While waiting for a signal from Kurag, Rask takes a moment to cure some of his wound using his Paladin ability to Lay on Hands. He then waits for the scout to report back.
The tattered dwarf blinks several times and says in dwarven, So yer real then? This ain't no illusion? He refuses the potion and instead heads over to the direction of the run. The bears growl in savage anticipation. He stops at a large bolder and begins digging in the dirt. After a few seconds he uncovers four potions which he stuffs in whatever places of his ragged garment he can. He then grabs his skillet and climbs the rope. Upon seeing that there are more dwarves he smiles broadly and says in dwarven, Umlo Nargrymkin is me name, and I swear by Torag's forge, ye are a welcome sight to me eyes!
Kurag pauses as the dwarf runs away from him. He is about to call out when he sees him digging in the dirt and then returning. Hoisting the dwarf up Kurag hustles back to the others keeping a low profile and staying silent. Only when they are a safe talking distance does he speak again. Welcome Umlo. Glad we showed up when we did. Y name is Kurag and like B.B. there stated we are going to take back this fort eventually. We heard your voice and put our plans on assaulting the fort on hold as this turned into a rescue mission. Are there any other dwarves or captives that we should know about that we can rescue before we take the fort back?
Kurag also starts pulling out any trail rations and spare gear to give to the freed dwarf.
Bormann introduces himself to Umlo, "And I am Bormann Grimm of the lost Sky Citadel of Koldukar. If you wield a weapon a bravely as you wield a frying pan, then you have my respect."
"And I am Rask Hammersong. I have a spare hammer you can use if you wish. Any information that you can give us will be of help."
Umlo nods in thanks and greets each dwarf as they are introduced. Aye! As far as I'm knowin' there aren't any dwarfs here besides me. I pray the gods that me sister was not captured 'fore me and that she is still out there. I will help ye kill these stinkin' orcs and ogres, and then I must find me sister. There be about 35... he looks at the dead orcs, Make that about 29 orcs. Their leader is named General Karrguk. He is a stinkin' orc and he is a cleric of Gorum. He carries a huge greatsword. His lady friend be a half-orc oracle named Droja. She has been the one helpin' me by healin' me after them stinkin' orcs have me fight whatever critters they find. It was she that gave me these healin' potions. Whould ye all like one? He indicates the potions he had dug up. I thank ye for helpin' me but I must insist no harm come to the lass. I thank ye fer the use of ye hammer, Rask, I want to make them stinkin' orcs pay fer cuttin' me beard and humiliatin' me.
Umlo's eyes widen. Aye! Tis her name! Do ye know her? If'n ye do, please let me know if she still draws breath! The dwarf says anxiously.
|
"Oh yeah! She's doing great.
She told us you were looking for Nagrym Steelhand's tomb, and then you were ambushed by hags. You killed two of them, and I think we killed the third? Anyway, they cursed her, but we broke the curse."
"We cleared out the Vault of Thorns and she elected to stay there with one of our friends, if I remember. So she's safe."
Kurag follows along with Umlo's story. It seemed that this was the missing brother that they were looking for! The gods were with them indeed. However Kurag got worried when Umlo talked about a half-orc oracle that had befriended Umlo and his desire to keep her safe. Pulling a potion from his pack Kurag fingers it as he talks to Umlo more. Umlo, where is your half-orc friend Droja located and if we found her would she join us and turn away from General Karrguk?
Umlo shakes his head. I ain't been in the fort proper, so I don't know where she is. She had been helpin' me when none of them stinkin' orcs did. I would assume she would help us, or at the very lest, flee that brute!
Kurag sneaks to the barbican where he sees a large stone fortification, perched atop a small rocky island above a deep trench surrounding the entire stronghold, guards the approach to the fort’s gatehouse. It is currently unoccupied as you think the guards were messing with Umlo and are now laying dead.
Ok Umlo, we will try to look out for her. What does she look like so we can make sure we are looking for the right half-orc?
Extremely concerned about the silence coming from the barbican Kurag can only wonder what happened to the creatures that were harassing the orcs. As quietly as he can he checks for traps on the door before trying to open it. If locked he grabs his thieves tools and sets to work opening it.
stealth
disable device if necessary
Kurag peers in and not seeing any threat motions the rest of the dwarves forward to the relative safety of the barbican. From within Kurag takes a look to see what is going on in the fortress proper and in the dried moat all around him.
perception +2 orc
At Kurag signal, Rask moves up, not so silently, into the barbican and waits for others to follow.
"Go on. With my armor, I'm not likely to be able to sneak much. I'll remain here and come if there's shouting." Greta offers.
Kurag nods to first medic Greta as he makes ready to head across to K3 and K9 if the coast looks clear.
perception
Stealth
Kurag and BB sneak across the western bridge connecting the barbican to the fort’s gatehouse has four wooden ladders propped against its sides that lead down into the dry moat . These ladders provide the only means of entering or exiting the orc-infested dry moat, which Kurag and BB both can hear (and smell!)
There are four orc guards on this platform.
Instead of looking out they instead seem to be looking TOWARDS the fort.
You hear the following in orc:
"I hate dem ogres! I also hate dem giants too!"
“Speaking of giants, our fearless leader ain’t so tough after all, I hear. She’s holed up in her room crying like a whelp. Something ‘bout her true love don’t feel the same for her Never thought that oversized beast would be so feeble.
Kurag looks back towards the barbican hoping that the others are watching closely. There wasn't enough space like there was before and he started firing away he wanted Rask or Bormann coming in quickly. Then looking at BB Kurag silently pulls an arrow from his quiver and knocks it. Holding the bow steady in his left hand Kurag extends 3 fingers and slowly counts down till he releases the arrow at the first orc unless BB stops him first.
point blank precise favored enemy hatred sneak for
When Rask sees the ball of flame, he figures that BB and Kurag have started something, so muttering to himself, "dang it", he moves to where the two scouts are in case they need backup or protection.
Greta nods to Rask and moves toward combat!
"That did not take long. The place must be infested with the scum," Bormann remarks as he hefts Torag's Edge and heads in to back-up Kurag and Beetle.
Kurag and BB open combat by Kurag wounding an orc with an arrow. The wounded orc evades BB's flame sphere. The other's join them.
The wounded orc runs to Kurag and BB and attacks Kurag.
And punishes the dwarf for shooting him with an arrow.
The other orc shoots an arrow at BB.
BB also gets punished for attacking the orcs!
Kurag feels the sharp bite of the orcs weapon as it cuts him deep in the arm. Not wanting to feel another such blow he steps back a pace and targets one of the orcs further back with a pair of arrows while at the same time allowing Rask or Bormann up front. Blast it. Greta I am going to need some healing after this!
point blank precise hatred favored enemy sneak rapid shot for
Second shot for
"Back up BB" yells Rask, and then he takes a step up and swings twice at the orc that was threatening BB.
Kurag strikes an orc in the back with two arrows, wounding the beast.
But the orc sidesteps the sphere.
BB takes a five-foot step back and Rask takes his place. Rask wastes no time in destroying the attacking orc!
Greta raises her crossbow and fires at the closest orc!
for damage!
Bormann takes advantage of the gap left by the fallen orc and bounds forward until he's in their midst (risking an AoO in the process). "You'll shoot arrows from the rear no more, vermin! You face Bormann Grimm and will meet your death!"
He chops at the orc to his side in an effort to soften him up so Rask can help put him down.
Greta misses with a bolt as Bormann gets into the thick of it!
The two remaining orcs try to kill this crazed dwarf in their midst!
The orc that Bormann wounded probably sees his doom but will not go down with out a fight.
Kurag is thankful for the protection of Rask and Bormann up front. He needed the cover as he was still smarting from the blow the orc dealt him. After this fight he was going to need some healing to repair the damage. Before that could happen though they needed to end this orc threat on the bridge.
rapid precise point blank hatred favored enemy (orc 4) for
second shot (orc 4 unless dead then orc 1) for
Having wounded the orc to his side badly, Bormann leaves it to Rask's tender mercies and lays into one of the archers.
Greta reloads and fires again!
for damage!
The orc easily steps aside from the sphere.
He also misses with the acid dart.
Kurag kills the orc right in front of Bormann.
Bormann and Greta punish an orc
Rask steps up and swings Agrimmosh twice at the orc in front of him.
Rask slays the orc in front of him.
The remaining orc tries to hit Bormann.
Kurag sees BB punch the orc and drop him. With the immediate threat neutralized he turns to scans the area to see if any more orcs or worse are coming to join in the fight.
perception +2 orcs
If no one is coming that he can see he pauses for a moment to search the bodies for arrows or healing potions. Greta, did Bolka give you any healing blessings today? I could sure use one if she did.
He also turns to Umlo, Are you able to use any of the weapons that the orcs were using? If so I would recommend grabbing a bow and staying in the back until we can get you some armor. Unless that is you are willing to try on the orcs gear to see if it fits. Every little bit of help you can provide us will be greatly appreciated. The sooner and safer we clear this place the sooner we can get out of here.
"Gather close!" Greta prays to Bolka and channels!
Kurag turns to Greta gladly. As Bolka’s healing washes over him he feels a bit stronger yet knows there is still much to do. Thanks Greta. I am in your debt once again.
"Ah, thank you for the healing, Greta. Bolka and Torag be praised."
"Kurag, which way should be go from here. You lead the way and Bormann and I will fell the orcs and giants that we come upon."
Very well Rask. Stay back a bit and I will check the main gate and the towers to either side. With luck we can find a way through before they are aware of us. Once inside then we will have to see what forces are where and plan accordingly. If there are too many we may need to fall back and try the hidden entrance.
Stealth to main gate
[/ooc]
Kurag sees three ogrekin standing on top of the guardhouse. They don't notice him. As he gets closer, he sees a lowered drawbridge spans the dry moat, connecting the stone bridge outside to this dark stone gatehouse. To the west, massive double doors lead deeper into the fort.
Kurag looks around quickly wondering what the best tactical plan would be. Needing more information Kurag tries to gently crack the double doors open and peer inside looking mainly for a way to get to the ogrekin.
Perception
Stealth
He then goes back to report to the others what he learned so they can plan the next move from the gatehouse.
As Kurag makes his way across the gatehouse, he notices the doors are locked. Unfortunately he kicks a small pebble that one of the ogrekin barely hears. To be safe and not get beaten by 'da boss' the ogrekin starts to lower the portcullis!