Arlan watches the giant fall with satisfaction for a moment before advancing upon the nearest orc.
Arlan kicks him in the temple, then steps on his throat when he falls, scowling malevolently.
Varin, seeing the giant fall, rushes forwards, sweeping his hammer towards the nearest orc. Swinging the hammer in a wide arc, Aggrimosh's head slams into an orc's torso, nearly tearing it in half as it flies backwards, propelled by the fourteen feet of Varin currently tromping on the battlefield.
Wulfrum turns a bit, spies the next group and uses his warhammer to slide the first Orc off his shield spikes. He lets out a guttural roar before charging forwards one more in an attempt to slam into another Orc.
"We need them alive remember!"
Lys nods at Nerak, as she aims her crossbow towards another orc. Judging the distance, the contraption lowers as she lets out a bolt in the direction of the orc's shin. The bolt flies, wounding the orc deeply, as indicated by his shriek, as she smiles, reaching into her belt to draw another set of bolts.
Beltzer moves up nearer Arlan and sends out an evil eye toward one of the orcs making it harder for him to attack. "I'll try to weaken one heavily so it'll make it easier to capture."
Arlan watches the giant fall with satisfaction for a moment before advancing upon the nearest orc. Arlan kicks him in the temple, then steps on his throat when he falls, scowling malevolently.
Varin, seeing the giant fall, rushes forwards, sweeping his hammer towards the nearest orc. Swinging the hammer in a wide arc, Aggrimosh's head slams into an orc's torso, nearly tearing it in half as it flies backwards, propelled by the fourteen feet of Varin currently tromping on the battlefield.
The lasat two orcs in melee wildly swing and then fall unconscious. One falchion bites between Wulfrum's armor and draws blood.
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 46/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
Wulfrum grunts and steps back a bit. He looks down at the cut into his side. He looks back at the others and notices everyone is alright. "Good, good. See, not that difficult." he said wiped a bit of blood off his face before looking at the others.
"Depending on what this lot has to say, this might be easier than you think Nerak." he said before spitting on the ground. He planted the warhammer on the ground and looked around at all the Orcs. "You really want all of them? I'd say one maybe two would be plenty...but if you want then tie em up quick and I'll heal em a wee bit." he said with a big sigh.
He shook his hand a bit and placed it over the wound on his side.
It cleaned up a bit of the wound but he'd have to bother with it a bit more once a decision had been made.
Nerak jogs up to the front liners.
"We need to keep the orcs from dying, tie them up, and then start finding a way to hide this giant's body. We can't have it's dead corpse left for another patrol to find after all."
Maybe the giants would think the orcs killed one of their own. Or if nothing else it would make them nervous of what else is in the wild to make a patrol disappear.
One of the orcs awake after the healing.
Lys moves next to the awakened orc and kneels down. "Good morning, sweetie.", she says cheerfully, before pointing the crossbow in his face. "Now, we're going to ask you some very short and very simple questions, and if you answer, we promise we'll try and play nice." She stands up. "Nerak, Arlan, can you guys take over?", she suggests, taking a step away from the orc. "I don't much like this entire business.", she frowns.
"Rin, can you give me a hand with the bodies? Or, you know, I'll provide you with moral support while you do the heavy lifting?", she adds with a grin, pointing towards the giant and the dead orcs.
I'll roll a Survival or a Stealth check to hide the bodies in a place few might think of, and then Lys and Varin can hide them. What would I want to roll to present a scene with the dead bodies that suggests the three (or four) orcs attacked the giant, and then the last survivor died from his wounds?
Wulfrum steps up and stands before one of the Orcs. "Aye, and I hope you make this fun for me...cause I got a temper and killing the two of you I did ain't itched what cha stirred up in me over those two over there." he said offering a thumb over at the other two dwarves.
He grinned and let the head of the hammer drop between the legs of the Orc he was talking to. "Start telling us about this fort of yours before I start breaking bones only to heal you just enough you don't die."
As Varin looks for the best way to drag the giant away, Lys grabs two of the fallen falchions and looks at Wulfrum with a somewhat darkened face. "Wulfy.", she mutters, putting the two blades on her shoulders. "Nur ... Gehen Sie nicht auf die Ebene, die sie würden. Bitte.", she lets out quietly, before trying to pick up another falchion, before surrendering under the weight with a sigh. I know they're orcs, and they'll probably be dead by sundown. But, you know. Still., she thinks, as she shoulders the blades and trots towards the massive red-headed man dragging a giant by the scruff. "I need a lot more liquor and a lot more fluffy pillows before I should go into morality disputes...", she mumbles to herself, reminiscing of the last time they had a break at the inn. "Though stabbing Arlan might still be on the menu. Fifty-fifty on that one."
The orc stares at Lys, then at Wulfrum. He looks nonplussed and stays silent.
Lys and Varin get about hiding the bodies, the giant body.
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
"Once we are done covering things up. We can move this conversation somewhere more secure and private. Where screams and blood won't draw any attention mostly."
He turns to look pointedly at the orc that is awake.
"Your going to talk, otherwise you will serve as an example for the others. One of you will talk, that one will remain whole and live. Everyone talks given enough time, it doesn't matter to me who it is."
Their was no hint of malice in his eyes or tone, just a chilling businesslike manner. Lorn sits on his shoulder rubbing what passes for it's stony hands together.
As Varin looks for the best way to drag the giant away, Lys grabs two of the fallen falchions and looks at Wulfrum with a somewhat darkened face. "Wulfy.", she mutters, putting the two blades on her shoulders. "Nur ... Gehen Sie nicht auf die Ebene, die sie würden. Bitte.", she lets out quietly, before trying to pick up another falchion, before surrendering under the weight with a sigh. I know they're orcs, and they'll probably be dead by sundown. But, you know. Still., she thinks, as she shoulders the blades and trots towards the massive red-headed man dragging a giant by the scruff. "I need a lot more liquor and a lot more fluffy pillows before I should go into morality disputes...", she mumbles to herself, reminiscing of the last time they had a break at the inn. "Though stabbing Arlan might still be on the menu. Fifty-fifty on that one."
Arlan approaches Lys and stares, slack-jawed, mutated brow furrowed as he strains to remember her reference. Realization dawning, he smiles, and whispers Shh, not now. I have to be 'scary'. Wulf's not scary.
He then approaches the conscious orc and steps on his hand, leaning his face inches from the prisoner's.
We know you don't like the giants. Help us kill them. Or we kill you first. Haven't killed any orcs today, and I'm bored.
The hatred is palpable, and the soldier seems to be earnest in his threat.
The orc is glad that he's wearing the brown pants today. He appears very intimidated by Arlan but doesn't understand, "how to help you kill the giants."
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
Wulfrum looks at Arlan then back at the Orcs
"A little less point and a little more context Arlan. You don't see anyone asking you to list varisian monuments in descending order of historical relevance."
He turns back to the orc.
"What my dwarven friend means plainly is tell us about your tribe, the giants, your relationship with them, and anything else concerning the keep and those with in. The more you talk to me, the less you talk to them."
He points to Arlan and Wulfrum to his side.
"They still look hungry for orc."
He turns to Arlan and Wulfrum with a smugly evil look the orc can't see. Stroking his beard.
The orc starts to spill unleashing an avalanche of information. You learn that morale within the fort is quickly dwindling due to the orcs’ recent defeat at Trunau, as well as the failure of their leader Grenseldek’s proposed alliance and union with someone or something called the Storm Tyrant.
The orc leader, General Karrguk, has already made plans to turn on the other inhabitants of the fort and take the leadership of the tribe back from the giants, as well as claim Grenseldek’s treasure for himself.
The orc also discusses the presence of a vile ogre family at the keep. He states that these degenerates lived in the fort before Grenseldek arrived and are unhappy with her domination. The ogre patriarch, Gutterunch, practices foul magic in the keep’s basement.
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
Nerak steps away from the orc and motions for the others to come over.
"I'm thinking we can make a temporary alliance with this orc chief. Get him to help us deal with the giants he doesn't like. That way we can even up the odds and have a good chance of surviving this."
Wulfrum looked up at Nerak as he motioned them over. He nodded at Varin and let him take charge of the prisoners for a bit as he went over to Nerak. Once the others were there, he listened for a bit and another lost his cool at Nerak's words.
"Blast it boy, I know you're a thinker and all but you honestly think we can trust these Orcs....let alone, get the other dwarfs to join in on your plan. These bastards tortured um, and don't get me started on the fact that they are a part of the attack on our home." he said practically biting his lip to the point of bleeding not to go off on him.
Lys shuffles into the group, biting into a blade of grass as she listens to Nerak's idea. "Well, Nerak...", she says, her face revealing a serious consideration of the idea, and hinting she is rather displeased by it. "This sounds like a good plan for disaster...", she suggests. "Although... divide and conquer, wasn't that one of those things military brain people said? If we use the orcs to kill the giants, we can then turn on the orcs. Ugh.", she finishes, crossing her arms with a frown. "This kind of makes me feel dirty, but it's the best plan we've got." Taking off her hat and letting her hair go, she looks at the rest with a quizzical expression. "Why do we feel okay killing them, but not lying to them? Just saying, as a human, I feel better about being lied to, than to being killed. A little bit.", she chuckles.
Nodding at Nerak, she sits down on the ground. "Sure, let's do it. Get the orc to call his chieftain, and we'll work together.", she finishes, staring at the distance.
Nerak expected this.
"Wulfrum, we are tasked with ending the threat to our home. The orcs we can handle as we have for years. More so when those orcs are in the dozens not hundreds. We can not handle giants or an orc and giant alliance. The giants are the bigger threat no matter how you look at it. If working with orcs means ending that threat then I will do it, regardless about how I feel about it. Our home and the lives of it's people are more important then my feelings on the matter. More to the point we can not fight both the orcs and the giants, not separately and most certainly not allied."
They needed to look pass what was in front of them.
"By forming a temporary alliance, we stand a better chance of wiping out the giants. The orcs take on the rank and file while we go after the commanders. This makes our job easier while having two of our traditional enemies killing each other. Even in the worst case where we fail, the giants will kill all the orcs for their betrayal. Their own forces broken for the act of killing us all. Leaving a few giants, in the best case we prevail and the giants are dead. Then we have a weakened tribe in no position to be a threat to our home from the losses at the hands of the giants. Should they be foolish enough to turn on us then we wipe them out as well."
He raises a finger.
"But on the off chance that they keep their word after the agreement. We let them go, what would such a small tribe do from so far away with such small numbers. Nothing at all for years, I would even go so far as to say they would be lucky to last long as some other tribe or monster will want the keep. We don't want it, need it, or even have the ability to occupy it properly. It's worthless to us. Also in case I have not said it enough, we are not here to kill every orc in this damned so called nation. We are here to end a threat to our home, in the best and most survivable way."
Umlo joins the small discussion, "Well Droja, General Karrguk's half-orc concubine, healed me repeatedly and promised to free me when the time was right... which was when her foretold heroes finally arrived (something he doubted would ever happen until now). She is very interested in meeting you and has assured me that she would help your cause."
Lys chuckles. "Ah, the cliche.", she mutters, nodding. "So spare the concubine.", she nods, taking a crossbow bolt from her hip and starting to twirl her hair around it. "So, does she see the future, or something? Or has she warned the chief? Could it be...", Lys stops being jittery all of a sudden, then shakes her head. Yep. Be more paranoid, Lys, that helps deep in enemy ground.
"Nothing. Well, Nerak makes a lot of booooooo...", Lys blurts out, "...ooooring sense, as usual, so let's go and meet that orcish leader." She nudges Nerak. "So, pray tell, oh wisened one, which fork should I use on the orcish table? Do I start with the dwarf fork, or is that for desserts only? And how do I curtsy?"
Wulfrum looks back and forth and around the group. What in Torag's name was going on here. He threw his hands up and snorted "Fine, fine...Let's make friends with the bastards." he said as he spun around and stormed off to fume in a corner for a bit.
Lys crosses her arms, pacing towards the old dwarf. She sends a wide smile at Wulfrum. "Aw, come on. I'm suuuure in a couple of weeks you and that General Troutgut will be braiding each other's hair and talking about boys.", she giggles. Her smile disappears in a moment, though, as she leans on her crossbow. "Yeah, I feel a bit like being an orcish mercenary at this point, too, and that doesn't tickle me in my happiest places. And we do mix that with some planned treason, so that's even more of a c$*&y feel." She spins around the crossbow and sits, landing in a patch of grass, staring sadly in the distance.
"Uncle Wulfy,", she says, "I've picked up the whole 'No Gods, No Masters' thing pretty much the moment I walked out of Nirmathas.", she says, sounding sadder than most have ever heard her. "And, uh, I'm pretty sure I'm not actually a dwarf by birth, believe it or not. But... What would Torag say about the means and the ends?", she asks honestly, reaching into her pouch to draw out a small winesack, and passes it along.
Arlan spits a blood red gob on the talkative orcs foot, and growls gutturally. He puts his mutated brow inches from the captives face and narrows his eyes.
I hate giants, more than I hate you. We'll help you kill the big ones. You saw what we did to him, he says, gesturing to the dead giant.
But if you turn on us, I'm going to kill YOU last. So I can take my time.
He then turns his back on the orcs and nods to the others. Let's go cut down some ugly trees.
"Let's not be to trusting Lys. We let one orc go to deliver the message with a neutral meeting place in mind. If they accept we can make sure they don't bring the whole gang and see where that goes. Make sure this orc woman is with them too is my suggestion. She has a little more credit in my eyes from what our friend told us. I'll leave the details to you, I have spells to prepare. Better safe then sorry after all."
You send one of the orcs back to the fort to make a meeting: back here at dawn tomorrow. You hold one of the unconscious orcs hostage, while you hide the last two dead orcs' bodies with the giant's body. You spend the night hiding out without event.
The next morning General Karrguk arrives at dawn with a small entourage: his concubine Droja and four orcs. Two of the orcs carry a heavy chest, that they set down when their general stops.
General Karrguk wears half-plate and a platinum holy symbol of Gorum as an amulet. Sheathed on his back are a greatsword and two javelins. He is a heavily muscled and cunning orc.
Droja wears armor made up of bones under a cloak and carries a longspear. She is a half-orc with searching eyes.
After a minute pause, the general advances four more steps while his entourage holds. He growls, "What do you want?"
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
Lys shuffles on the spot nervously, only stopping when the orc general gives his questions. "Oh, you know, the usual.", she mutters to herself almost imperceptibly, as her eyes stop on the massive greatsword. "A tall, mysterious Varisian...", she mumbles, moving her sight toward the concubine's armour. "A journey to Tian...", she continues, her eyes staring at the orcs. "Golarion-wide peace...", then finally stopping on the chest. "And a unicorn pony.", she finishes, sending one more appraising look at the general, before leaning heavily on her crossbow."Maybe a bit late for the pony, though.", she clears her throat.
Arlan looks at the leader and nods. I want to make a necklace out of your teeth, but we can't always get what we want, can we? So we'll have to settle for somethin' we all want instead. Killing the giants. We've killed a few of 'em already, and we know you want 'em dead. Your boy told us that one of the big bastards can cast spells too. Probably best if we work together to take 'em out, don't you think?
Nerak chimes in.
"We are here to repay those that schemed against us. The giants are the ones to blame, yet they hide from us behind walls and your tribe. More to the point they treat you little better then slaves for the blood and death of your warriors. Why not show them that was a mistake with our help. We get what we want and you get a new keep for your tribe. With a few giant trophy's to show what happens to those that cross you."
Orcs were not hard to figure out, they had a brutal and bloody culture. But it was none the less a culture, with it's own customs and values.
Wulfrum looked at the others as they tried to reason with the orcs. He tilted his head and shook it.
He was pretty certain that what they had said wouldn't work with an Orc leader unless he was a lot smarter and better reasoning than their species gave them credit.
He stepped forwards and planted his warhammer. "I can go with you and kill a common enemy...or you can stand in my way, and I'll be happy to put you down like the idiots who challenged us before. I dare you to make me use force to persuade you." he said snarling.
The general looks nonplussed at Lys, Arlan and Nerak. He shifts uneasily following Wulfrum's threat.
After an uncomfortable pause, he growls to clear his throat and says, "My terms: You hurt no more orcs. You kill all giants and ogre family. Then, you leave fort to me and my tribe. In trade, I give you two unguarded entrances."
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
Wulfrum stared for a few seconds and mulled over the terms that the Orc presented. He was still clearly not pleased to be even coming to an arrangement of any kind with the group. All the same though, he spit on the ground and held out his hand.
"Aye, I'll agree to it...Provided you agreed to my own addition to the terms. You and your tribe, gathering, army...whatever you wanna call it, agree not to attack or harass the settlements surrounding or close to Trunau. Do that and myself, these guys, and the Dwarves of the mountains surrounding Trunau will agree to the treaty. However, if tracks are found leading back to your fortress or rumors are spread and are found to have merit, I'll be sure to be a part of the next army to come break every last one of your kneecaps." he said staring at the man while holding out his bare hand to finalize the spoken agreement.
So all we have to do is kill your enemies for you and in return you...let us kill them? Afraid to get your hands dirty yourself? What would Gorum say? Your sword looks sharp. Why don't you come with us, let's see who can cut down the most ogres? And what's in the chest?
The general nods to Wulfrum and grunts at Arlan's reply, which might be chuckle.
After another uncomfortable pause, he says, "Giants and ogres are not enemies. They are oppressors. If I help you attack, my women and young will be eaten. My tribe is not only warriors."
"Chest contains something I am willing to give to close deal. What do you have to close deal?"
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
Arlan nods. Then we have more in common than I thought. We want to protect our people, just like you. To close the deal, I'll give you my word that I'll kill every last giant in that fort. And afterwards, I'll bring you the head, or ears, or whatever you want from their leader to prove that the job is done.
The general nods at Arlan's reply, appearing to expect nothing less.
He makes no move toward his wooden chest.
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
Wulfrum stares at the box and looks up at the Orc "So your not joining the fight then? I can understand worrying for your family and I ain't interested in pressuring yah. But, I assume your brought that to bribe us yea? If that is something you thought would change our minds and get us to help yah, then I'm curious what it is. If it's useful in a fight, I wouldn't mind saying no to having it instead of your help even if it's temporary. I can say on my honor, I'd leave it behind on the last Orge's dead body even if you wish to keep it...but if it's useful, then I'd only think it in your best interest to offer it temporarily yea?" he said staring at the Orc and the crate respectively.
The general grunts at Wulfrum's reply, and growls, "Chest not bribe. Not gift. Trade. I give you two unguarded entrances, and we honor the deal."
He makes no move toward his wooden chest.
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
Wulfrum pulled out his pipe and took a seat. He propped his arm up on the pummel of his warhammer and began filling his pipe. He seemed to completely ignore the situation at present till smoke began to lazily flood from the opening. "Trade? Well, you think you can trade something that's a mystery? Open it up and show us so we can all be on our way...I imagine you have an idea of what you want from us?" he said tapping his armored fingers against the plating on his leg impatiently.
Nerak shot the dwarf an annoyed look. He was going to provoke the orc for no reason and throw away the agreement. He was not going to count on an orc's sense of self control after all.
"What my short and stumpy companion means is we leave the honor of displaying your trade goods up to you or one of your own."
The general scowls, hocks, and spits on the ground. "Two entrances: mountainside of fort, water flows from wall through iron grate. You can enter there."
"Riverside of fort between middle towers, secret entrance in wall behind my tent."
"Which do you choose? When will you go?"
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
Wulfrum looked to the others. "If it were just me...I would say the iron grate. The less this looks like collusion the better....and high noon. It would give clout as to why your people didn't see us."
Arlan shrugs. I don't give a damn, I'll open the chest. And pick whatever entrance y'all want.
Arlan makes a move to open the chest and will, unless the orc stops him.
The general steps between Arlan and the chest. He looks down on him and growls, "Chest not yours. Chest mine."
Usual Twisted Nail AC 14
Arlan = AC 27 & 76/76
Beltzer = AC 16 & 58/58
Lys = AC 21 & 66/66
Nerak = AC 14 & 48/48
Wulfrum = 60/60 & AC 23
Ingrahild = AC 18 & 55/55
Varin if NPC
Umlo
He ask a simple question.
"Then why did you bring it?"
No one made it a habit of bring a chest of anything around with them, much less to meet an enemy.