Lorcan, out of spells, and down to 1 hit point, is forced to retreat. He quietly swears vengeance as he double moves for the exit motioning for the others to follow.
Grimacing as he takes the blow high on his shoulder, Zoros is force to drop Calendir and withdraw with Turk.
His face is screwed up in anguish at the horrible , wonderful glory of the sacrifice of Calendir and Meztli. As he joins the others,emerging back into the light of day "They will not be forgotten! This place will be purged! Purged!"
"It sucks that we had to withdraw,
But we don't really have a choice at the moment."
Turk refuses to leave his fallen comrades, and fights desperately to give the others time to escape.
Ingrid, Zoros and Lorcan exit the cave and find themselves much more exposed than the exit of the ogre lair, which exited under a canopy of trees. They can see a rough trail down the exposed hillside to the road back to town.
It appears the merchant, lady and guard have been captured by a group of orcs matching the tribal markings of the orc prisoner you found imprisoned. You think the prisoner may have been important to the orcs if a warband was nearby looking for a chance to free him. Seeing the distraction created by the trio, the trip to the road seems unobstructed. The bright light makes it difficult for the orcs to observe you as they retreat into a cave across the ravine.
As you prepare to camp in a safe spot near the patrolled road a few hours from the caves, a weary Turk returns with the unconscious bodies of Meztli and Calendir slung over his shoulder.
"It appears the chief was not much for fighting after I hit him again. I wanted the plate armor, but not enough to leave these two unattended."
The trip to the Keep is uneventful as you return down the road. With the wounded stable, it seems best to wait for a sickbed and some divine magic to bring them around the next day.
At Turk's surprising return with the fallen comrades, Zoros exlaims "Oh, well done ,Turk ,well done! You do the Cudgeler's work well, indeed! Come, let us hasten to town!"
Lorcan also praises Turk. So brave and strong. We are lucky to have you. The enemy in these caves is fierce. We need to rethink out strategy and be more organized and focused, as well as better equipped, if we can afford it.
Meztli makes camp, and, using a significant amount of healing the next day, Zoros restores the group to top condition. Meztli and Calendir have two nasty scars as reminders of the brutal encounter with the goblins.
As you secure rooms and celebrate, the next day there is quite some excitement at the keep, and a rich merchant in deep blue velvet robes invites you to a meeting at the merchant's guild.
Two orcs dressed in the tribal clothes and wearing tattoos that seem to identify them as the Boar tribe are inside the Keep! It appears they have returned the merchant, lady and guard after much convincing by the portly merchant. He hands you each 50gp in a small purse for your efforts to rescue him.
The merchant speaks: "These orcs were trying to rescue the son of their chief from the goblins. I told them he died honorably in combat fighting with us, and we were blood brothers. Not believing we could defeat and escape the goblins, I mentioned your help. You can tell Gragas here, how close we were to the son of his chief and how well he died in battle."
The older orc in a battered studded leather jerkin looks at you and nods. "Do tell."
Lorcan stands and speaks. He tries to seem tall as he says We found Gragas a prisoner of the hobgoblins. It was a hard fight to reach him and the other prisoners that included the merchant here. We were sorely wounded as a group and had expended much of our fighting ability to win through to where the prisoners were kept. We recognized that we would need all our remaining strength and then some to fight our way back out. We chose to free Gragas and to trust him. As part of freeing him we asked him for details of the cave systems he knew. He agreed to tell us of what he knew except for the areas his tribe claimed. It was clear me that he would have chosen any death before betraying the tribe he loved. We did not demand such information from him though, and instead offered that if we all should live that there should be a friendship between his tribe and our group. To this he agreed. He proved true and fought like a brother beside us. He killed more than one hobgoblin in that fight and I know the few hobgoblin survivors will speak in whispers and with fear of the fierceness of the Boar tribe. He then looks to the others to add to his story.
After everyone who wishes to speak has done so Lorcan steps closer to the orc and finishes I did not know Gragas long but am proud to say I trusted him and fought beside him. In honor of that bond between him and this group, I offer you that friendship. We will go back and explore the caves near where you live. But we do not have to be your enemies. Is it possible that we could work together?
"Thank you Zoros" - Calendir bows at the cleric as soon as he is strong enough to stand up - "I will not forget this" - he adds turning to Turk - "Nor that you saved me"
-----
As Lorcan speaks with the orcs, the rogue stands back in a shadowed corner, and in silence, observing the exchange but adding nothing.
The orcs look suspiciously and Lorcan and Calendir. "We do not like green skins. They have no honor or dignity."
The merchants smile and look at the group.
The younger orc speaks up. "We have crappy weapons. You take us to get good weapons, good armor and we show you where you should be hunting. The large, cunning goblins are who you should be fighting. We wish to buy sharp blades and metal mail suits."
Turk looks at the entire exchange with his mouth wide open. Speechless, it is hard to read his narrow stare.
While I would like nothing better than to hell arm Boar tribe I fear there may be laws in the fort about that. but if you have coin to spend I would be pleased to ask on your behalf. Alternatively, when we find arms and armor in our explorations I do not think there would be a rule against trading them fairly to you.
Zoros watches the drama unfold, arms crossed across his chest, leaving the talking to those with more silvered tongues.
"The orc fought and die nobly, even honorably, but they're still orcs. Arming them may be a mistake. " he murmurs to Calendir at his side.
The head merchant has the orcs in the guest suite in the merchants guild, leaves a few soldiers to watch them, and goes with you to the inn to discuss things further.
"We agreed to pay a reward to the orcs. It amounts to about a thousand gold. The Ulek forces probably would not approve of the orcs having weapons, and we probably cannot be seen giving them weapons. But providing you some weapons is fine. If you are going to continue to explore the caves, we do not want to limit your options."
Turk snorts. "I am off-duty, but I don't like where this conversation is going. I will excuse myself."
Zoros watches the drama unfold, arms crossed across his chest, leaving the talking to those with more silvered tongues.
"The orc fought and die nobly, even honorably, but they're still orcs. Arming them may be a mistake. " he murmurs to Calendir at his side.
"Not really my favoured course of action" - the elf nods at Zoros - "The alternative is to let all this fall through the cracks, and press on our own - we will eventually find the goblins, whether the orcs assist us or not"
Lorcan takes a stand. I cannot sell these fine orcs weapons if it goes against the rules of the keep. We either do it openly or we cannot do it. Perhaps we could speak for them. If they need weapons to defend themselves and they do not pose a threat to the keep themselves...
Later, when Turk joins you, he explains:
"There is a policy against allowing military equipment to go to enemies of Ulek. Most would take these orcs as enemies, especially with the commander being a dwarf. I have noticed dwarves have an unnatural hatred of orcs."
He also adds: "There was also the problem we had with the monstrous prisoner. I couldn't abide to leave him for torture, and it was obvious no one was going to free him. We should work out this problem."
You ponder what to tell the orc before he departs. Obviously they want access to weapons.
Speaking to the others Lorcan recommends Perhaps we can speak on their behalf to the leadership in the keep.
"Pig-faces war with humans," Meztli warns. "No trust."
The merchant representative says:
"I will send them on their way then, unless you want to talk to them? I do not want to antagonize the Keep authorities."
Asking the merchant representative Do you think we could convince the Keep authorities to support this tribe. I personally know very little about them, but I would be willing to learn.
"I think that may be a bad move Lorcan" - Calendir pipes in - "And I have a bad feeling that we will regret it somewhere along the line - I say send them on their way, and we take care of ourselves"
Indeed. Arming these orc may allow them supremacy withing the Caves. Without the other evil-doers to constrain them, they may appear at the wall of the keep in strength!" Zoros opines "One brave and honorable warrior does not pardon that race of it's reputation. T'would be folly to assist them."
The orcs are denied there request for arms, and leave behind a cautious word.
The merchant recites the words as if making sure he gets them right. "Do not approach the caves on this hand." Merchant lifts his right hand.
"You do, and we sound battle horn."
"It is for the best" - Calendir comments dryly.
Spending time in town, you find the merchants have picked up your food and lodging bill until you leave.
Looking at your loot, and deciding not to give the weapons to the orcs, you consider selling it back. You are sure the two suits of chain mail, greatsword, and falchion taken off the hobgoblins probably were kept by the orcs.
After transactions in town, you consider leaving again.
"Ok, I think we are done with buying and selling?" - Calendir comments to his companions - "What next?"
Turk adds:"I'm ready."
"I'm ready as I'll be for the moment."
Lorcan shops for any wizard scrolls that might be available in the town. If he finds none he will keep his money hoping to upgrade his crossbow to Masterwork some day. After a quick shopping trip to discern if any scrolls are to be had he announces that he too is ready to go.
No potions or scrolls are available--no one seems to be demanding them.
Splint mail armor is available at the store, but Turk prefers chain. You remember selling the tapestry to buy your wand.Turk adds: " We need to talk more about executing monsters? Should probably resolve this before we leave."
Zoros hitches this shield up onto his shoulder "I'm ready"
He says to Turk " Yes, lets. In the future, circumstances permitting, let's refrain from the summary execution of bound prisoners, regardless of race. You had your reasons, Turk, I know. "
Turk nods: "Each of us has our own code. And given the amount of squabbling over it, I will probably save us the time and we can talk about it later. If you don't free something, I will set it free one way or another."
Finding the store lacking any but common adventuring equipment, the group sets off. Any inquiries about further healing potions are looked at with some surprise. "Did you not buy the only healing wand the church had?" This fact seems to be common knowledge in the Keep.
Another rumor is heard: An elven village is nearby, but they have seen their share of tragedy. Visitors are not encouraged.
I Understand your position Turk. But please do not free it while we are still discussing it. Lorcan smiles sheepishly at the fighter. Eventyally we may gave to try to visit that elven village to seek access to better gear. Ingrid and Calendir might be able to help with that. The gnome is silent for a while as the group walks. Then he asks What is the plan? Do we seek to clear out and eliminate the hobgoblins? Or shall we explore a new area of the caves? At least we know what area to avoid to not anger the orcs.
The journey to the Caves is uneventful, and you run into a trio of burly dwarves in leathers traveling down the road. They are wearing the insignia of Ulek and appear to be scouts.
They wave to you as you pass and nod.
"Road is clear. Any tobacco to share?"
They hold out a pouch and an exotic smell pervades the area. It is a drink not popular in Ulek called coffee.
"We have this to trade for tobacco."
"Meztli not trust beastmen or pig-faces," Meztli says defiantly.
A shaggy dwarf grunts: "Why should you??"
Unsure of the trio the gnome acts cautiously and a little formal. Well met good dwarves. I fear I do not smoke and have no tobacco. I expect some is to be had back in the Keep only a few(?) hours back. The road is clear our way as well. What are soldiers of Ulek doing out this way?
Having traveled all of a day, you meet the dwarves at mid morning of the next day. You are about eight hours from the caves.
"We are not soldiers, but scouts. Keeping the way clear. Going to visit the commander of the Keep."
Lorcan seems lost as to the difference between soldiers and scouts but nods in agreement. Might you have other items for trade? The keep has few exceptional weapons and even fewer magic scrolls and potions.
Calendir stands protectively close to Lorcan, hands casually resting on his daggers, as if he was simply the gnome's bodyguard - "Would it be too much to inquire what it was that you have been scouting?" - he pipes in - "It seems we are heading in the direction you just came from, so any information would be valuable"
"Do you have any information about what is ahead and in the caves you may have explored?"
The dwarves explain: "We are exploring the roads and the way to the elf lands. Our report is for the Commander, and the Commander alone. But, as a service, we tell travelers when the road is clear."
The ranger laughs: "We would be willing to buy magic. But I do not meet many who would sell it. Anyway, you have asked us four questions with little to trade. You will find us not chatty about the Commander's business."
Turk steps forward and produces his pendant with the symbol of the Ulek guard. The rangers nod, but seem to be no more forthcoming.
"Then that is that" - Calendir adds - "If you have no info that you can share, then we will press on" - he shrugs, turning to the others.
As the group moves on.
"F&^%ing rangers. They think their sh*& doesn't stink." Turk says.
You approach the horseshoe shaped ravine. The first caves to the right are those of the orcs. The two openings on the left (and the one hidden opening) the familiar goblin caves. A light drizzle begins to come down, and you turn up your collars as a chill wind begins to blow.
Back into the goblin caves? or try our luck elsewhere?