"Newfound friends, do you have a camp nearby? Before we search for our missing, we should first ensure that those we can confirm living are safe. If need be, we can take them back to our camp. It is far off, and it is not much, but it is better than nothing. Alternatively, we can move our people into this cave. We had intended to move camp anyway."
Victor shuffles uncomfortably.
" i know it isn't advised but i think we should split up. it's more efficient to go back collect the ones who are alive while the rest of you go on and find the missing people."
He looks around trying to think of a good composition of people
"preferably thoy and i will backtrack and collect the others, it'll be a safe run so we won't need the skilled combatants.The rest of you can move on and do what you need to. we'll catch up later"
victor quiets down, his plan being said.
|
"I second Victor. We can arm the rest of your people and consolidate our groups. We have several other healers that can help with the wounded and we can start fortifying afterwards." Des recommending to the group.
"Now does anyone need a blade? Lovingly crafted of course." opening his coat to the throttled orc community and pirates. Bone chiseled weaponry on display.
The Ork group has been staying in the camp for several days. It is a defensible position but it seems they were attacked while they were foraging, and had to take the fight into the wood to keep too many of their own from being taken. They have what little supplies left from when they fled their clan safe in the cave there.
Several Orc perk up as Desula mentions the word weapons and those that do not speak the human tongue glance and approach as their weapons are old and the claws are prime for making into weapons. They seem appreciative enough of the materials and some of the more martial looking ones take the already made weapons and test them, satisfied. They seem to warm to you slightly, but if you stayed and made them weapons, even the Ork that don't speak your tongue would look on you more favorably.
One of the humans, a nervous looking hunched man who was likely an ill-used slave, speaks up You must be most stealthy if you are thinking to slip through the forest unnoticed. I am surprised that you were able to make it here without running into beasts or Kahn or other swamp-folk the cowardly man says, shifting back toward the cave just looking into the wood.
Kalagan and Tzardusk can roll K local for more info on the swamp
Tzardüsk advises all present of what he knows about the swamp both in orcish and in common.
"Indeed, Victor. I was just about to say that, but as a good second, you were able to read my mind and say it first for me." Thoyoitu turns to the slaves, "Is this cave secure?"
Even the warriors rarely venture in alone or in small groups. The creatures within are stealthy and quick, better suited to the terrain, and use this to your advantage, yet large groups tend to lose more members to sinkholes and natural hazards.
DC 20
There is also rumor of a tribe of lizard-folk that'd serve a great and terrible Wyrm that pulled the island from the sea in a wash of steam and fire and melted rock. The other legend is that the great eastern bay was made when the beast landed, and the earth where it's feet fell shattered, and yet another that the bay was where wyrm and crow batteled, the stories go on, but are only spoken in a whisper lest the gods of the island hear as you envoke their names.
One of the orc tells you We have enough strength to hold the entrance, especially with the black-ear's weapons. Cave is deep enough for us and a few more at least, but we lac resources, food and water.
"Perhaps, now that some are armed, we leave them here to defend the others in the cave, while we search toward the swamp. Are you sure splitting up is wise? If you insist, we won't move to stop you, but there is supposedly a tribe of lizardfolk in the swamp, and within reason, there is safety in numbers."
"Yes, good idea, Des. If the cave can be held long enough to get back, we'll have a small amount of food and weapons to supply. Though with the more mouths to feed, we really should spend tomorrow hunting, lest we run out and starve."
A burley orc, one of the few warriors to join with Kalagan and Tzardusk, steps up telling you, the easy isn't our treasury territory, but I handfull of us can collect your healers and supplies. Your humans are injured and we will keep them for you here. The cave is strong and if you have food, we need not forage.
A smaller and wizened orc approaches, and has his words translated. We to not take your charity, blackears. You arm us, we pay back he moves into the cave to give you some gifts before you go.
|
|
"Thank you greatly. When you arrive tell the women by the name of Ros that there are survivors from the ship with you and that Desula sent you. Also ask her for the rest of the material for weapons and I can forge you more." Des tells the volunteer and gives the general direction of the camp.
Desula moves to the cave mouth see what the elder Orc might offer.
The old orc beacons and mumbles, in orc, opening a long chest. he gestures to pyre saying Give in orcish, reaching for the axe. He then withdraws an Black stone-bladed axe. The weapon is masterfully made and impeccably balanced. While fragile, the volcanic-stone blade, but is deathly sharp. He continues to dig through some possessions in an alcove of the cave.
He also has a short stone blade made of a single piece of obsidian wrapped round the handle with leathery snakeskin. He has an assortment of clay jars and flasks stopped with hardened sap, geodes, and oiled sacks. There is a tube from which he draws what appears to be flayed skin tattooed with sigils and runes.
Finally he unwraps a blade as well, a very long and heavy weapon with a long razor-edged piece of chipped stone lashed to a long bone handle with horn cross-guard bound by leather stained with years of dried blood. The pommel is a withered and shrunken fist clutching an eye that stares hatefully from the grasping fingers.
So who is doing what/going where and when? You have time to get your people back by nightfall, or you can go into the swamp, or you can stay here.
Tzardüsk looks on in awe as their father's sword is passed to his very deserving brother. "It suits you, Kal.. and is most rightfully yours." he says in common, but spends a moment translating the orcish words for the party too.
Pyre nods his thanks and looks over his new weapon.
|
|
Des takes a swig in preparation of heading to the swamp.
"Awww, much better", he grabs another potion and 2 of the thunderstones. He stashes them and the other stuff in his bandolier for the raid.
Bone Dagger
Bone P. Dagger
Bone Short-sword
Bone Boarding Axe
Imp. Shortspear
Bone Scimtar (was for Pyre, but he has two axes now)
"Victor, I think it'd be better if the orcs go back to get our people and supplies. We'll need to draw a map for them, though. But after that, we should be good to stick together." Thoyoitu doesn't take any of the gear and is ready to depart when everyone else is.
Victor fidgets awhile with his crossbow, deep in thought.
"alrighty then, let's get going." a tone of reluctance hangs in his voice.
"Don't worry, victor. If there's danger, just follow me and hide behind my bush."
Tzardüsk looks sidewise at Thoyoitu and lofts a brow... Finally he cannot help himself and asks bluntly... "When your companions are facing foes, do you always hide and cover yourself in leaves rather than help them?"
"In case you didn't notice, large man of magic, I am but a simple bird of birdlike frailty. I must mask myself as much as possible so that I can avoid detection before I strike with my inner dinosaur. Now that I am fully prepared, next battle I will be of great help."
"I'm not that large, in case you hadn't noticed... not like my brother, Kalagan. He is a true hero. But I don't hide behind leaves when my companions are in need of my prowess, limited though it might be. Sometimes risks need to be taken when stakes are high," he says simply. "There are other ways to contribute in a fight besides direct melee... have you no bow or sling?"
Victor grunts at thoy's comment.he hands 2 alchemist fires and 2 acid flasks and hands them to thoy
"you know, we really need your help thoy. You can throw these for some range if you're to afraid to take the front."
He piles on the thunder stone and tanglefoot bag
"use these in a pinch"
He takes a step back to admire his handiwork.
"looking good there thoy."
He pauses ploping another potion of clw
"only for emergencies." victor warns.
Then he turns around to distribute the rest of the potions of clw,humming a tune as he does so.
"a pair of potions for Pyre, another for Tzardüsk,and two for kalagan"
He dusts his hands.
"loot distributed."
"Thanks, I'll make good use of this..." He puts the potion bottle in a safe place in a belt pouch. "I guess we ought to get moving."
"Sure... " He passes on the question in orcish to his people, though if the items are there, he's sure it will be no problem.
"Thank you, friend Victor. I will make great use of these, for my birdlike agility allows for increased ranged accuracy to make up for my lack in flight." Thoyoitu waits until everyone is armed and armored, and if there is any light armor left, he takes it.
Tho can snag pretty much whatever. Want Studded Leather for DR 3/armor, or wooden which is pretty much the same.
The Orc give Desula some armor and a shiled.
The party is able to set off as an orc party moves out to the east. There are three warriors moving out with a young tracker. Are there any other orders or warnings you want to give to the Orc?
The party sets off through the forest. As you walk, the ground soon softens and the flora changes from strong tall trees to wide rooted mangroves and their cousins, shrubs, lichen and fungus. Crawling vines climb trees to get to the sunlight. Soon the swamp grows thick and the party looks for signs of where the raiders could be.
What are you doing as you progress? Sneaking tracking, etc. Whatever skills you want to roll or things you want to try to do as you progress
"Grandfather,I am honored by your remembrance of my father. I will use his sword to lead his people out of bondage to savagery. Come, new friends. Take what you need."
Thoyoitu does his best to blend in with the environment.
The party will have to move at half speed in order to track
Tzardüsk assists with the tracking as best he can:
Thoyoitu follows behind stealthily.
Victor admires nature
With Tzardusk's assistance, Pyre leads the party through the swamp, following subtle trails and signs of humanoid influence.
Bbedore you is a grotesque fetish, a sick sculpture composed of disjointed body parts. A rotting orc torso hangs from a tree with a painted skull of a big cat in place of a head. A pare of deformed wings is grafted to the body, thin flesh that clings to the bone visible through the mottled feathers. Instead of humanoid lower body, the torso was grafted onto an insectoid thorax, and giant crab claws are stuck to it in place of hands.
The wings, on the other hand are like no animal or beast's, and they look rather like Rosalyn's and not those of a beast or monstrous humanoid, but a regular humanoid[/ooc]
Victor is also able to locate a supply of components that could be useful after some time refining them for he and Desula
The party may enter the swamp. GO ahead and make the checks you will be using for this advance. Things like Perception to look for ambushes, or traps, Survival for the tracking and not getting lost, appropriate Knowledges or something else.
The much sucks at your feet and boots as you trudge along. There are no good "paths" but more areas that look more trodden, but even those disappear and may have more to do with where trees fell than where people have been walking.
You come to a fetted and stagnant pond. To one side fo the "trail" you've been following is a thickly mudded beach leading one way, while the other direction seems to have vegetation growing closer and closer to the edge of the murky water. There are trees across the way, it's hard to gauge the distance, but it's not like it would necessarily be impossible to cross the water either.
Victor looks up at the fetish
"oh geez"
he tries to focus on the parts of the fetish
"Orc torso, big cat head wings of an unknown humanoid and the thorax, is off a bog strider,insectoid humanoids that walk very quickly across the surface of the water. They are lead by seer queens with some spell like abilities. Seemed like most of the residents of the island all in one effigy".
he turns to desula and hands him some assorted bits and pieces
"i found these. might be useful for your spells."
Tzardüsk snarls at the sight of the fetish. "That's a gruesome combination of forms. I don't think I want to meet what made it."
He tries to keep his eye on the 'path' as they move, make sure they stay on the most solid ground possible.
He keeps his eyes open for any other signs of life in the swamp.
|
|
Desula ponders the fetish for a bit,Wonder if this is in honor of tribal god, a skilled death dealer work if nothing else." He stuffs the component material into his bandolier pouch with his spell book.
"Thank you, Victor. Your always too kind," I'll have to look out for more material with all these new spells.
Victor continues to look at the fetish, curious to it's construction.
"Say Tzardüsk, what do you know of the presence of bog striders on the island?"
Pyre flexes his nose slits in disgust as the smell of the swamp assults him.
As fas as bogstriders, the insectoids dwell in the swamps and keep to themselves, not really raiding or trading. But they can be fiercely territorial
"I'm not as learned as I'd like to be about the swamp dwellers, but this appears to be something of theirs, this... fetish thing. MOst likely a trophy to show off what they've killed, and giving tribute to a darker god than even my people worship."
"The insect folk live deep in the swamps and pretty much keep to themselves, rarely trading or raiding. But they can be highly territorial, so that might bring them into conflict with the swamp dwellers from time to time."