Inside:
The half-orc turns to a few other miners and gives muttered instructions about getting the wounded cleaned up so they can make stretchers and get them out of here. Turning back to Jaxx, he says, "Fetchling raid. We were staying a few extra hours in the mine, trying to extract some iron ore from a new vein we discovered last month, when those bastards attacked us. We fought them off, but barely. Now many of us will be recovering from these wounds. I hate those shadow-loving wretches!" he says, punching the table he's standing next to and growling.
Outside, Suny's insults to the crowd and her rustic way of speaking mean that not everyone seems to understand her clearly. The crowd mutters to each other and there's some shoving further back in the crowd. Reluctantly, a few of the women in the very back of the group of people head back toward the home-tents, but one tall, intimidating half-orc female walks up boldly and jabs her finger at Suny's chest.
"You just listen to me, newcomer. We're miner's wives. We know how dangerous our men's work is, and we accept that risk every. single. day. Don't you tell us we're doin' naught but wringin' our hands when our menfolk are under attack! This weren't just a cave-in or an accident - we saw men bein' carted out with arrow wounds in 'em before these jokers closed the door on us!"
She narrows her eyes, leaning in close and staring angrily at Suny. "I'm going in there to find my husband. Stop us, if you dare, outsider. You'll see how we got along so long without any lawmen like you dictatin' to us what we can and can't do."
In the face of the Orc lass' anger Suny resorts to her own 'weapon' of choice which is laughter.
"I din't say do nuffun'." And she points, distrating the angry Orc lass, by showing her where the other women are making to help.
"Every body be doin' somat. Ye see?" Suny explains brightly.
"Though, rilly, dun't it make much more sense fer us 'Outsiders' ta go an' be gettin' all banged up while you do right by yer men folk?" She points out in her slightly strange elven way of thinking. (^_^)
oozula stands dumbfounded, not sure what to make of suny's behavior.
Arthur sits off to the side, thoroughly uncomfortable with the situation.
Inside
Are you not stealing something they value? Please do not misunderstand, the pain and suffering saddens me.
What would you do, we're the roles reversed?
Outside...
The aggressive female snorts. "Come along with me then, if you must. But I'M going in, and these two pipsqueaks -" she glares at the two miners guarding the door still, who shrink away slightly - "can't stop me." With a derisive grunt, she shoulders past the two guards and into the mineshaft, leaving the door hanging open behind her. Several more women follow her down, although the rest of the crowd appears to have lost their ire and now are setting about back toward the residential tents.
Inside...
"We aren't stealing anything! Only thing we're hauling out is the iron, and it isn't theirs to claim! Hell, we've been here on this mountainside longer than they have, anyway! They came from the southerly edges of the mountain range recently, set up shop, claimed the wizard's artifact we discovered as some bloody religious relic, and started attacking us unprovoked!" The half-orc growls as he spits out his anger. The other miners in the cavern who are still conscious are nodding in agreement as he talks - he seems to share the most vocal opinion.
Outside heading in.....
Suny gives a theatrical kind of 'sigh' to Oozula and Arthur before hopping off her perch and scampering after the head strong Orc lass.
"Here! M'name be 'Suny' in'a speakin' of tha' peoples..." She offers a hand for shaking "Whut is it peoples be callin' y'self?" (^_^)
Outside...
Inside...
"We aren't stealing anything! Only thing we're hauling out is the iron, and it isn't theirs to claim! Hell, we've been here on this mountainside longer than they have, anyway! They came from the southerly edges of the mountain range recently, set up shop, claimed the wizard's artifact we discovered as some bloody religious relic, and started attacking us unprovoked!" The half-orc growls as he spits out his anger. The other miners in the cavern who are still conscious are nodding in agreement as he talks - he seems to share the most vocal opinion.
Caln looks at Jaxx, "Whatever else we must protect these miners. The Fletchlings can't be allowed to take their mine away from them. I think that the deputies are going to have to find and deal with the Fletchlings, peacefully if possible."
Arthur uses his tools to bend a sheet of metal into a crude megaphone.
" Uh. Ladies and gentlemen could I have your attention? I need you all in three groups. Those that know healing and medical skills, those who are armstrong and can help lift injured people and search for survivors and the third group is everyone else who can help by preparing food and blankets and things. Could you all please return to your homes and retrieve anything you need to do this with. Everyone please return as soon as you can. When most of you are returned we can let you in and begin work. Thank you."
While not overly confident, he is charismatic and hopes his efforts to organize the group will work through.
"Hmm.. good thinking Arthur... keep them busy."
Armelio then addresses the throng of females. He pantomimes spear thrusting, and flexes when appropriate...
"Yes. Let us be the tip of the spear for you. A spear alone is not what kills.. but the strength behind it.
That strength comes from a complex but coordinated network of muscles.
We are well trained, and with your support we will see an end to this... and it will end today. "
"Well, we'd certainly appreciate a solution to the problem. Can't keep trying to work like this," the half-orc comments, turning his attention back to the injured miner and making to change his bandages.
"Foreman Archer! Foreman Archer!" a young human man in miner's outfit comes running up from further down the long mineshaft.
"Yes, lad, what is it?" the half-orc you were speaking to replies, glancing over at him with concern. "More fetchlings?"
"No, sir! One of the raiders got left behind and we captured him! The boys...the boys are..." the miner gulps, out of breath and panting. He glances uncomfortably at the deputies watching the conversation. "They're *whisperwhisperwhisper*" is all you can hear as the boy leans in close to the foreman and mutters in his ear.
The foreman's eyes widen and he gestures to the deputies. "You'd better come along too. Could be trouble." he then races off, following the young man where he came from.
Outside: The deputies' concerted efforts, clumsy though they may sometimes be, finally make it through to the crowd of women. With the firebrand of a half-orc woman out of sight, the rabble seems to have no rousing. The women glance at the shiny silver badges of office pinned to each deputy's chest, and begin following their orders, gathering supplies from the main community center and bringing them to the immediate exterior of the mineshaft.
The two half-orcs guarding the door glance inside, then look back at you. One of them approaches Arthur. "Thank you for dispersing that crowd and getting them focused. We're all that we have out here, and the prospect of their men in danger makes these women into lionesses. Would've been a dangerous situation if you hadn't come along." He sticks out his hand for a quick handshake. "Name's Jim Lusk. I'm one of the under-foremen of the mine under Foreman Archer, who was out here before."
He glances around the crowd of productive people. "I think your talents are wasted here, officers. They might need you inside."
Suny:
The orc woman and her entourage are speedwalking down the mineshaft, their hands swinging back and forth for momentum. She grasps your hand briefly and barks "Dagra." before focusing on the path ahead.
Outside, heading in...
Suny grins brightly at Dagra's introduction and continues to hop, skip and scamper along. Her bouncing energy enough to keep pace with the Orc lass' powerful strides....
"So..this be a 'Mine' then? I in't never seen a mine afore....Why's it called that? Is it hard ta' make? Is we walkin' ina' dirt? Or in'a stone? Or in somat else? Whut do ye use these holes fer after all'a mine-in'-in'? Gee...sure is dark in here..." She makes conversation in her usual way. (^_^)
[i] oozula hops down and quickly follows after.[/i2
alright lets see what is going on down there
Arthur shakes his hand. "Arthur Cogsworth, good to meet you. And I think you might be right. If you'll excuse us, then..."
He slips the strider through the door and sets off to follow behind his fellows.
He speaks quietly to Armelio when out of earshot of anyone else.
"I've noticed a lot of half orcs around. Do you think it's because the tribes, uh, y'know..."
He trails off assuming you'd pick up what he's extenuating that raiding orcs do to females...
oozula continues following after.
Dagra, Foreman Archer, and the deputies follow the junior miner down a mineshaft. As you walk through the tunnel you see evidence of more wounded who weren't in as critical condition as the ones in the first room. They stare in confusion at the newcomers walking past, and shrink away in fear from a few of you - Oozula, and Arthur's strider, mostly.
As you walk, Dagra cuffs Foreman Archer roughly in the back of the head. "How dare you keep us out? These men need our help!"
The foreman takes the blow with equanimity - he and Dagra appear to have some sort of prior relationship. "It was still dangerous for the time being down here, dear...the fetchlings could come back at any time. I didn't want to risk the womenfolk." Dagra only growls at this.
You arrive at a major cavern dig-site, deeper into the mountain, at around 20 feet high and 60 long. There are wooden catwalks erected alongside the walls, to allow miners to harvest iron from higher up in the veins. There was a battle here, it's certain. You see an axe buried in the wooden support beam holding up the nearest catwalk, and swords, daggers, and mining equipment scattered everywhere. There are also some dead miners and Fetchlings lying here or there. You count 4 dead miners, and as many fetchling raiders.
Continuing through the room you come to a small side cave that has a miner standing in front of it. A tall, intimidating specimen of a half-orc, he towers over even Dagra, and his arms are crossed. He nods in deferential respect to the Foreman and allows you through after he commands it.
Around the corner you can hear the sounds of a beating - punches landing against soft targets and the grunts of pain they cause.
Caln hurries round the corner. "In the name of the Lady of the Graves I tell you to STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!". Caln's voices rises to a commanding roar as he speaks.
(>_o)
Suny winces at Caln's loud voice as it bellows and booms around the small cave/room, even as she skips a little sideways the better to see what's happening around the bend...and get even a little distance from the sudden loudness.
Caln rushes ahead of the others to find a grim scene. There is a pair of miners, a half-orc and a human, holding a fetchling captive by the arms between them. The fetchling is a pale, thin-looking humanoid, with thin black hair and pronounced pupil-less eyes that gaze around the room, lolling wildly. A third miner, a burly, strong-looking dwarf with a short beard that looks like a square-top on his chin, stops punishing the prisoner and looks over his shoulder at Caln as he rounds the corner.
"'Ere, 'oo're you?" he grunts. You see that he has brass knuckles on his fingers that have been bloodied, and matching wounds on the fetchling's face. Weapons lie scattered about on the floor all around you, and there's a small crowd of miners standing beyond the fetchling in the tunnel, who were watching the beating happen.
Suny gasps seeming in shock at the scene arrayed before her. Then, she seems to simply disappear.
So, for two rounds Suny is effectively invisible. Should be more than enough for her to sneak/walk over to the meany dwarf and smack him up-side the head.
"What the hell! No! Torture is /not/ a way to do things. EVER."
oozula is appalled by this horrible act, unsure of what to do.
Jaxx sneaks around, wending between the bigger folk to reach the scene. His curiosity nearly making it impossible to look away from the scene.
Hmm, violence begets violence, it's true. Your kind always chooses the baser path. The lowest common...
either you kill him or you just jail him. Torture is.... arwen is lost of word to finish up his sentence
Arthur just twiddles his hands around the iron bar in an uncomfortable way, not knowing what to say about the goings on...
Obvious by his body language that he doesn't care for it, but it would seem his courage was spent on directing the women earlier...
Caln shoulders his way forward to take a place between the prisoner and his tormentor. "STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!!!" Caln shouts in a voice as loud of thunder. Lowering his voice he continues "We need to reach an understanding with these Fletchlings. You murdering one doesn't help."
Caln holds his Holy Symbol,of the Lady in front of him and speaking with a voice as deep and solemn as a crypt adds "AND BY THE POWER OF THE LADY OF BONEYARD, I PROMISE YOU THAT YOUR SOUL WILL NOT FIND A HAPPY RESTING PLACE IF YOU KEEP THIS UP!"
"And what the hell do you know about it, holy man? We stopped this one in the act of killing Esbern here..." the dwarf gestures to the human holding the fetchling's arm, "In the middle of a raid on our peaceful mine! An unprovoked raid, I might add! You'd have us give him hugs and kisses?"
The Dwarf bellicosity replies to Caln as Suny appears suddenly behind him, her wooden sticks flailing.
All of Suny's blows strike true - but dwarves are a hardheaded race and her strikes do minimal damage. The dwarf turns to the elf, growling a few threats under his voice...but just as he's about to strike back, Archer cries, "ENOUGH!"
The half-orc strides forward, looking angry. "Destin, this is not how we do things here. These lawmen are here from Freedom Town..." he emphasizes the town's name in a low voice to the dwarf, "To make sure things are on the level...you don't want to f!!* that up, I promise." He places a calming hand on the dwarf's shoulder and gestures behind him, back toward the entrance of the mine. "Go on, your work's done here. Go see to the wounded."
Reluctantly obeying his superior's commands, the dwarf strides past the rest of the deputies without looking at them directly. His face is like a thundercloud.
Dagra, meanwhile, approaches Suny. "We've been through a lot here that you wouldn't understand, she-elf. We've lost friends. Your laws don't apply to us." she glares over her shoulder at Caln. "Peace with...these monsters" she glares hate at the fetchling, "is an impossible dream."
The fetchling, for his part, merely hangs between his captors.
"Funny, i bet i could manage. It's my /job/."
oozula says, frustrated at the lack of any faith whatsoever.
Suny continues to stand in front of the limp prisoner as the Dwarf is led away by the Foreman. She doesn't back down or flinch as Dagra approaches her and makes her claims/statements. Suny looks resolutely back at the larger, imposing female Halforc.
"It in't about law. It in't about loss." Suny replies quietly. "It's about whut be right." She lifts her head in a clear challenge to the much more powerful Orc lass looming over her.
"There be more goin' on here than jus' diggin' in'a ground. Lots more...An' if'n ye can't get yer head aroun' that? Then.....we's be havin' a...'Failure to communicate'...." She quirks her lip, though her features now show only a hint of their former cheer.
"As fer monsters...? Aye, you do well ta' un'erstand I in't nothin' like ye've met afore." She continues to match Dagra's glare. "Jus' whut's it be ye think ye know about Elves then, lassy?" She asks.
Heal him some and let him go... Teach him by example. End the violence and start understanding each other.
Arthur remains to be uncomfortable, having not much to weigh in on the topic... there really wasn't any of his view point that wasn't already stated...
He looks the miners and fletchling over with his detect magic.
Turning to the other deputies, Caln asks if anyone speaks Fletchling?
"From what i know, they speak common."
oozula mumbles. She wraps her armor tighter around her, to hide much of her gleam as she walks to the fetchling.
"Hay... Can you understand me?"
Arwen will turn to his fellow deputy and well as the leader of the miners.
He is correct, whatever is done here isn't under our jurisdiction. But foreman if the deputies want to assist you they will do so individually out of their own capacity and abilities. Now it does stand to reason that the fletcling are just responding to what they perceive to be invasion of their land. But in that Respect if anyone can try to understand them i sure Oozula can.
"From what i know, they speak common."
oozula mumbles. She wraps her armor tighter around her, to hide much of her gleam as she walks to the fetchling.
"Hay... Can you understand me?"
As an aside to Oozula, "I can offer healing to the Fletchling if he will explain what's going on."
The fetchling shrinks away in fear as Oozula approaches. Surrounded by his enemies clutching weapons, and torches that seem to dazzle him, he is able to only whimper and sniff. He strains to get free of the half-orc and the human holding his arms, to no avail.
Oozula pauses for a moment.
"Do you have a preticualry dark dead in in the mine?"
Archer scratches his head as he tries to understand Oozula's thick accent. "Preticualry dark dead'in'? Uh...you mean dead end? We have a few dark tunnels..anywhere's dark if there's no lanterns about, I mean.."
"Right. Sorry, not used to tunnels. Please, take him to a dead end, lead me there, and leave me alone with him. You can stand guard at the exit if it makes you feel better."
she is dead Serious, using a tone that made sure you knew that she wasn't joking around.
"Would you, uh, like me to come with you?"
He tries to hide it, but is somewhat obviously concerned for Oozula, not doubting her abilities, but not wanting to underestimate the Fletchling...
Archer shares Arthur's doubts. "We...literally caught this creature in the act of murdering our friends. They attacked us out of the shadows when we were working the iron veins. Now you want us to leave you alone with one?"
Dagra crosses her arms over her chest and scoffs.
"Yes, i do. No, i don't need you to be with me. If someone must come with me, it should be caln,"
Suny pokes at the two fellows holding the prisoner's arms.
"Here. First we heal tha' feller. Then we see about's gettin' comfy an' chattin'." She insists, though she keeps an eye on Dagra.
very well oozula. Do what you think you have to do. says arwen crossing his arms under his chest.
The two miners don't initially release the prisoner. Uncertainly, they look to the Foreman, who looks to his wife. Dagra narrows her eyes in mistrust at Suny, then glances at Archer and gives the barest of nods. Archer says, "Release him, boys," and the group of miners behind the prisoner immediately begin complaining and protesting.
The fetchling falls to the floor when he's released, breathing heavily on his hands and knees. Archer steps closer and kicks a short dagger out of his reach.
Dagra, will you speak with me... I want to understand.
What is your relationship to the Tower Wizards? They seem very powerful.. The small gnome looks up quizzically.