:: Pharast 31 - Mid-Afternoon - Exploring the Forest ::
"Andreas... Sir..." the feminine voice rolls his name around a bit, feeling it out. "I would be happy to help you and Medvyed."
The nasally voice follows, "Kazmuk... the dwarf... We accept the ring... We would be happy to help the three of you rid the lands here of bandits and nasty orcses..."
The female voice starts to talk over the other one, "Halfling, you seem... perturbed... though I like your attitude more than the silent one."
"You there." The nasally voices echoes, though you feel Roke is the target "You seem to know what we like..."
Roke bows in the direction of the voice. "Indeed, I do. I have been a guest in courts of the First World. We have these lovely potions I'd like to proffer to you as well." He brings out the golden vial of guidance, the violet potion of good berry and the opaque black potion of protection from good, holding them each up to any available light to bring attention to their colors. "Use them in good health."
Kazmuk smiles and nods. Unsure where to bow, he does so in three different directions. "Verry vell, the next time ve rreturrn to Oleg's, I shall forrge such rring, a symbol of ourr frriendship."
Approaching Rillka, Kazmuk decides to offer her some advice, measuring his words in order not to offend her. "Ve, dvarrves, see a couple things differrently than the humans orr even ya, the small folk, and certainly a lot o' things differrently than the elves. Many say ve arre like stone: blunt, and they arre not vrrong. One thing that is very clear to us, is the idea that absolutely nothin' is frree, even if seems to be. I'll explain, if ya allow me..."
"Ve believe ve alvays have to pay somethin' in orrderr forr us to gain somethin', and the visdom lies in knovin' if vhat ya arre paying is vorrth vhat ya arre receivin'." He makes a pause before continuing. "If ya have feelin's forr someone, ya give herr gifts, orr attention, orr love, in rreturrn o' herr love and attention... if ya vant a house, ya vorrk forr it... if ya vant frriends, ya give yarr time, and so on and so forrth."
"Applying this thought to ourr situation, I believe a rring is a fairr prrice forr these fey crreaturres. Ve do not know these lands. They could be alone herre, a minorr thrreat, orr who knows, citizens o' a huge faerrie kingdom hidden in the voods. Since ve do not know, it is betterr to choose to be frriends vith them, and to be frriends, ya need to give them yarr attention, yarr time. If they vill accept a gift, in me case, a rring, it is a fairr prrice, is it not?" He smiles, thinking he had made his point. "By ecomin' theirr frriends, vill ve only rreceive safe passage, orr somethin' morre? Inforrmation, perrhaps... or a tip o' grreaterr trreasurre that might be important to us yet irrelevant to them?" He poses these questions before adding some more. "On the other hand, if ve attack them, vhat vill be the prrice ve'll have to pay in the futurre? Vill it be cheaperr than a rring?"
In response to Kazmuk, in an overly loud voice, so it is obvious that the fey creatures are meant to hear...
No, it is not fair. It seems that others are content giving away items that belong to us all at the point of a blade. I will fight and die for my friends... but these creatures are NOT friends - friends do not take from you under threat of the lash or point of blade. I am not saying we attack them. Do what you want, but I am saying that they are not and will never be my friends - those that threaten are enemies, they may be pretty orcses, but they are NO different.
Rillka crosses arms and scrunches her face up. She will offer nothing and simply waits for the fey bandits to claim their loot so the group can continue.
Robbed under threat of attack by a bunch of fey... I don't understand them. Not at all.
Andreas continues to step away from the group leaving his weapon still sheathed along his mount.
While the little one's decorum is non existent to say the least. She has a point, one that she feels is important. We are offering you a reward for aiding us in our fight against the Orcs and humans that have brought their evil to these lands...to your home. You want to play with us as we travel, that is up to you. We could not stop you even if we wanted to. We will however reward you with the food and these shiny objects. A reward for helping us with your knowledge of the the area.
Andreas takes a few more steps
The ring that Kazmuk will forge will be a symbol of our friendship, of mutual respect...but...there has to be more than just take from our new friends. We have laid out the offer...We should have the honor of seeing who we are talking with. Let us all take a break from the days travel and speak to one another. As friends do. Face to face.
He turns to the group with a look of hope on his face.
:: Pharast 31 - Mid-Afternoon - Exploring the Forest ::
"Pretty orcses indeed!" the female voice says indignantly at Rillka. "It's a good thing your friends are so nice! If it were just you I wouldn't think you very personable!"
The nasally voice continues, "We will loves the ring! It will be ours, our treasure! We will helps you rid the area of the bandits for it!"
The trees rustle from the direction you come and two figures step out where you can see them. They are both half the size of Rillka, and seem full of energy and movement.
One of the creatures is a small red and blue dragon shaped creature of some kind, though whimsical instead of terrifying. As he introduces himself, his voice has a nasally twang to it, "I am Perlivash. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." He bows his head a bit as he speaks.
"And I am Tyg-Titter-Tut." the feminine voice says, coming from what appears to be a female human body attached at the waist to a grasshoppers body, horns jutting from her forehead. "We know some of you, but what are all your names? And what would you like us to do to help?"
Huh....The halfling sits atop her riding dog, mouth slightly open. She seems to be trying to speak, her hands twitching slightly. But clearly... finally... words escape her.
|
Gird approaches slowly figuring that someone his size compared tot heirs might scare them if he approached too quickly
"Ummm.. awesome, i've not seen Fey up close. I'm Gird which I have said before, i'll let my friends introduce themselves, what can you do to help? Do you know other folk that can help against the bandits? Do you have magical powers that could aid us? Any information would be helpful, please."
Andreas walks towards the two fey creatures.
I am Sir Andreas Eisflake von Ulm...
He kneels down on to one knee in front of their new friends.
...it is a mouthful I know but a proper introduction was in order. You may call me Andreas. It is an pleasure to meet you face to face.
He keeps his voice polite and respectful.
I do not know how long you two were following us and that in of itself is impressive...very impressive.
Nodding towards Gird but still looking at the fey.
My good friend Gird has asked some very important questions. I hope that you can help us. The most important question that I have for you is about the orcs and bandits that are plaguing the region. Of the human bandits we have dealt with some but have not seen any in recent days. We have seen the orc tracks of two different groups. The first one was heading east and fifteen to twenty in numbers. They appear to be loaded down and possible will be moving slower. The second group we came across was heading southwest and was moving fast. A group consisting of eight to twelve orcs. I am almost certain that they are searching for us...almost. Is there anything else in this area that the orcs could be looking for and possible have found already?
:: Pharast 31 - Mid-Afternoon - Exploring the Forest ::
Perlivash replies to the group, "The orcses are new..." his nasally voice echoes. "Evil, bad orcses... some went east, with lots of armor and weapons. Don't know about the other group."
Tig-Titter-Tut, "Only fun places here are the bandit camp the Leggy place! Olegs! And the potion guy!" Tig-Titter-Tut sounds excited at the mention of fun places.
Andreas responds to Perlivash
Thank you for the information. Do you know if the orcs were heavily armed or were they carrying the stuff like they just raiding something.. A treasure of sorts...I guess.
He then turns to Tig-Titter-Tut.
[b]We were able to remove the bandits at the camp. Have been to the potion guy and Oleg's....What is this Leggy place?
Still sitting atop Lucca, Rillka scowls at the little pests, but begrudgingly pulls out her journal to make notes on the location of these fey, and on the off chance they say something useful in response to Andreas' questions.
She will also see if she can tell anything else about them
Perlivash
Tyg-Titter-Tut
:: Pharast 31 - Mid-Afternoon - Exploring the Forest ::
Perlivash replies to Andreas "They just had weapons and armor!"
"Leggy's is Oleg's! Oleg's is ugly to say!" Tyg-Titter-Tut replies.
Perlivash is a fairie dragon of typical size for his kind. Tyg-Titter-Tut is an average grig. Both of them specialize in sneaking, theft, invisibility, and pranks.
There's not really much else to tell about them. They enjoy shiny items, alcohol, gifts and are loyal friends to anyone that can convince them to parley and interact with them helpfully.
Speaking in Sylvan, which I will then translate for those who need it, or Gird can do it on the fly: “Noble Pervilash and Regal Tyg-Titter-Tut, as you know, orcs have no sense of humor at all. Perhaps you’d like to teach them about pranks? You could follow that band east and play all kinds of tricks on them. Wogwort in their stew to make them sick, hiding weapons from them in another tent, making guards fall asleep while on duty. Maybe they can learn to laugh? Of course, they have quite a temper, so make sure to keep yourselves well hidden.”
None of us can force you to do such a task. I can only ask that you observe them and there activities. If you decided to play games with them...well I can not stop you from doing such. I just want you to be careful in what ever you do. To the west from here is an old temple that we have reclaimed. We do have people there that are going to clean up the place. Please do not play games with them but if you have any information you can go to them and they should be able to get it to us one way or another.
Speaking of Oleg...We are on our way back there now. We should get ourselves moving before it gets too late. Thank you for your time and I hope this will bring us to a fun future.
:: Pharast 31 - Mid-Afternoon - Exploring the Forest ::
Perlivah's and Tyg-Titter-Tut's eyes widen at Roke's words. In his nasally voice, Perlivash responds "You... you... wants us to pranks them?" His voice is awestruck at the idea.
Tyg-Titter-Tut goes on "No one as ever asked us to play with any one... Its always 'no no no', 'stop', 'aaarrrgghhh'... We will happily play with the orcs for you!"
As Andreas explain the situation at the shrine to the duo, they both nod in understanding. Perlivash "We will tell the people there is we find anything, or the people at Olegs!" The duo seem excited to get going and run off into the trees after that.
With Tyg-Titter-Tut's and Perlivash's quick disappearance, the group gathers themselves and continues exploring the area for the rest of the day before heading east a bit to make camp.
As the end of the day nears, find a small spring to collect water from and camp near. As you approach it a bit from the north, you can see a muddle of tracks coming to it from the south. Closer inspection shows that a good sized group in heavy boots came to the spring, maybe 15 to 20 in number and carrying some weight. The tracks come from a westerly direction and continue heading eastward.
Looking at the footprints, Kazmuk ask the others: "Can any o' ya know how many hourrs ago verre they herre? It vould not be vise to camp i' therre is a chance forr us to get surrounded."
Nodding in agreement with Kazmuk's questions, Rillka dismounts and will try to help Gird and learn a bit more from the seasoned tracker, appearing at his side as he examines the tracks, asking leading questions so he can talk out what he is seeing.
Andreas keeps control of his mount and keeps away from the tracks. His eyes roam the area looking for and signs of threats waiting on them.
:: Pharast 31 - Mid-Afternoon - Exploring the Forest ::
Upon examination, Gird expects the tracks to be at least a day old. More importantly, be thinks they look disturbingly like the tracks the orcs made at the bandit camp.
It seems as though the area is otherwise unoccupied at the moment.
"Well, I don't see why the orcs would come back through here. It seems like a decent place to make camp and we can always keep watch and slip away if the orcs approach. Also, if a large group has been through here it's unlikely that there will be an large predators about."
Rillka will make herself as useful as possible when making camp:
- She has a hooded and a bullseye lantern with continual flame cast in them, and the light spell for additional lighting needs.
- She will use prestidigitation to clean the garments and equipment of anyone interested.
- She can also use prestidigitation to warm/flavor food.
Otherwise she busies herself with caring for Lucca and Chetak, setting up her tent and working on updating her maps.
Andreas looks at the track as Gird and Zade explain there thoughts.
A worried look appears on his face.
...Oleg...
He turns his horse around as if looking for the correct direction that the Outpost lies in and the direction the Orcs are heading.
Still remaining calm but with an underlying tone of concern, Andreas looks to the others.
Rillka, Zade, Gird...these tracks...are you able to determine the direction the orcs are moving...is it in line with the direction of Oleg's Outpost. Is it possible that this Orc force is moving towards the Outpost?
:: Pharast 31 - Mid-Afternoon - Exploring the Forest ::
The three trackers spread out to the east, following the tracks and trying to determine the most likely route the orcs were taking.
The tracks head in the direction of Oleg's for a few hundred feet, but there is no way to be 100% certain without following them to the end...
Lets try to guess where they could be, and where they might be going... Rillka talks to her self as she unfurls a map and tries to figure out how far the orc party could be and look at places they could get to - and with some worry; see if they could get to Oleg's by night.
Andreas nods at Rilka as she gets out her maps.
Is it entirely possible that these tracks are different then the one we saw before or even the same as that group we fought.
Andreas looks up at the sky.
We should rest and move with all haste to the outpost. We can always come back and search this area at a later date.
:: Pharast 31 - Mid-Afternoon - Exploring the Forest ::
Pouring over her maps, Rillka realizes that if the tracks are a day old, they the orcs likely arrived at Oleg's earlier that day, or even the night before if they were hurrying. From where they were located it would take most of a day to reach Oleg's.
The group sets about making camp and sleeps through the night.
.
:: Gozran 1 - Afternoon - Oleg's ::
The group wakes up in the morning and begins the journey to Oleg's. As you travel your path crosses with the tracks a few times. The tracks route is a bit more circuitous, as though it snot entirely sure where it is going.
Into the afternoon, you get close to Oleg's and slow your approach. Gird scouts ahead of the group a few hundred yards. About a half mile out from the outpost, Gird returns, having sighted Oleg's.
Oleg's is currently entirely closed up, with a few archers on platforms looking out from the walls. A few hundred feet in front of the gate, you can see a camp of orcs that has setup, with a few watching the outpost and a few watching the area around it.
"Well, here's a fine pickle. I suppose there are worse places to meet these orcs."
Zade considers the tactical implications of having the orcs between them and Olegs.
"Do we have some way to contact the outpost?"
:: Gozran 1 - Afternoon - Oleg's ::
From Gird's observations, you know that there are 16 orcs in the camp. There is little cover, just the long grass and low rolling hills of the plains. Good for hiding when you're 500-800 feet away, not really much to hide behind at less than 200 feet.
For overall positioning and such, it would be possible to take a wide route around the orcs and Oleg's and come at the outpost from the opposite side without really being seen. It would just take some time.
Andreas lets out his breath in relief.
It would appear that we have found the main orc horde.
He starts to scan the group and looks at the tracks.
Is this all of them? Are we able to determine that the group of orcs we were following are all in front of us?
The large knight tries to get a feel for what it is they face.
Good eye Gird, We could get inside...but...I am not sure Oleg had a plan for surviving an siege. We get in there we can help defend but we are adding to the burden of those that are trying to survive on limited resources. It may very well be our best option.
He looks around again...
If we stay out here we can attack with the advantage of a second flank...but that will be limited in its effectiveness and too short of an advantage to help much.
Andreas looks at the sun and judges the time.
Quite a predicament...
Time is not on our side today, it would seem. We need to figure out a plan of attack and how we keep the outpost safe while using our numbers inside to out advantage. We also will need an exit strategy for us and the occupants of the outpost...just in case.
I welcome your input on how to proceed.
Kazmuk ponders for a couple minutes before offering his advice. "Frrom the trracks ve have alrready learrnt that these orrcs have arrrived herre at least one or two days ago... and have not attacked yet. This is not the vay o' the orrcs. Therre is a rreason forr the delay... orr they arre vaiting forr morre o' their kind, orr Oleg's is just too forrtified forr this small band to attack."
"The decision we'll be makin' vill be based in vhat is ourr objective. Do ve vant to eliminate the orrcs once and forr all? Do ve vant to ensure none in Oleg's get hurt? Vhat do ve vant? By cirrcumventing the camp and joinin' Oleg, ve'll rreinforrce the post, but perrhaps it'll scarre the orrcs and ve'll have to hunt them once morre, perrhaps in disadvantage." He points out. "Howeverr, if ve attack them now, ve we'll pincerr them between us and Oleg. If a message, or messengerr could be sent to Oleg, to coorrdinate ourr attacks, I see us succeedin' in gettin' rid o' these currsed bein's."
Kazmuk is right. We need to choose our outcome to decide our course of action. And that means eliminating the threat. Rillka smiles and nods at Kazmuk. Even creatures that see at night only see a limited range. I would suggest that we use that to get close, and hide... approach from the east and when the morning sun is at our backs, you attack. I will of course stand back and cast spells. If we can get word to Oleg's they might be able to mount an offensive at the same time. But we cannot let the ugly orcses dictate the terms of the fight.
"Fair enough. I've had about enough of these orcs."
Andreas looks at each of his companions.
A message to the outpost is very limited in what we can say and what we will know. We do not know what assets we have inside or if they are even able to field an offensive at anytime. They could be injured or even have casualties. We can not rely on a spell to get our wishes known. There are two many unknowns to go that route...but we still can use it when we are ready to act. With everyone agreeing at least on the fact that we put an end to the orcs right here and now, we just need to figure our the best plan of action. Rillka wants to wait a until tomorrow morning to attack at first light. While that is a great idea we may not be able to wait till then. We could end up in a fight at night with us at a disadvantage. Rillka's plan would have us strike at them when they are most vulnerable and that is a good plan. Time is not something we have right now.
He keeps himself hidden but looks at the landscape to see what he has to deal with.
We should get someone inside to talk with whomever is there. They assess the situation and pass along our wishes. We need to make all the coordination we can with our limited resources. They either stay inside and aid the attackers when we are ready or come back out and join us. We need to attack soon. It is afternoon and they will be getting up soon. This would be like a morning assault for them when they are they are still sleeping.
He looks again at the land.
We could draw them in towards the outpost.
His mind seems to be moving very fast.
We will use two baits.
He looks hopefully at his companions.
The defenders would need to bait the orcs into coming within range of their arrows. They would open the gates come out and fire at extreme range. I am hoping the orcs take that first bait and run for the defenders who will move back inside the outpost and close the gates. This will bring the orcs within range. We hit the orcs from behind on the back corner at the right time to prevent them from retreating. This will create a lane for the defenders to keep concentrated fire on the orcs and we, the second bait, can mount an up close and personal attack without fear of friendly fire. At some point the orcs will turn to engage with us to eliminate that close threat and to use us as a way to stop the archers from firing. It is then that the defenders again come out of the outpost to engage the orcs from behind. There will be injuries and this could very well lead to some deaths. This is a large force and it will be hard encounter.
There is the option to negotiate with them.
It is obvious that he does not like that option.
Why do you assume we do not have time? Do they have ladders or a battering ram? If not they are not ready to attack; and if they do attack, we let them try those walls. You were helping to prepare those defenses when I arrived Andreas... you know better than any of us they need a way over, under or through. They don’t have that yet. And your plan is too complex Andreas... too many if’s.
Rillka taps the hickory wand she uses as a walking stick on the ground... Which makes me wonder what they are up to? Perhaps they are here to keep Oleg under siege while that other force we saw tracks for gets ready... but at better than 2 to one odds, we stand no chance without help from the fort.
Oh, and remember, I do have a scrolls of fly and flaming sphere. A nice grass fire would do them wonders, or Gird flying out of reach would be great as long as they don’t have bows...