Otzali growls in anger, a guttural almost feline-like sound from deep in the back of his throat. Tightening his grip on the maca he lashes out at the ogre again. This time his aim is truer and the weapon's obsidian teeth rake across the creature's flesh.
Otzali lodges the maca into the back of the Ogre's skull, leaking brain matter on to the pyramids stone steps.
Combat over You each get 67 xp
"We should tie one of the Orcs up for questioning and slay the other 3. They would do not less to us were the situations reversed. I know this seems unjust but it is the way of things".
"I can tend to your wounds and keep them clean - but I do not wield the power of the spirits. Let me look." She asks one of the others to fetch some water while she works to clean the dirt and grime from the wounds inflicted by the orcs' picks.
"The ogre was here for a reason. We should try and learn what. I would not disturb the spirits of this place, but if he was looking for something valuable, we should deny both him and others who may follow in his footsteps."
Otzali looks at Al for a moment before nodding his agreement. "Better to kill them in battle than while they sleep, but since they have no honor they don't deserve death by combat....." While Ik'Skull tends to their companion's wounds the young jaguar moves down the pyramid to dispatch the sleeping orcs.
"Now let's see what the ogre was doing."
Manauia takes a moment to mutter a healing prayer over Al Suresh's injured arm.
"Any other tracks? From what I have seen of the Viperhand monsters they often come in groups and tribes, and there may be more nearby."
Orren pulls rope from his backpack to tie up the Orc. He looks up at Otzali, "Yes, if there is something here we should retrieve it".
Each orcs carries 9 cb. The
ogre has 32 cb, and one quill of gold
dust. Most importantly, the ogre
carries a map marked with a
symbol. The ogre also
carries a medallion stamped with
the same symbol from the map.
Manu
Ik' Skull, when she finishes, will return the pyramid where the orcs were attempting to penetrate the walls. She looks for any egresses they might have opened, any ways in that might give the group entrance inside the stone pyramid.
"This is the sigil of Hoxitil. He currently rules over Nexal. He is a powerful priest dedicated to Zaltec, who has been spreading the cult of the Viperhand. He must also be searching for the Cloak."
Orren's perks up at Manauia's statement, "The Cloak? Do you as well seek a Cloak?"
"The feathered cloak -- we discussed this before? It was lost somewhere, perhaps in this very temple, not long ago."
Ironspike rolls up and says, "Who are you two? A Zakharan... won't the gods cease in this comedy." I am Ironspike, this Maztican with me is Hasoctl, we are on a journey to secure the cloak for the great Drakosa. It was originally thought that when the gods Quotal and Zaltec fought the cloak had been destroyed. My patron is of the opposite opinion and therefore we're here."
"One step at a time." Otzali says, looking back and forth between Manauia and Ironspike. "I will see what the ogre wanted."
He takes the offered rope and begins making his way up.
The True World needs the Cloak in these dark times, but in the hands of the Realmsian?
"I too would like to know what the twisted man was after. It must have been important." She moves to help the stronger Otzali any way she can, searching the stone and clearing rocks.
Orren is curious as well and heads inside.
Though cautious and a little suspicious, Manauia has nowhere else to go but to follow the rest of the group.
You ascend to the top of the pyramid and you see where the ogre had started to swing a pick axe where the pyramid walls are slightly cracked.
Ik' Skull takes one of the tools left behind. She hefts it. "I hope that what lies inside is not... hazardous."
She listens at the cracks for a bit. Not hearing anything particularly threatening, she'll try to chip away, relinquishing the tool to someone stronger if the task proves difficult.
Standing at the top of the pyramid, what can Orren see as he looks out?
Otzali takes the ogre's tool but hesitates. "But why destroy the wall? This has stood here for years......there must be a way in without defiling it?"
"I agree, Otzali. These... beings have not shown themselves to be especially clever. Perhaps there is another way, on a different part of the pyramid." With that, Manauia begins making a deliberate and careful search -- though with a structure of this size, that could take some time.
Ironspike looks around and says, "I don't think this is worth the effort trying to break this stone with such crude tools."
"Not everything requires your cold steel to get done, outlander" Otzali says over his shoulder as he makes his way down the pyramid.
Manauia cautiously remains near Otzali, hoping that the former will see something, and staying with someone else for safety.
Al starts feeling the granite blocks but is unable to discern any secret entrances.
"Give me a moment and I can rouse one of the twisted souls. They may speak Nexalan, if they remember any of the old ways. Perhaps they can tell us their purpose here."
The orc oblivious to everything that has happened and now seeing the other two of his friends dead and their leader starts to scream in Nexalian
"Nor I. Payit I can speak a bit but this language I understand very little".
"He asks why we are doing this to him. He may not be fully cognizant of what has befallen him."
"Doing to him? He is a prisoner who will speak as to his reason for being here, an agent of the Viperhand we have heard so much about".
"Cant imagine this creature will have much to say, but question him quickly and be ready to hear lies."
The orc sits there confused not understanding a word and says in Nexali
Manauia speaks up in Nexali and says,
The orc shrugs his shoulders and says in Nexali
"What are they saying?" Otzali asks as his impatience grows. "Anything useful?"
[/ooc]This is a city that was reclaimed mostly by the jungle.[/ooc]
Manauia shakes his head and says, "He says they were just ordered to come here by the ogre. My suspicion is that the ogre was the one who had orders and knew what they were looking for."