After examining the kitchen and two store rooms, Dyalg thanks the cooks for their time and help then explains why he wanted to see the food stores. ”Something occurred with the officers. If something similar happened here we’d starve.” He asks them what they thought of the officers, any rumors of tension or the like between them.
Fighting off another surge of anger, Graah and Galvrin continue to look around. The officers seem to have been ready to fight and are wearing what looks like their combat gear. Between them, in addition to the aforementioned wands, they have:
- a suit of half-plate, battleaxe and ring of ferocious action
- chainmail and morningstar
- splint mail, greataxe
- studded leather armor, composite longbow, short sword, ring
- ring, a spell component pouch, plain silver amulet
- chainmail, warhammer, wooden holy symbol of the Gorum, and a couple vials
In addition, each seems to have a key in a pouch.
The cooks nod as Dyalg explains his concerns. "I don't know how they'd get in, but we'll keep an eye out," Tanug says. "Unless you have something else you want us to do."
They agree that they like the officers -- Commander Tanser especially -- and weren't aware of any problems between them.
Graah! stoops to collect the fallen wands from the floor, as well as to grab the magic ring (Ferocious Action). He grabs the collection of vials, and pulls off the rings and amulet for magical identification. When complete, he moves back to the room's exit, and sits down in the middle of the floor, with the objects arranged on the ground in front of him.
Waving to Illa, he invites her over to have a look at what he has collected.
"Magick-magick! Ooooooo!"
"Looks like it, alright," Illa says, grinning.
"Hey, what are you doing!" one of the guards yells, lowering his pike. "Are you looting in the keep?
"Damned goblins!" he snarls.
intimidate
will
"it's called investigation, so stick to your job and I'll stick to mine. You keep obstructing our investigation, you might start to look like a suspect."
Inwardly thankful for Galvrin's backing, Graah! just rolls his eyes at the guard.
"The man backs down slightly. Fine, as long as you're just investigating. You can wait until we're all in our graves before you try to pick over our bones, though," he says, practically spitting.
As Illa begins to examine them, she sees a word, Aris, written in Elven begin to glow on the plain silver amulet.
"Settle down," Illa tells the guard. "Do you think your commanders would have wanted gear that can help save us all from an ugly death on an Orc spit to be buried or burned with them? Graah is an ally. Get used to it."
Illa takes a closer look at the amulet, frowning in concentration.
Graah! stoops to collect the fallen wands from the floor, as well as to grab the magic ring (Ferocious Action). He grabs the collection of vials, and pulls off the rings and amulet for magical identification. When complete, he moves back to the room's exit, and sits down in the middle of the floor, with the objects arranged on the ground in front of him.
You believe the runes were an arcane mark. You're not sure what the word means, though.
"The man backs down slightly. Fine, as long as you're just investigating. You can wait until we're all in our graves before you try to pick over our bones, though," he says, practically spitting.
As Illa begins to examine them, she sees a word, Aris, written in Elven begin to glow on the plain silver amulet.
Galvrin would have presented the wands for spellcraft-checking when Graah was showing the other items to Illa.
To the guard, Galvrin replies with a smirk, "Yes, and if you keep trying to test me, we will find out sooner rather than later. Besides, I couldn't use your bones for anything anyway, their shaking would give up my position a mile away."
Corvus keeps a watchful eye on Graah! inwardly pleased that others are sticking up for him. When you've been around a goblin for long enough, it's easy to forget how others might view him, so she makes a conscious effort to not let him out of her sight.
She smiles at the bravado of the guards. Turning to Galvrin she says, "Any guard that would stand up to you doesn't need his bravery testing."
Her intention is not to undermine Galvrin but to ensure the situation doesn't escalate.
Graah! looks up expectantly at Illa, waiting to hear what she has to say.
As she's looking, a guard comes rushing up to the group.
"Th-th-the orcs are approaching the gate! I think they want to parlay!" he stammers.
Another guard finds Dyalg in the kitchen and delivers a similar message.
"How many of them?" Illa asks.
Galvrin looks to Illa, "Well, General, what's the plan?"
"We go and meet them, of course," Illa says, shrugging. "But make sure we can get back inside in a hurry if it goes south, and none of the fortress' officers can go; they're needed."
"F-f-five of th-th-them," the guard replies.
"Right. Five of them, five of us," Illa says. "Get the sergeant, I want to relay some orders, like no shooting the negotiators unless I say so. Guys? You feel up to some parleying?"
"I'd like to hear what they have to say. I should probably keep my mouth shut, though," Galvrin says with a small smirk.
"You should keep your mouth shut?" Illa says, grinning as she walks down the corridor and towards the parlay. "Last time I talked to my cousin, he tried to declare a blood feud against my family. He was so angry, it took two of my uncles to hold him down, and five of my aunts to get it through his thick skull that he couldn't declare blood feud against his own family!"
"Heh, well the only way I typically negotiate is by force. I'm sure it is a language that they are well-versed in, but it likely won't earn us their peace. On the other hand, I don't particularly subscribe to the idea that they are really here to parley. They're probably sizing up the newcomers, thinking they already took out all leadership with that rage dust. They were probably expecting to walk right in during the assault we repelled earlier."
"If it was even them who did it," Illa says, frowning. "It's pretty subtle, for Orcs. I could see them chucking that muck at people in battle, but sneaking it into an enemy fortress is... exemplary. Either we're dealing with an innovative thinker or two among the Orcs, or there's someone else calling the shots."
"That is a good point. Where is Dyalg? I am interested to see what he and our two troublemakers have to say on the issue."
"Not sure I want to talk to the orcs, unless they're volunteering to kill each other and save us the ammunition. Except that wouldn't be any fun. What about you little buddy?". Corvus looks at Graah! for advice.
Crossing the garrison from the kitchen, Dyalg approaches the rest of his companions. ”I received word about the parlay. After that we should discuss what our investigations yielded. Remember I don’t speak orc, so someone may need to translate. I'm surprised they want to parlay. Curious indeed. Graah! remember you’ll have an opportunity to kill more orcs if you don’t kill these ones.”
Graah! retrieves his bow from Corvus and draws an arrow from his quiver. He tests the tip with his thumb, as if to be sure it's sharp. The jagged, barbed tip looks particularly vicious.
"Aku sing talk talk tengen kene..."
Going to the top of the wall, you can see a group of five orcs about 1,000 feet from the wall. One is waving a large white flag.
The guard on duty, though he doesn't look happy, nods as you order that no one shoot at the orcs, relaying it to the others on the wall.
"They're out of our range right now anyway," he says sourly.
"I want archers ready, but hiding behind the crenellations," Illa says. "If we don't make it back, command goes back to the officers. And they're to act like officers, not brawlers! We'll go out, hold position within bowshot and wait for them. If anyone fires without our command, I will hang that man from the wall."
No additional preparations for Galvrin.
Graah! needs no further preparations. He mounts Tasty Chicken and will head out with her to accompany the parley group, landing close, but not too close to the talking group. Keeping an eye on Corvus and Illa, he watches for an agreed upon signal in case he is to attack, and start killing all these disgusting orcs.
After opening the portcullis, several guards lift the huge bar that holds the 10-feet-thick gates closed, allowing you to leave the safety of the fort and go out into the dimly list canyon.
Moving out, you see five guards ahead of you. Four of them carry battleaxes, while the leader, a massive example of his race, holds an orc double-axe, leaning casually on it, looking completely secure in his breastplate. A club and dagger hang from his belt and his face is covered in garish warpaint.
Galvrin will follow Illa's lead.
As Dyalg approaches the orcs, his hair flutters as if blown by a breeze. He smiles at the orcs, confident and remembering many parleys in the past before he was born.
”You will need a bigger army if you plan to win,” he says. ”Is that why you requested this parley, to surrender?”
Corvus remaines tight-lipped - and keeps a watchful eye on Graah! She will let the others do the talking and will instead focus on the body-language and mannerisms of the orcs - checking if what their mouths are saying matches what their bodies are saying.
Illa walks to within 500 ft. of the Orcs and holds position there. She meets the leader's eyes and, without breaking eye contact, gently, slowly draws her sword and lightle leans her hands on the pommel. Then, she grins and beckons the Orcs closer.
The expression is utterly mirthless and frankly, slightly disturbing on an Elven face. The fact that only slightly accented Orcish comes rolling over lips once the Orcs come within range may be even moreso.
Switching back to Common, she continues: "Which of you claims leadership over your horde, and what do you want?"
The orcs approach cautiously, though without seeming fear.
"I am Warleader Karsh," the largest orc replies in Common, his voice a growl. "And you are the leaders of this fort?"
He laughs at Dyalg's comment.
"I think not. I will admit, I am impressed with your courage. I congratulate you on a good fight and coming out of our first skirmish victorious. But I have many more orcs and next time shall not go so gently. Flee now, while you can. I give you this one chance to escape, with my vow that we shall let you leave with your lives."
"You want us to run without a fight?" Illa sneers. "What do you take us for? Drow? Maybe Mites? As surely as I am Illa, fifth daughter of House Ashshade, you insult not only my honour, but that of each and every warrior ranged behind us! I asked what you want here. There has been peace, trade, all of that. Why do you now bring disruption?"
"Mother Hagna has seen it," he says. "Doom is coming."
"Hressghkit!"
"If this 'Mother Hagna' directs you, then she must be the leader," Illa snarls. "Why is she not here to parley? And what is this doom you speak of? If you are fleeing something in terror" -- the Elf's voice is momentarily filled with sly mockery -- "perhaps you should have come with the flag first, and asked for help more nicely."
Galvrin stands by Illa, not saying anything, loose posture, arms crossed.
"Yes, she is our leader, but she has no desire to talk to your sort. Orcs beg for help from no one. We go where we wish. We are kind enough to offer you your lives because we don't wish to linger here, but the offer will not last long. I suggest you take it now."
As Illa speaks with Warleader Karsh, Dyalg studies the five orcs’ clothes, armor, and weapons, looking for clan or tribe markings especially.
”Warleader Karsh, where is the boasting of the numbers we face? The clans that have pushed aside their petty squabbling to attack here? I am surprised you are so quiet on such matters. What have you promised them?” Dyalg sweeps his arm across his body, indicating the orc army. ”They will find death and misery. This gap will be renamed Karsh’s Doom.”
"I don't need to boast of the numbers you face. Unless you are blind, and I don't think you are, you can see. Whether you can count all our campfires, I don't know, but we have more than enough to crush you.
"I have made my offer -- choose to live or you will die in that fort."