaks. Although his command of the common tongue is not too good, he understood enough. The thought of this skinny Elf girl building a ballista was quite amusing and he couldn't wait to see it.
When it's his turn to talk Kholmar does not hesitate. "I be not think twice. Orcs must be stopped. May as well be here. We be fight with you."
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Post by Marcimus on Dec 13, 2012 8:55:42 GMT -5
Hank used to Annette's flirtatious and gentle touch smiles gently at her and takes a long draught of the cool water she brought over.
Hank should have known better than to ask such a question in such a large nosy crowd like this, but someone had to do it. When the volume of the crowd escalates so does Hank's headache and he slowly makes his way to the nearest exit and steps outside for fresh air. Looking up to the sky he tries to spot Pearl, seeing if she has returned to find him. It takes a couple minutes but he finally spots her off in the distance circling over one of the farmer's wheat fields, a small smile crosses his face and he heads back inside.
Once inside he seats himself back at the bench and watches as Rally shoes his neighbours out the door. When Alea speaks of creating siege weapons he has only read about in stories, he is taken aback at such a foreign concept. Quickly the situation takes a hold of him and his heart starts racing and the adrenaline pumping. When both the dwarves and the elf say that they will fight his mind's eye briefly shows an image of himself standing overtop a dead oversized orc and a bunch of beautiful women surrounding him cheering and grabbing at him.
"I'm in."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 22, 2012 12:33:17 GMT -5
"You're all in, excellent!" Rally exclaims, while crumpling one of his notes and throwing it into the fire. "The size of the Orc host isn't the third thing, it might be the forth thing though once this is all started." Rally makes a quick note on the remaining papers in front of him, then continues, "The third thing is retaliation. Regardless of how my next plan of action goes, the Orcs will strike back, it's just a matter of how much time we have to prepare for their counter stroke."
Rally meets each of your eyes before he continues, "Now for the business of revenge. I want the four of you to follow the Orcs, and find where they make camp. Make sure the Worgs have gone their separate ways. Let them get good and drunk, then in their drunken stupor I want you to destroy them. Leave none alive, and let none escape."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2013 17:15:15 GMT -5
"That be sound easy enough", Kholmar replies. "Destroyin' 'em be good for me. Which way be they go? Point me in right direction, I be smell where those rotten pig bastards go".
The dwarf begins to gather his stuff for the road.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Mar 28, 2013 21:22:49 GMT -5
"Okay, I want the two Dwarves to head North, and circle the camp. You two circle the camp as well, but attack from the South." Rally stands, and shakes each of your hands, "You are all doing a good thing here. Something that truly needs doing. May fortune favour your blades." Rally is drawn away by one of the townsfolk, and you are all left to yourselves. The Dwarves nod silently, and make for the door, exiting without a backward glance.
What do the two of you do now?
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