Catching sight of the nearest orc, Thozar whips a glob of acid into its face. "Come on Dwarves, let's show these tuskers how to fight!" he roars.
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Two orcs move with the grace of trained warriors, and close in on Belir, drawing their falchions, while the third (blue) lobs a blackened, burned out goblin’s skull with an ember glow lights the beady eyes.
It just barely catches Belir, but it is enough. Upon hitting him and shattering, Belir bursts into flames.
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The flames wash right over Belir. He raises his shield too late to cover his eyes, though it doesn't seem to bother the rest of the orcs as the flaming explosive cascades over him.
He screams in pain as a falchion slices into his side. "Gah! They was ready fer us."
Slashing his axe he steps out of the way to allow the orcs to filter out the door.
Stepping back he moves next to Thozar to help protect him.
Seeing his kinsman catch on fire, Kramgyr hastily reached out a hand which glowed with arcane light. Touching the worst of the burns, he began to heal.
Suppose the hounds did make a bit of a racket. Ulark says as he trundles forwards. Seeing Belir badly scorched, he calls out:
Careful! Fall back if it gets too hot in there!
Big Red steps out and swings his falchion at Belir, putting everything he can muster into it. It is a wild swing and cuts nothing but air.
Green, finding himself cut off, grabs a goblin skull from his bag and throws it at Kragmyr. Luckily, the grudgemeister ducks in the nick of time.
As the skull shatters on ground behind him, the orcs face turns ashen, as he knows what is coming. He bursts into flames, and the fires catch, causing him to continue to burn!
Blue runs to the door, falchion now in hand as well.
Belir - HP 8/39 AC 24/11/23 (+4 vs Giants) CMD 18
Gundar - HP 42/42 AC 22/12/20 CMD 19
Kragmyr - HP 43/43, AC 18/12/16
Thozar - HP 35/35 AC 18/12/16 CMD 15
Torith - HP 36/37 AC 18/14/14 CMD 17 (+4 vs trip/bull rush)
Ulark - HP 39/40 AC 19/10/19 CMD 18 +2 Nat AC for 50 minutes
Now that the fighting had turned into a melee, Kragmyr turned his two etheral axes towards the orc with the red tunic.
"Thozar, flank him!"
[ooc]Delay action for Thozar to five foot step up. Kragmry will then do the same, and attack, so that he can get a flank bonus
He planted one of his axes firmly into the orc's chest, and then swung with his second at the brute's leg. As he did so, he yelled "Belir! Back off lad! Ulark will take ye spot in the line."
After running back from the storeroom Torith skids to a halt to see an explosion of fire hit his friend.
"You're not the only one who can hurl elemental energy around..." mutters Torith as gathers some earth and rock and tries to hurl it over the heads of his dwarven friends to hit the orc.
Even before seeing the result of his attack Torith starts to moves further around the building to try to get a better look inside.
"Right!" Thozar calls back to Kragmyr and steps to the side, brandishing his quarterstaff and taking a swing.
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You're a stubborn one Belir Ulark yells as he stabs out. Still the corners of the dwarf's mouth curl upwards as the 'clan' lands well-struck blow after blow.
for
Red takes hits from every angle, cutting him to pieces. Ulark steps on the orc remains as he cuts deep into Green, killing him as well. Finally, Torith blasts over everyone to slam Blue in the face with a significant hit.
Given the sudden and devastating turn of events, the blue orc steps back, drops his weapon, and shouts "Mercy!" in the common tongue. He is clearly beaten.
”A prisoner is useful for information, but what mercy have they ever shown our people?”
Trusting his kin to kill the orc if need be, he went to work patching up Belir.
Mercy doesn't mean no justice. But there may be issues more to the fore.
To the orc, Ulark barks in Common. Stay there and be still for now! Moving into the room he kicks the orc's weapon far away from him as he moves towards the bound woman. Working to untie her, he says There, safe now. Now speak: who are you, and what happened here? Anyone else about?
"Agreed, we can off him once he has explained what's going on."
Thozar stows his orcbane quarterstaff and begins searching the room while the others handle the orc and the woman. Naturally they were ransacking the place, but what else can we learn...
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Belir - HP 29/39 AC 24/11/23 (+4 vs Giants) CMD 18
Gundar - HP 42/42 AC 22/12/20 CMD 19
Kragmyr - HP 43/43, AC 18/12/16
Thozar - HP 35/35 AC 18/12/16 CMD 15
Torith - HP 36/37 AC 18/14/14 CMD 17 (+4 vs trip/bull rush)
Ulark - HP 39/40 AC 19/10/19 CMD 18 +2 Nat AC for 50 minutes
The woman thanks you profusely.
"My name is Calrianne Blix. I was stationed here to provide support for those wishing to travel inland to Castle Firrine. These orcs caught me off-guard. I managed to get a few of them and their foul wolves, but they simply overpowered me. Thank you so much for your assistance, fine dwarves! Tell me, how did you happen to come upon us? Are you headed to the castle?"
The orc, who is grovelling and seems happy to answer your questions in hopes that it will secure his release, tells you that the orcs were planning to sack several of the way stations along the river in preparation for a larger assault against Castle Firrine.
All by yourself? Ulark looks at the woman with newfound admiration. Hate to see you in a fight then. The two wolves you had left managed to get some good bites out of us and we had 'em outnumbered!
As the orc behind him desperately betrays his plans, the warrior's expression turns stern again. We weren't headed to this castle o' yours. Whole raid of orcs struck Trunau week or so back, seem to be gathering more and more of them out by Redlake Fort. We decided best not to let them gather and take the strike to them. But if there's orcs about... he looks back to the other dwarves. How far afield's Firenne?
"It seems that Trunau isn't the only place that the orcs are looking to overrun then. Maybe some new leader has got them all riled up and spoiling for a fight?"
"Might be a good break from that raft we've been bound to. I'd also rather not give a horde of orcs a castle to hole up in, it's hard enough as it is to kill them all!" Thozar adds in, his overall mood rapidly improving.
"Unless this castle is days off, I say we help them out. We know what orcs can do, we don't need to let them suffer at their green hands."
________
Calrianne grows visibly excited when you mention your mission to infiltrate Redlake Fort, and quickly produces a map of the abandoned border fort.
"If the orcs are planning an attack, this is where they will be coming from. An interesting fact, one of my ancestors, a man named Fabian Blix, was the fort’s cleric back in the day. Fabian died during the final siege of the fort, but one of his sons, my great-grandfather, escaped through a hidden sewer tunnel."
Calrianne’s map shows the majority of Redlake Fort, including the sewer tunnel (area marked), which Calrianne believes is submerged. "It might be a way to sneak in."
"Hey, while you are in there, I would really be interested to know of Fabian’s fate, should you learn anything about him while there..."
"Do you have any idea when the siege will take place? A chance to prepare some spells for the occasion would go a long way, but I think we'll be ok if not," Thozar asks.
Catching on to her subtle facial expression, he decides to dig further. "And what are you hoping we find about Fabian Blix? You seem a little unsure about it..."
________
As Thozar presses her, Calrianne reluctantly opens up more. "The stories passed down in my family say Fabian was a despicable, vile man. My great-grandfather rarely spoke of his time at the fort, but I recall that mention of the fort or its castellan caused him to go pale and visibly tremble. But I want to know the truth!"
"As a reward for such a daring rescue, I want to give you something. I have a saddle in the stable of great value. I want you to have it."
Was just good fortune that we came upon you when we did. Ulark says, though he accepts the gift in the spirit it is offered. Do you think you can hold your own here until reinforcements come?
The dwarf turns to the orc still breathing. Also, you're the justice in this station and land then? Imagine this one has done enough to face the gods. It'll be swift and painless, but I can make it final.
"Yes, I won't be caught off guard again! But I suspect you will have more trouble than I will."
Looking at the orc, the lady knight shakes her head. "Yes, he clearly deserves to die. I have no doubt I was destined to be killed... or worse... but did you agree to show him mercy? I can keep him trussed up until we can get him sent to the castle. They may want to question him more thoroughly as well."
You get the impression that she feels in control of the situation.
"Yes, I won't be caught off guard again! But I suspect you will have more trouble than I will."
Looking at the orc, the lady knight shakes her head. "Yes, he clearly deserves to die. I have no doubt I was destined to be killed... or worse... but did you agree to show him mercy? I can keep him trussed up until we can get him sent to the castle. They may want to question him more thoroughly as well."
Ulark nods. Mercy, yes. But mercy doesn't mean consequecnes never come due. Still, you and your forces have him in hand now: if you think he should be trussed and sent east, that's your call to make.
Of course, as you return to the boat, you recall that the Captain has cargo to unload. The crew gets to work once you give the all clear, carting in piles of armor and weapons.
"We'll rest here for the night and set out again first thing in the morning."
The night passes peacefully.
Belir - HP 30/39 AC 24/11/23 (+4 vs Giants) CMD 18
Gundar - HP 42/42 AC 22/12/20 CMD 19
Kragmyr - HP 43/43, AC 18/12/16
Thozar - HP 35/35 AC 18/12/16 CMD 15
Torith - HP 37/37 AC 18/14/14 CMD 17 (+4 vs trip/bull rush)
Ulark - HP 40/40 AC 19/10/19 CMD 18
”Feeling better, lad? Ready to earn a saga to our names?”
Early in the morning, you set off. It isn't long before your reach the end of the Ketral River, and turn back towards Belkzen on the River Esk. Going upstream now, the horses are hitched along both banks to pull the boat against the current. You now fully understand the importance of the horses!
Several miles up the River Esk, as the keelboat’s draft horses slowly pull the boat upstream, a crude dam constructed of large boulders, animal carcasses, and mud blocks the keelboat’s route upriver.
Torith sees an aquatic man climbing up the side of the boat on the north, as Gundar just catches a whiff of one on the other side.
The creatures attack! But Gundar and Torith get the drop on them and can move first.
Belir - HP 30/39 AC 24/11/23 (+4 vs Giants) CMD 18
Gundar - HP 42/42 AC 22/12/20 CMD 19
Kragmyr - HP 43/43, AC 18/12/16
Thozar - HP 35/35 AC 18/12/16 CMD 15
Torith - HP 37/37 AC 18/14/14 CMD 17 (+4 vs trip/bull rush)
Ulark - HP 40/40 AC 19/10/19 CMD 18
It was a wonder anyone got anywhere on this accursed river! As the enormous figure begins to haul itself onto the ship, Gundar lets magic flow into his axe, increasing its deadliness to match the size of his foe.
"Kragmyr!" he says, indicating the attacker as he steps to the side. With his fellow, they'd be able to pincer the thing between them.
In addition to this info, you can ask for one more piece of crunch data - such as AC, HP & HD, Special Abilities, Defenses, etc.
Merrows are best described as the aquatic cousins of ogres. Although their green, scaled skin and webbed hands and feet make them appear different, merrows are just as cruel, savage, and wicked as their ogre relatives. The saltwater variety grows much larger than the freshwater variety, but the behavior and society of the two types are otherwise similar.
Merrows are known for pillaging small fishing villages and towns under cover of night. Similar to ogres, merrows have a strong sense of family and typically hunt in gangs, preferring to grab a couple of villagers and head back into the water rather than sticking around and dealing with armed resistance. Merrows have a stronger sense of unity than ogres do, and rarely will the leader of a tribe be challenged. When they have chosen a village or town to plunder, they attack as a gang and share the spoils.
A freshwater merrow is 12 feet tall and weighs 500 pounds. Saltwater merrows easily reach 20 feet tall and 4,000 pounds, and have been known to hunt whales. The two species do not often come in contact, but when they do, feuding and conflict are swift to develop.
Being off the ship and on dry land again was the best rest a dwarf can get. This ship always rocking about makes even my sturdy dwarven stomach turn.
Torith is a little lost in thought and staring off the side of the ship towards the nearest land when he hears and then sees a large scaly creature climbing up the side of the ship.
He hears Gundar shout in alarm from the other side of the ship and shout a warning for anyone near him.
"We got ourselves some kind of fish-giant climbing up the boat lads!" he says with a voice surprised by his own words.
He calls on the power of his connection to earth and lobs a chunk of rock at the creature he can see.
Torith smacks a rock into the blue lug, while Gundar casts a spell.
Green and blue climb on board, there large frames having trouble squeezing past the stables, but they still use nasty claws to attack their targets.
Apparently, these creatures didn't learn how to fight.
Belir - HP 30/39 AC 24/11/23 (+4 vs Giants) CMD 18
Gundar - HP 42/42 AC 22/12/20 CMD 19 Lead Blades for 10 rounds
Kragmyr - HP 43/43, AC 18/12/16
Thozar - HP 35/35 AC 18/12/16 CMD 15
Torith - HP 37/37 AC 18/14/14 CMD 17 (+4 vs trip/bull rush)
Ulark - HP 40/40 AC 19/10/19 CMD 18
Kragmyr broke into the dirge of Clan Steelheart. The clansmen had finished a commission in Absalom and were returning to the mountains when they were beset by giants. The ambush began with a forced avalanche which destroyed the forward element, and forced the rest of the dwarves to retreat into the clubs of the aggressors. Kragadin Steelheart led the few survivors into a cave, which the giants laid siege to. With nothing but ferried anvils, and last few smiths poured their hatred and desperation into arming themselves. The half-starved dwarves who emerged were said to have wielded weapons that glowed with arcane power, fueled by their raw emotions. Of the smiths, only the youngest beardling managed to break free to tell the tale.
As Kragmyr chanted this, ghostly axes formed in his hands as he moved towards the giants.
"Nice shot Torith! Good to see the earth's might has yet to abandon us, even on these miserable waters!" Thozar calls out as he sheathes his arms in his typical green flames. As the merrow pushes itself out of the stables, he prepares to sling a wave of fire at the giant. "There is nothing but death for you here, you dumb beast!"
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Ulark grabs his axe and hurries forwards into position behind Kragmyr.
Fish-giants? Feel bad for the fish.
Guess I'll inquire as to their HP, then!
With the giant now between him and Kragmyr, Gundar charges back in with his enchanted weapon.
Torith takes a step back from the fish-giant and tries to hurl another rock at the creatures face before it gets to try to claw at him again.
"I'm running out of boat here. Could i get a little help? This thing looks hungry!"
Backed into a corner, Torith tries to blast the water monster again, but he doesn't back away far enough. The long reach of the creature catches Torith off guard, and while not hitting him, causes him to miss his target.
The merrows continue their assault.
Kragmyr is grappled.
+2 Str and 2x natural attacks due to Kragmyr rage
Belir - HP 30/39 AC 24/11/23 (+4 vs Giants) CMD 18
Gundar - HP 42/42 AC 22/12/20 CMD 19 Lead Blades for 10 rounds
Kragmyr - HP 19/43, AC 18/12/16
Thozar - HP 35/35 AC 18/12/16 CMD 15
Torith - HP 28/37 AC 18/14/14 CMD 17 (+4 vs trip/bull rush)
Ulark - HP 40/40 AC 19/10/19 CMD 18
"I'm doing what I can Torith!" Thozar calls back as he launches fire at the Merrow's back.
"Get off of him you poor excuse for a giant! You're weak and dumb, I've seen humans with more gumption than you!" he taunts the Merrow in Giant. Let's see if I can get Torith a little more boat!
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Catching sight of the marrow advancing on Torith from across the stables, Ulark grunts to Kragmyr. Torith’s cornered. You have a handle on this one?
As he speaks, he moves through the stables to strike at the far metros
for
Gundar lets Kragmyr's righteous rage sink into him, empowering his blows.
"We've got this one!" he says to Ulark from around the giant. "Help Torith!"