Anga looks at what is for sale. (Detect magic on of course). Anything interesting?
Haskyll starts to gather up our collection of items picked up from Truneau, and other areas, to see what they can afford.
Sell the saddle and the longsword and the other items of just monitary value.
She is free at last, scorched orc corpses pile around, she looks at her hands surprised at the fire, to her surprise those are the hands of an orc, all painted with war tattoos.
Tenths of orcs roar from afar, she knows they are a rival tribe, they come for her, she needs to run... run... run to safety. The broken chains tangle around as she runs through the scorched tents of the rival orc village.
The other orcs come for her, roaring, falchions over their heads. She jumps over a cart, avoids a pile of corpses and finds out the walls of the fort. She is surrendered, there is no scape. Earth in front, steel on the back.
She jumps to the wall, she grasps the rocks, she clings with strength and start to climb. In a couple of seconds she reaches the top of the wall as a spider will do. A crowd of orcs roar from below...
Leira wakes up by the sudden movement of the keelboat. She is soaked in sweat, and... clinging on the wall, attached to the wood totally sticked "Oh no! It happened again!" she looks at her hands, she observes the tattoo of a spider at her foot, a new tattoo "What is going on... whom is this orc in my dreams?"
-------------------
The next day Leira takes her time to examine the items on sell, interested on anything to improve her archery, spellcasting and skills.
Ragnir would like to enchant his Dwarven Axe and dwarven longhammer. Mazra, is there a method that we can continue to improve the Axe? I'd like it to be his birthright, family namesake (Brightaxe). Rather than swapping one weapon for the other?
Craft weapons and armor? Well you could swap a feat or wait till level 7
Mazra, is there a method that we can continue to improve the Axe? I'd like it to be his birthright, family namesake (Brightaxe). Rather than swapping one weapon for the other?
Actually Ulfgard has the skill, you just have to provide the feat!
Leira closes by the captain and the others "So what do we know about the orcs place?"
"I would like to prepare a plan so I sneak there invisible and disguised as an orc and open some back door for you." says Leira with a bold expression "Do we have any map of the place or do you know anyone that has been there before?"
That is an option. but I think we have a day or two to plan things out while we get there.
I for one, need some time to prepare scrolls, and items prior to us getting there.
Captain Bloodtusk will chat with Leira, "Nasty place Redlake Fort is these days. In addition to Orcs, there are vile Ogrekin, Ogres and the worst....Hill Giants. I have done business with them. They are liars and cheats, the lot of them. If you can take 'em out, then that will suit me just fine."
Leira will know that Redlake Fort was originally part of Harchist’s Blockade, the second line of strongholds defending Lastwall’s retreating northern border with Belkzen. Redlake Fort (named for a variety of crimson algae that grew within its moat) was abandoned in 4482, when the Blockade fell and a new border, the Hordeline, was established farther south. Twisted Nail Orcs and the Heart Eater Hill Giants now challenge each other for control of this area. But you will also find out from what the party discovered from the raid in Trunau, that the Hill Giant Chieftess Grenseldek was behind the Orc raid, meaning that the Orcs and Hill Giants are working together.
writing some scrolls sounds good
"Collaboration between orcs and giants. That is dangerous but..." muses Leira "That sounds as not that so easy to maintain. There should be some weaknesses on that relationship. If we find them and attack those weaknesses, we can make them loose confidence on each other to our advantage perhaps"
She looks at her companions then at Bloodtusk "Do you know of any faction or individual that may not be that happy with the new arrangement?"
Bloodtusk ponders the question only briefly, "Hill Giants, Ogres, Ogrekin, and Orcs don't get along well within themselves, so what do you think? But I do not know anything specific."
Ragnir shakes his head "Pah...the weakness tha' all giants be havin' is the same. Hit em near'n their kneecaps, take out a hamstring, 'r cleave in a skull. I's the only thin' they'll be understandin' anyway. Ragnir shrugs at the mention of them working together, "Makes no matter. Jus' be meanin' they'll be gatherin' together, which means we'll no be havin' to hunt'em down."
So, do you mind if I take this gear off your hands?
Day Thirty-Two thru Day Thirty-Seven
More amazing still is the fact that for five days the Keelboat passes only a handful of locals; many, of which, are just coming out of their hiding or safe places. And yet others are Orcs from local tribes where the Captain has made agreements for safe passage. These other Orcs tell of the Twisted Nail Orcs retreating to Redlake Fort.
The progress up the River Esk was slow with the horses pulling the Keelboat up river. More than once, the Keelboat ran aground on a sand bar or underwater rocks requiring repairs. But eventually, the Keelboat reaches the great fork. "This is as far as we can take you," Bloodtusk proclaims. "You are on your own from here."
Ulfgard will see a trail along the southernmost left fork of the river. Bloodtusk will confirm that the trail will take you to Redlake Fort, about a half day's journey by foot.
For 8 hours a day, for the next 5 days, Haskyll remains tied up in his room crafting small little trinkets.
Leira takes her belongings and steps out of the keelboat "Well, it seems I will have my chance for revenge after all"
"If it is just half-day journey we perhaps do not have a real need for horses Kaos"
Looking at the trail Leira proposes "Well, I guess there are not much chances to walk unnoticed, but at least try to cover ourselves in the last miles before reaching the fort"
Just before noon, Leira will notice a Hill Giant on a rock outcropping across the now narrow river tributary. She will then see Orcs both to the front and her left.
Ragnir gives a good natured chuckle, and shrugs around in his armor, which clanks with each move, "I dinna do sneaky well, lass."
well, back on our feet.
Anga seems pleased atvthe thought
"An ambush!" says Leira alarmed at the sight of giant and orcs.
The girl steps to the side and as quick and stealth as a cat, attempts to shut down the orc over the waterfall before they realise the group is here.
Round One
Ingrahild sees Leira hesitate and look up. Then the Dwarf Ranger, bow in hand, as is her norm when she travels, observes above the trees a Hill Giant on the rocky outcrop. She smiles, knocks an arrow, and lets it fly. Her face squinches as she sees the arrow skip off the rocks short of the target.
In rapid succession, the Dwarf Ranger fires two more arrows at the stupid looking Hill Giant. Ingrahild's second arrow careens off the big humanoid's hide armor. The third arrow sticks into Hill Giant flesh.
Ulfgard will use the stay command to keep the wolf out of trouble for the moment before drawing his best friend and preparing for combat.
Ragnir starts to move towards the orcs further down the trail.
Anga quickly casts shield on herself
Haskyll blesses the party, then moves up to unload a crossbow bolt.
only to have the bolt go sailing off into the blue.
Surprise Round
Ulfgard steadies his Wolf.
Ingrahild, bow in hand, skips an arrow off the rocks near the Hill Giant.
Haskyll Blesses the party.
Anga quickly cast Shield.
Kaos puts up a Shield as well.
Leira fires an arrow at one of the Twisted Nail Orcs. The arrow glances off the green humanoid's studded leather armor.
Ragnir is amused at the idea of sneaking up on something as he jingles and clanks in his armor.
Round One start
Ulfgard prepares for combat.
Ingrahild launches two more arrows at the stupid looking Hill Giant. The first careens off the Giant's Hide Armor. The next one sticks into Hill Giant flesh.
Haskyll fires a crossbow bolt. It sails into the wide blue yonder.
The Twisted Nail Orcs look to the Hill Giant for direction as to what to do.
Ragnir moves toward the Orcs further down the trail.
Leira takes more aim at the orc over the waterfall, and once she is sure, she lets the string make the arrow fly with sparkling magic empowering it!
Anga moves to e7 and casts a spell. Rolling words invoking wildfires issue forth and small flames dance on the party members. These flames quickly vanish into the characters.
The Hill Giant picks up a big rock and throws it at the Dwarf that hit it with an arrow. The rocks skips through the party doing no harm.
The first Orc hurls a javelin down through the trees toward Leira. It gets tangled up in the branches.
Orcs 2,3 and 4 move across a narrow spot in the river.
Orcs 5 and 6 ready to hurl their javelins when an intruder gets within a certain distance.
Round Two
Ulfgard will start moving toward the orcs to the east.