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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 17, 2018 15:56:42 GMT -8
“They probably didn’t want to leave behind too many of their own so far from Sen-Tok,” Quentein explains.
Melvin stabs his dagger into the wall and frustratingly growls, “Enough with the chitchat; we need to get set off soon.”
Jonas nods in agreement and heads to open the gate.
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Post by Daos on Nov 18, 2018 11:44:10 GMT -8
Daos slows his pace so the two guards can take the lead.
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Post by Ezeze on Nov 18, 2018 18:03:00 GMT -8
Bayla takes up the rear.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 20, 2018 11:40:30 GMT -8
The party sets off, with Jonas directing the group, map in hand, Quentein close behind, Daos and Bayla taking up the rear, and Melvin several yards ahead, darting behind rocks and trees. Upon reaching a large hill (at which point the sun in gleaming directly in the middle of the sky), the guardsman raises his had up to signal for the march to cease.
"The bridge is just over this hill," he explains. "Melvin, can you scout out if the orcs are planning an ambush?"
The halfling nods and sneaks around the hill. After a few minutes, you hear orcish roars and noise of a fight coming from the other side.
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Post by Daos on Nov 20, 2018 14:58:53 GMT -8
"Sounds like he found one," Daos notes wryly. "Shall we?" He hurries over to the sounds, his staff at the ready.
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Post by Ezeze on Nov 21, 2018 9:57:01 GMT -8
Before Daos even asks the question Bayla has returned the roar and set charging over the hill after her teammate, axe in hand.
Initiative EAHR8NfS1d20+11d20+1
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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 21, 2018 11:06:12 GMT -8
The group rushes over the hill to find a trio of Orcs on the bridge, standing behind a small pile of weapons. Two of them have both hands in the air; the other holds up a struggling Melvin by the legs.
”This doesn’t seem like usual Lun-Chu combat behavior,” Jonas whispers, slightly lowering his crossbow.
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Post by Ezeze on Nov 21, 2018 11:21:55 GMT -8
Bayla notices the orcs with their hands up. That doesn't stop her from rushing at the orc holding Melvin, it just changes how she handles it when she gets there.
Rather than swing with her axe she attempts to rush the orc and grapple him to the ground.
Touch Attack: YjIhcAkB1d20+4 Grapple Check (Athletics): 1d20+4
Edit: thrown off by the weight of her axe she instead trips directly in front of the orc holding Melvin and her face hits dirt. Not exactly the best first impression for their new team mates. 1d20+4·1d20+4
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Post by Daos on Nov 21, 2018 16:01:58 GMT -8
Noticing that two of them have their hands up, as if to surrender, and that Mel does not appear to be in any immediate danger, at least, Daos wonders if they are looking to parley. After Bayla's...impressive stunt, Daos clears his throat and speaks up in the orcish tongue. "What is the meaning of this?" he demands.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 22, 2018 6:20:00 GMT -8
After staring at Bayla for a few moments, the tallest of the groups says, “We mean you no harm; let’s just put down our weapons-and I’ll put down the Halfling,” he adds, setting Melvin down. “and we can talk this out.”
Jonas and Quentein look at each other briefly before walking down the hill and putting their weapons in the pile.
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Post by Daos on Nov 22, 2018 15:33:37 GMT -8
"What is this about?" asks Daos, lowering his staff. He carefully watches the orcs, trying to discern if they are being sincere or if this is some kind of elaborate trap.
=================
Insight: Zpl3vIFw1d20+6
1d20+6
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Post by Ezeze on Nov 24, 2018 17:38:13 GMT -8
Bayla stands up and brushes herself off. It's kinda hard to look intimidating after a stunt like that, but she tries it anyway. She eyes the space between Melvin and the orcs. Then she gently, without force or malice, puts a hand on Melvin's back and pushes him behind her. She stands between the orcs and her team mates, but lets them talk.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 26, 2018 12:56:58 GMT -8
The orc who was holding Melvin speaks.
”About two weeks ago, a human-a mage, we think-came to our village, asking to speak to our chief about an alliance. A while later, they came out together and he said that the human would be temporary co-leader of our tribe. Things went downhill from there.”
To Daos, they seem to be telling the truth.
”What happened then?” Quentein asks.
The orc continues to explain. “He set up a new, more ruthless code of conduct for the tribe. My brother and a few others objected to it, and they went to talk to the human. They didn’t come back.”
”As for the rest of us,” another orc adds. “Quite a lot of the Lun-Chu approved of his values, and the rest of us were too intimidated to do anything about it. Just a few days ago, he announced a mission to burn down a town called Meyerville and capture a certain person and bring them to him. Korlag, one of the chief violent Lun-Chu, led the mission. About 20 Orcs went along; most were on Korlag’s side, but there were 9 of us traditionalists. We also took along some goblin Mercenaries as ‘cannon fodder’, to quote our leader.”
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Post by Daos on Nov 26, 2018 16:19:09 GMT -8
"This does track with what we've deduced so far," Daos admits. "But who was this person taken from Meyerville? Do you believe this mage has ensorceled your leader? And why are you telling us this now?" he asks.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 28, 2018 15:59:27 GMT -8
"This does track with what we've deduced so far," Daos admits. "But who was this person taken from Meyerville? Do you believe this mage has ensorceled your leader? And why are you telling us this now?" he asks. "We couldn't tell you," answers the third and final orc. "He wouldn't tell anyone except Korlag, and nobody would dare to try and get it out of him." "Ensorceled?" the original orc says bewilderedly. "What's that mean?" "Controlled via magic, I believe," explains Quentein. "Ah...we didn't actually think of that, but now I look back, it seems pretty obvious."
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