Rose can tell the orc is not being honest.
Standing behind the Orc with his blades in its back Talirin shakes his head no to Rose when she poses the question. (where the Orc can't see).
Perhaps we should tie them up and talk about our next move?
Perhaps they will, though if we can help it, I would prefer not to have to resort to such barbaric means. Lershoths tail twitches in disgust.
Still, I suppose that will depend on what our friends here have to say, or not say as it might be.
Lershoth gives them a cruel smile. Before moving up to Rose to whisper in her ear.
One way or another, I think it would be best to not take them any further inside than necessary. If one of them were to escape, best not to give them too much information. They might also unsettle people.
While the others discuss what to do with the Orcs, Jalel steps around to the side. "I agree with Lershoth, no reason to resort to barbaric measures yet."
He then casts a spell on the Orc, his eyes flashing yellow.
"Come now friend, tell me, how close is your chief?"
The orc gives Jalel a friendlier look (For an orc at least)
than the others.
"I'll tell you. Your not like the others." He lowers his voice as he continues, "But don't tell the others. The chief is in the mountains over there" He points North. Jalal can see large snowcapped mountains at least 25 miles away. "There is a cave that leads to our tribe."
Tal's cat eyes grow wide as he sees the magic Jalel utilizes.
He whispers to Rose, More effective than the blade. Let's learn what we can. If they find out about us know, while we are weak, it will come to war, and we will probably not win. They probably will outnumber us.
I have a plan though that I think will buy us some time...
Polmar considers the problem.
"I could probably stitch together some sandbags for us to stack up? If we get the other villagers smashing rocks to fill up the bags we could have a wall up to snipe from behind in a day or two." Polmar nods
"What do you think Rose? Is that a wise use of manpower?"
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I'll tell you what's not, dying. But I'd prefer to see what Jalel can come up with. I'd rather enfold them but the Orc seems to think it's not likely, not surprising considered what happened to them under the Baron. If it's a small tribe an assault might be better, We'd lose a lot of building material if we had to smash our supply for sand bags.
Jalel nods to the Orc.
"Yes. How large is your tribe? Clearly you are more powerful than they are. Are there other scouting groups like yours nearby?" Jalel whispered conspiratorially to the Orc, while indicating the group around them.
The orc tried to hide a grin as he said lowly, "There are many. Very many. Of course we have others scouting nearby. Some that way." He nods East. "Some over there" He nods south. "And there." He then nods west. "All around. And soon closer."
Nephele frowns slightly. "Is it worth sending out a scouting party to establish what sort of terrain is nearby, or to perhaps give a better estimate as to how much time we might have to prepare?"
Jalel smiled at the Orc and let his gaze narrow quickly at the others before resuming a more neutral look. "Let me speak with them for now. You've gotten yourself into a tough situation I'll see what I can do for you and your remaining companions... Bosnauk." Jalel finished, using one of the few words he had retained over so many years.
He then walked over to the main group.
"The Orc claims he came from a mountain some 25 miles north or there about. He also claims there are many other scouting groups from all directions. Letting them go is probably a bad idea, and scouting seems like a worse one. He seems confident in his leaders ability so he isn't likely to be lying."
The orc nods in response.
To Rose:
I don't think Nephele's idea is a bad one, it would be helpful to get an idea of where the Orc scouting parties are at. And, as you suggested, deal with them appropriately.
But also it would be good what else is out there, if we survived and the Orcs survived, there might be others too. Or worse...
I don't doubt we should fortify our home, but we need to know what exactly we are contending with and if there are others would either join with or have to defend against..
[ooc]Other nearby settlements, small communities, etc that were know about before the fog.
Mostly grassy hills and plains, though now there is a large forest East. There are a dozen or so large rocks A couple miles South. There is a beach, on the west edge of the city ruins.
Most of the known caves were north in the mountains, where the orcs are. After the Duke chased out the orcs in the East, A knights camp was made to keep watch over the area. Though that was probably lost in the quickly grown forest.
South 10 miles or so was a small village of 30 small houses.
The closest City like yours was 250 miles South East.
Rose when you asked the orc a question he just grinned evilly and said nothing.
"Ooh! Ooh! Benny is super sneaky and masterful in diplomacy. Let me come with you. I've got a good couple bullets left."
Benny absolutely bounced at the idea of travel, he grinned from ear to goblin-y ear.
Rose, we should try to lead the path away from this area to delay our discovery. If we place the Orc's bodies between our area and theirs it may look like the Orcs met a bad fate away from our area and perhaps delay them exploring near here.
Otherwise they might know they were supposed to look in this area and send a larger group to investigate.
Polmar thinks on it a moment
"What if we just cover the ground here? Just create a road/trail thus covering the battle. Any ammo laying about is our own and could easily have been for hunting game or something."
"Well...hmm. We don't necessarily need to cover the damage. Just place them wisely near game trails and hope that animals take care of it.
" Well to be fair, your majesty but we've been but 10 feet from the fog door al this time. Maybe we should look? Otherwise, our best option is...well rather grisly and that would be to burn their bodies and bury the ashes in the caves. Nothing else is fool-proof in terms of detection and we have no idea if they were organized enough for their friends to know to come looking here....hence why I suggested covering their tracks"
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Rose turns to Polmar. If you have a problem with me, speak now. Otherwise I'd suggest you look around. The grass in this area is almost as tall as you which means nothing's been eating it. Judging by the giant trees in that direction, She points. We can be fairly sure the area the fog settled on was huge. Especially since the Orcs were underground too. We know the fog was toxic.
We know nothings been eating this. We know predators follow the prey. So do not presume me an idiot. If the animals ventured this way they would die, it will take more than a few hours for the animals to make their way into this area. That said, burning does present some possibilities. If we set them far off and burn the plains maybe add some oil to their bodies to be sure, it should be enough to obscure the blades. And the ashes from the grass would provide good soil for planting. Have I settled your doubts about my mental acuity?
the wind starts to shift as you all hear, Flap, flap, The sound of very large wings. As you all look to see what it could be. A massive Dragon coming from the South. Guesstimated length 10,000 feet. with a wingspan almost twice that. The sun is blocked out as it flies ever nearer. Some distance away to the South, you can hear panicked yelling. It does not sound orcish. It sounds human...
The dragon flies at least 15,000 feet or so overhead blowing rubble and benny about. The orcs cry out in fear. But luckily the dragon does not notice any of you and just flies North toward the mountains. Where many orc yells can be heard. The dragon though flies further North deep deep into the mountains. and landing somewhere beyond. At least 150 miles or so away from all of you.
Polmar smirks and points "See, a predator!"
Polmar scurries up the mountain to get a view of what the Dragon is doing, trying to stay hidden.
Who made the plants grow? Perhaps they can be helpful with the signed of the battle.
Talirin moves to the lead. Let me take the lead, no point in risking yourself needlessly. he whispers, then sneaks on.
"Oh gods", Nephele gasps staring in awe at the strong as best as she can while huddling to avoid its gaze. "That thing is massive", she mutters, before deciding to follow Rose's plan, moving the orc bodies into the cave mouth.
Jalel froze in sheer terror as the Dragon flew overhead.
Images mostly imaginings from the stories he had heard of the giants came unbidden to his mind and he began to shake uncontrollably.
How... how did anyone ever think they could possibly deal with something so massive. We don't matter to things that size. It doesn't matter who controls the surface this is a death trap.
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Who made the plants grow? Perhaps they can be helpful with the signed of the battle.
Talirin moves to the lead. Let me take the lead, no point in risking yourself needlessly. he whispers, then sneaks on.
Rose nods at Talirin and lets him take the lead as they move towards the yelling from the south.
Lershoth kind of stands there, initially annoyed at the bickering and then becomes fascinated at the site of the majestic beast.
Would you look at that thing, I don't think I remember ever reading of one so large. I must get a closer look if I can.
Despite his fascination he is quite scared of the dragon.
Lershoth grumbles a little before helping move the bodies. Jalel, you think you could convince your 'friend' and his compatriots to come inside peacefully?