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"The door that is locked. That's the one I meant. Are you going to mind if I open it? Or did you want to smash it? I don't want to offend the ancestors," Wren says testily. "Let's do something."
Wren will examine the door for traps.
Perception
If it looks safe, Wren will take out his tools and try to open it.
Disable Device
Once everyone is trough the door, and after Wren checks it for booby-traps, Kraygan kicks open the southern door.
"YEEAGHHH!"
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Kraygan kicks open the southern door to find a long hallway. Wren peers at the door at the end of the long l-shaped hallway and once again finds no traps or magic.
Yet again Kraygan kicks open the door to find a nauseating stench of filth that seems to fill this chamber. Various items of broken furniture are sloppily piled into curious arrangements throughout the room. Among the piles of wreckage are toppled statuettes of jade and serpentine, shards of clay and porcelain urns, and several crushed drinking steins. The western wall of the room bears several large cracks and a few small holes where it meets the floor.
With a quick scan Kraygan comes face to face with the mad dwarf, who does not surprisingly seem undead at all, but rather very much alive as he pulls a string firing a double crossbow at the door.
+ Poison
Dropping the string from the crossbow Lokmorr begins to wail. That bastard Torag himself cursed me to immortality here for over 700 years with nothing to eat but me own hand. You have come here to die and feed me and Torag be damned! Lokmorr looks to be visibly wounded with decayed flesh as his left hand is made completely of steel. In his steel hand he wields a massive spear that seems too large for the average dwarf, though he wields it with little effort. (Large Longspear)
Umlo and Ingrahild begins to visibly shake at the name of Lokmorr. What the hells is he even still doing here?
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Lokmorr the Betrayer
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Torgan
Ingrahild- Shaken
Umlo 56/60 hp; -1 Str; Shaken)
Jorgan (64/66; -1 Dex)
Kraygan (55/65)
Wren (39/43)
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Round 1, Init 7
Moving into the room, Wren looks at the new dwarf, trying to see what is of interest.
Know (Planes)
"Uh. That ain't a normal dwarf. That's...that's a broken dwarf. Notice he lacks the will to shave his beard for instance..." Wren says, then rattles off some more information about the thing.
Will save vs. shaken
Though stirred, Wren is not shaken by the creature.
Wren fires a magic cold iron arrow that the thing.
to hit;
damage.
HP: 39/43
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor)
Effects: mage armor
Right: bow
Left:
Acid 0/7 used
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] damage.
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Upon closer inspection Wren knows that a broken soul has a natural reduction to all material weapons. (DR 5/-) He also knows that with the curse of immortality that Lokmirr heals at an unnatural rate (Fast healing 10) and is resistant to acid, cold, electricity, fire and sonic attacks. While he has maintained all of his natural dwarven resistances and attacks Lokmirr is also has a baleful gaze (-1d4 Str; Con; Cha), an agonizing wail (what he is doing right now), and a torturous touch. (Touch attack dealing damage along with additional dex damage (1d6) that has a chance for the target to fall prone in a fit of convulsions for 1d4 rounds)
Stepping in Wren fires an arrow at he dwarf. The sharp arrow sticks right into Lokmorr's leg but it doesn't seem to hurt him very much.
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Lokmorr the Betrayer (-4 HP)
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Torgan
Ingrahild- Shaken
Umlo 56/60 hp; -1 Str; Shaken)
Jorgan (64/66; -1 Dex)
Kraygan (55/65)
Wren (39/43)
Though unnerved by the broken dwarf, Kraygan fights the feeling with rage. Snapping off the crossbow shaft with a angry growl, he then slams a fist into his armor to activate the righteous power within. As he grows large he takes up Gorum's Thorn in a white knuckled grip.
"Let's get 'im."
Jorgan keeps a stoic grimace on his face as he decides that this might be a good time to bring in an ally, since the yaks and ram are outside.
Torgan runs into the room as he sees the dwarf in the side of the room. "THAR BE A ROGUE BEARD!" he bellows as he pulls out Agrimmosh and moves up to the dwarf.
As he moves in, Torgan sees the ugly mug of Lokmorr. "EGADS! I MUST EXCISE ALL OF YE! BEARD AN' DISEASE!"
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Torgan rushes into the room and slams Aggrimosh into the crazed eternal dwarf but not before Lokmorr takes a stab at him with his massive spear.
Lokmorr curses as his spear misses the dwarf. Jorgan meanwhile keeps a cool head as he begins to summon some assistance.
Angered by the crossbow Kraygan slams his fist into the center of his armor, activating the magical properties within. Instantly he begins to grow twice his size.
Ingrahild and Umlo move in using Kraygan as cover as they begin to surround the dwarf.
Lokmorrs wounds begin to quickly mend themselves as he heals. He spins the spear around and jabs it at the oversized Kraygan twice.
------------------------------------
Lokmorr the Betrayer (-8 HP)
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Torgan- Shaken
Ingrahild- Shaken
Umlo 56/60 hp; -1 Str; Shaken)
Jorgan (64/66; -1 Dex)
Kraygan (50/79; DR 5/evil; 2 bleed)
Wren (39/43)
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Round 2, Init 7
Wren moves across the room to try to get a better shot, but the swarm of dwarvage is too much. He recognizes that the dwarf's hard skin seems to be resisting both blade and arrow. Because he can, he switches to a more magical assault.
force damage
Resist that you bearded little peckerwad.
HP: 39/43
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor)
Effects: mage armor
Right: bow
Left:
Acid 0/7 used
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] damage.
The delayed effects of the poison cause Kraygan to gasp, but only makes him more angry.
"RRAHHHHHGHGG!"
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Kraygan's body lurches as the poison takes hold completely. He goes into a mindless rage he challenges the dwarf who smiles wickedly at him. Grasping Gorum's Thorn Kraygan slashes at Lokmorr's neck. His aim is right on until the poison causes him to lurch a bit more missing his critical strike.
Wren casts a spell causing four spheres of force to slam into Lokmorr's breastplate. They explode showering the dwarf in small flecks of magic.
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Lokmorr the Betrayer (-59 HP)
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Torgan- Shaken
Ingrahild- Shaken
Umlo 56/60 hp; -1 Str; Shaken)
Jorgan (64/66; -1 Dex)
Kraygan (34/79; DR 5/evil; 2 bleed; -4 Con)
Wren (39/43)
Jorgan finishes his call to nature and a large black aurochs appears in the corner of the room to do its best in mauling the dwarf!
Jorgan then does his best to heal Kraygan's wounds with a hearty slap on his giant rear-end.
Torgan shifts Aggrimosh to one hand and draws Brinya's Love in the other before turning into a whirling dervish of steel. "YER BEARD OFFENDS TH' HOLY ORDER!" he bellows in a rage.
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Ye should worry less but me beard and more bout this spear.... Lokmorr is cut off as Torgan tears into him with Aggrimosh and Brinya's Love. Though they hit the dwarf three times they don't do nearly as much damage as he though that the would.
Ingrahild and Umlo surround the dwarf with axe and pan.
Only one of Ingrahild's handaxes is able to connect but it doesn't seem to phase he dwarf at all.
Though Jorgan remains shaken in the presence of the dwarf his spell completes as an Auruch appears beside Lokmorr and rams tiny blunt horns into the side of the dwarf, nearly buckling his knees.
Jorgan mends Kraygan's wounds with a hearty good game as Lokmorr's wounds heal once again.
Seeing no way out of the dwarven her he continues to oblige Kraygan and stabs the spear at him once again.
The immense spear drives through Kraygan's chest, Switching his footing Lokmorr smiles as he twists the spear free leaving Kraygan to fall to the ground near death and bleeding.
-Challenge +2 Hit (Everyone but Kraygan)
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Lokmorr the Betrayer (-62 HP)
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Torgan- Shaken
Ingrahild- Shaken
Umlo 56/60 hp; -1 Str; Shaken)
Jorgan (64/66; -1 Dex; Shaken)
Kraygan (-12/79; DR 5/evil; 3 bleed; -4 Con)
Wren (39/43)
Kraygan proves his toughness once more as he stumbles back from a wound that should have killed him.
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Round 3, Init 7
Wren watches as Kraygan stumbles away from the fight, having gotten twice as good as he gave. Wren shrugs at the dwarf, unable to help.
My magics lie in other areas and are far too weak to help you.
Wren missiles again and draws out a pearl of power.
force damage
HP: 39/43
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor)
Effects: mage armor
Right: bow
Left:
Acid 0/7 used
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] damage.
Jorgan's aurochs tries to do its best as Jorgan himself continues to heal Kraygan's wounds.
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The auroch's attack is repelled by Lokmorr's breastplate as Jorgan heals the still standing Kraygan. His flesh mends closed once again ending his bleeding from the longspear.
Wren releases four more missiles of force that arc around the mass of dwarves and slam into Lokmorr once again.
-Challenge +2 Hit (Everyone but Kraygan)
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Lokmorr the Betrayer (-78 HP)
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Torgan- Shaken
Ingrahild- Shaken
Umlo 56/60 hp; -1 Str; Shaken)
Jorgan (64/66; -1 Dex; Shaken)
Kraygan (56/79; DR 5/evil; -4 Con; poison 1 save)
Wren (39/43)
"Thanks cousin!" He calls to Jorgan. In a crazy turn of events Kraygan recovers and hurls himself back into the fight, whirling Gorum's Thorn over the heads of his companions.
Torgan sees the rapid fire attacks and thinks that surely his cousin has taken nearly lethal damage, but it all appears to be a ruse as the stout Kraygan returns with even stouter attacks. Emboldened, he tries to help fell the evil beard.
"DIE BEARD!"
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Torgan is able to land but a single blow against the dwarf. Though not a powerful one it still does a bit of damage.
Kraygan however is unable to find a decent opening with all of Torgan's flailing. At one point he has an opening for a critical hit but Torgan leaps in his path once again providing just enough cover.
Ingrahild and Umlo continue to assault Lokmorr.
The brother and sister are each anle to land a solid blow as Umlo's skillet cracks the dwarves brow wide open.
Releasing his longspear into once hand Lokmorr grasps Torgan's arm.
Torgan feels sharp pain as painful wounds begin to erupt and speread all across his body from the Lokmorr's touch alone.
"DIE BEARD"
Ye want me beard come in get it you patchy bastard! I'll use what left on yer face to stuff Steelhand's mouth shut. Lokmorr's wounds continue to heal. I am immortal! The f+%&face Torag has seen to it.... He roars in Torgan's face.
-Challenge +2 Hit (Everyone but Kraygan)
------------------------------------
Lokmorr the Betrayer (-88 HP)
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Torgan- (60/64;-4 Dex; Shaken)- need a fort save
Ingrahild- Shaken
Umlo 56/60 hp; -1 Str; Shaken)
Jorgan (64/66; -1 Dex; Shaken)
Kraygan (56/79; DR 5/evil; -4 Con; poison 1 save)
Wren (39/43)
Finally shaking off the lingering effects of the poison, Kraygan continues swinging wildly at Lokmorr.
"IMMORTAL? LETS SEE!"
Round 4, Init 7
Wren had been about to grease the evil dwarf's longspear when he sees that it can no longer be wielded effectively. Instead he fires arrows into the fray, hoping for a lucky shot.
to hit; (-rapid,+PBS,-cover)
damage.
to hit; (-rapid,+PBS,-cover)
damage.
"C'mon. Let's shave this one and all the other beards in here. They are naught but the symbol of evil!"
HP: 39/43
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor)
Effects: mage armor
Right: bow
Left:
Acid 0/7 used
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] damage.
The aurochs continues to swing its horn at the evil dwarf:
Jorgan, meanwhile, moves into the room and turns his own skin into tough tree bark. "Oy, if you need some help just let me in there." He pulls out his flaming scimitar to show that he means business.
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Kraygan heaves Gorum’s Thorn past Torgan and drives the tip of the blade in deep into Lokmorr’s side. As he gasps for breath Wren fires an arrow, though it does little more than scratch his tough skin. With his back turned to the large Auroch Lokmorr is caught off guard as it rams him from behind driving Gorum’s Thorn in even deeper.
With his remaining breaths Lokmorr reaches for the tufts of hair or what remains on Torgan’s face as he crumbles to dust as 707 years of aging have finally caught up to him. Little remains in the pile besides.
- (Large)+1 Giant-Bane Longspear
DC 23 Spellcraft:Heartspit-
Fitted with a menacingly cruel 2-foot-long barbed iron head, this Large +1 giant-bane longspear can skewer an opponent, lodging beneath the flesh and holding fast. On a confirmed critical hit with the spear, Heartspit’s wielder can attempt a combat maneuver check to grapple the target as a free action. This grapple attempt does not provoke an attack of opportunity from the target if that creature is not threatening the wielder. While grappling a creature with Heartspit, the wielder can move or damage the target with the spear only on the wielder’s turn. The wielder is still considered grappled, though he does not have to be adjacent to the target to continue the grapple. If the wielder ends the grapple or the target successfully breaks the grapple, the target takes 4d6 points of slashing damage as the spear’s barbed head is ripped free.
- A steel hand
DC 35 Spellcraft (+10 bonus for understanding the tale of Nargrym Steelhand):Nargrym’s Steel Hand
Forged from solid steel, this magically animated prosthetic hand is elaborately sculpted down to the finest detail. Nargrym’s steel hand can be used to replace the normal hand of a humanoid creature—it can’t be worn in addition to an already existing hand. When attached to the wrist stump of a living humanoid creature, Nargrym’s steel hand magically forms a permanent bond to the wearer’s flesh and nerves. Once the hand has bonded to the wearer’s wrist, the wearer gains full control over the hand as if it were part of his own body. The hand has a full range of motion and functions as a normal hand. While worn, Nargrym’s steel hand grants its wearer a +2 enhancement bonus to Strength (treat this as a temporary ability bonus for the first 24 hours the hand is worn) and a +5 bonus to CMD against disarm attempts. In addition, the wearer can wield weapons of one size category larger than the wearer’s size without penalty and without altering the weapon’s designation as a light, one-handed, or two-handed weapon. For example, a Medium creature wearing Nargrym’s steel hand could wield a Large longspear as a two-handed weapon without penalty. However, whenever the wearer of the hand is within line of sight of a creature with the giant subtype, he must succeed at DC 15 Will save or be compelled to attack the giant, as suggestion. Once bonded to a wearer, Nargrym’s steel hand cannot be removed except by the wearer or after the wearer’s death.
- Three elaborately decorated beard rings (50 gp ea)
- Intricately engraved platinum beard clasp (1300 gp)
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Wren fires another arrow or two into the melee trying to get the dwarf before he realizes the futility of his actions. With another arrow in nock, Wren moves closer trying to get a better view. He releases when he sees that the dwarf is downdown.
"That was one angry lost one. Such are the deprivations one endures when confined with dwarves for too long..." Wren's voice trails off, a fate he wishes to avoid staring him in the face.
Wren shakes his head, breathing hard, trying to control the panic.
"I'll wait for you all outside and upstairs. I need...air." Wren leaves hastily.
* * *
When Wren gets his hands on the magics....
Spellcraft - longspear
Spellcraft - steel hand (not sure if Wren knows tale well enough for the +10)
Torgan violently assaults the mean dwarf as he critiques the clean-shaven prophet. "THERE BE NO PATCH ON ME CHIN!" he bellows, but before he can land a hit, Kraygan kills the thing.
"Well, that was disappointing." he mutters as he moves over and lops off the evil dwarf's beard. After securing his prize, he checks to see if the dwarf is regenerating or repairing himself after his claims of immortality.
---
Edt: Forgot the Fort Save.
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Being down in the crypt for so long Wren returns up to with Vanderhoff who looks at his with questioning eyes. Everything alright? Van asks as he stuffs away a letter from his blond knight Calrianne.
Catching his breath Wren notices a bit of movement in the trees and feels as if he is being watched intently by someone or something within the forest. He catches the briefest glimpse of what looks to be an orc crouching low in some underbrush.
Back down below Torgan claims his trophy from Lokmorr and watches the pile of dust and bones to see if they may stir. After several moments nothing happens and he seems content as the only movement is when he sneezes into the corpse dust.
Torgan- (60/64)
Ingrahild-
Umlo 56/60 hp; -1 Str)
Jorgan (64/66; -1 Dex)
Kraygan (56/79; -4 Con)
Wren (39/43)
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an elf...a dwarf...careful...they will not trust you...speak plainly...show strength...
The spirits whispered quietly in his ear even as his lips curled revealing sharp pointed teeth. "You do not need to lecture me on elves." Is his whispered reply and for a moment Rogzul is blessed with enough quiet to contemplate his next move.
There was only one dwarf, the rest were still in the crypt below, this could be his best chance. But what if I could win where Kargukk could not? If I could slaughter them here- The sound of a trumpeting mammoth cuts off his thoughts and the whispers resume in full.
stupid...strength of a herd...you would do this alone?...insolent orc welp...temper your rage...KILL THEM! It seemed only a wandering spirit agreed with him, a recently deceased soul whose voice was quickly drowned out.
Shaking his head, Rogzul grips his spear and steps out from his hiding spot, rising to his full height which towers over even some full blooded orcs. The course hair on his ruddy skin hardly moves as the hawk lands on his shoulder, an almost ancient looking bird with a vicious beak and harsh unblinking eyes.
"Elf!" He shouts. "I would speak with you! And the rest who slew Grenseldek." He stands fearlessly in the open, but his spear is kept at the ready.
good...may still end in blood...be careful... The spirits continue to whisper advice as they wait for the elf to respond.
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Everything alright?
He catches the briefest glimpse of what looks to be an orc crouching low in some underbrush.
Wren is about to answer Vanderhoff when he spies the orc.
"Ah piddlespot, Vandy. You still so moonstruck you can't keep your eyes open!? A F&%#ING ORC!!!" Wren raises his bow. "Sound the alarm, Vandy. There are likely to be more of them. They will try to take what we are stealing from the dead."
"Elf!" He shouts. "I would speak with you! And the rest who slew Grenseldek."
Wren draws out a different arrow, one good for slaying the tusked kind and smiles.
"Sure. Come closer. Within say, 30'?" I won't miss at that range.
In the tomb below...
Kraygan's rage dissipated shortly before the magic of Uskroth's armor. As he shrank back down to normal dwarf height he clutched at his chest and leaned against the nearby wall, exhausted and hurting from wounds and poison. "That bast'rd got me good. We got some sort of healin with us down here or is Hoff carryin the good stuff?"
After catching his breath, he glances at Lokmorr's remains. "Guess the legends were true about the steel hand. And tha' giant spear... heard o' Titan Maulers in the Janderhoff Army that trained t' use giant weapons. Think Lokmorr and Nargrym mighta been part of a company that did the same?" He asks Umlo. "Anyhow... we found the tomb, and finished off the betrayer. Now what? And where'd the elf runnoft to?"
"I think I'll stay where I am, elf." Rog watches, amused as the elf-man draws his bow and calls for help, the corners of his mouth turn up in a savage smile and the hawk on his shoulder lets out a screech.
always the same...do not fight yet...
"Pissed yourself already? Would you shake less if I were prettier?" Rotating the spear in his hand he considers any number of tactics to lay the elf low but stays his hand.
"I'm here to speak, you and your friend 'Vandy' here would be dead already if I wasn't. That could still happen if you're so determined to fight."
force him to submit...show him your strength... The spirits began to bicker in the back of his mind, torn between fighting and diplomacy.
"Orcs? What? Desecrating this tomb, no doubt! Let's go!" Jorgan still has his scimitar out so he merely turns and runs out of the tomb, trusting the other dwarves to follow. He stops dead next to Spirit and eyes the half-orc suspiciously. "What's a tusker like you doing in this sacred place? We've cleaned it of enough filth alreeady, we aren't afraid to add you to the pile."
With a start, Torgan tosses the beard to the stale air in the tomb before following the Reluctant Prophet.
"Oi! I thought we killed all o' dem." Torgan bellows as he ascends the stairs.
Seeing the orc, he draws Agrimmosh and steps between Wren and the offending party. "Explain yerself, mottleskin!"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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With a tired sigh, Kraygan chases after his cousins to see what's happening above. Huffing and puffing, he emerges and spots the "army".
"Wha's this? Jus' one orc plus a bird that looks older 'n ours." He thumbs at Wren.
"You have so many names for Orcs, we have just one for dwarf." Rogzul spits a curse in Orcish and growls, rattling the rings that pierce his tusks.
do not anger them...they can help...just tell them...
"You aim to stop the Storm Tyrant." He says, finally. "Much of my tribe was murdered because they were too weak to fight the giants, or so weak that they fought for the giants. As the shaman of my tribe I need to prove that I am still strong. I need to kill Volstus." He drives the butt of his spear into the dirt and bears his teeth.
"So our paths meet. I know you killed Karrguk but I am not here for revenge. I follow strength, strong warriors grow stronger together and you have proven yourselves by killing one of our generals. Now prove yourselves smart and let me help you kill the Storm Tryant."
is that enough?...will they trust you?...
Rogzul has no answer for the spirits as he waits for a response. He's all but convinced the answer will come in the form of steel.
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Wren pulls his bow back a bit more, the orc-slaying arrow almost guaranteed to make the world a better place.
"Karrguk? You're one of his followers, are you?" Wren snorts, feeling a bit better with the mounds of dwarf flesh between the orc and him.
"What do you know of Volthus, Orc? He is strong. Why do you not join your others in following him?"
"Not Karrguk's follower. His equal." The half-orc spits on the ground. "At least in station. I am a spiritual leader of my people, and I argued against following Grenseldek. Giants have strong arms, but weak spirits, they are not worthy of leading Orcs!"
"But I was overruled and soon we were at their mercy. I will not suffer that again. The Storm Tyrant is recruiting an army, that is what I know, and an army of giants must be put down."
"Spiritual leader? Wazzat mean? We know Kargukk favored Gorum, but Gorum favored us." Kraygan displays the symbol on his sword. "Or mayhaps jus' me, I dunno. I'm goin with actions speakin louder 'n words, an' Kargukk's actin pretty dead right now. You got a problem with that?"
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Jorgan mumbles, "I don't know there was any worth required for leading orcs." He lets the others talk to the outsider but whispers his own thoughts to his fellow dwarves. "What's an orc want with us? This has to be some sort of trap. He'll kill us in our sleep or feed us false information to go straight into an ambush."
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Wren takes a moment to glance again at the orc, realizing that it is as much not-orc as orc.
"Where were raised, halfsie? Where did you learn to speak a semi-civilized tongue rather than the grunts and bodily functions of..." Wren looks around at the dwarves, "...of some of less advanced?"
Wren thinks more.
"Do you have a name? Or should we call you, Squats-in-Trees?"