Thrand listens to the monk, then responds, "Brother Kolwyk, I believe that we are more or less decided. Give us a moment to finalize team assignments, then we will be on our way. We would like to hear more about the team that was lost. Who were they? Is it usual for orcs, hobgoblins, and ogres to work together? Have you discovered who or what might be uniting them?"
He will take one of the riding horses that is offered, thus allowing Valor to carry less weight on their journey.
Kolwyk continues the brief "We have reports there is a orc who is gathering all the tribes of the Pomarj under one banner, which is worrisome indeed. This orc has thus far managed to gather a horde of a few thousand to his side and it looks like more are coming each day. We do not know his name as of yet. We do know he sends out large raiding parties to soften up the area he intends to strike at and we fell this is what he intends to do around Berwyn. His lead forces will strike at all the farming settlements and thorps in the area forcing them to flee to Berwyn straining the towns resources. Then the horde will lay siege and once they break through they will massacre everyone. This will only increase his fame. If Berwyn were to stand and survive, that would diminish this horde leaders fame. Berwyn cannot do so without a group harrasing the horde from outside the town. The lead force is being lead by two orc siblings who it appears recently returned from a scouting and raiding party further north trying to enlist the orc tribes of the nearby mountains to join under the same banner. These two orc siblings are a bit tougher than normal orcs which is why the are in charge- as you know might is right in orcish ways. They are assisted by a professional hobgoblin officer who guides their strategy. It pains me to say this but if you kill the hobgoblin strategist then this part of the raid may fail."
"The other team that was lost was not part of this operation. It was their bad luck to fall prey to assassins. Your employers do have enemies. As stated earlier this is dangerous work"
Well then I certainly may be more use to the forward team then the town, Aside from my bow i have no small skill in stealth... perhaps if we get the chance I can get close enough to take him out.
He added still not sure how the split was going to work out.
"I think my skills would be put to better use in the town, as I'm neither stealthy nor a good fighter... but the folk there may not welcome a half-orc readily. I will be prepared for that. Mogwag would I think rather go with the forward team anyway."
Listening for a long time to the discussion, smoking a pipe and drinking from a mug a local beer before clearing his throat Bonifacius speaks up. "Well, I am not bad in tracking my prey. Alas I am fine with this dividing of the teams.
Mogwag shrug his shoulder
Mogwag Will go as Well. This is à mission that Will se armed opposition and Mogwag seems better equiped than Tzardusk
Town:
Tanariel
Anchard
Sir Thrand
Tzardusk
Outdoors:
Cerian
Bonifacious
Mogwag
Victrix
Shortnose
now what to do with Alistair...?
”I don’t agree.” Shornose the clueless states.
Looking up and down to the others warriors from the other team he continues ”Alastair can go with the other team” since he called me a pet and simpleton ”the dorf can go as well” we don’t need his short legs getting in our way ”Mogwag can keep his team company” Since we don’t need his fangs to scare the ladies ”and the lady-elf should come with me and Victrix” cause two-o-one is better than one-o-one.
Bah Mogwag is good for both group. he says with a grin
Either way, the groups should be decided and decided quickly and we should go to our respective tasks in order to do the most good. says the elf.
"A thought out decision is more important than a hasty one. There are also several issues to address as well, such as the support; two mostly used up wands. Being given whatever is left of the previous groups is not promising and shows disinterest in a favorable outcome. There may be people higher up in our employer's ranks that want this horde to succeed. It certainly explains the assassination."
Bonifacius, Cerian, Shortnose, Victrix and myself should head up the attacks on the hobgoblin strategist and scott out enemy forces while taking every advantage to hobble them. Anyone else thinking they would bring valuable skills to this goal is welcome, but any more than one will make us less flexible and maneuverable. The remaining should play themselves to the aid of the Baron while trying to root out assassins, spies, and saboteurs."
"Can we trade Bonifacious for that pretty, err, I mean, elf-lady over there?" Shortnose asks.
Anchard looks at Shortnose and speaks pointedly, "I should also take this moment to say, Shortnose is a recent recruit into our group's employ. He has not been officially contracted by our employer and so his opinions and thoughts, while colorful and potentially useful for consideration, should not be taken with more than an anecdotal thought. Though he is highly skilled in arms and shows a deal of due caution which is rarely measured in capable warriors."
Anchard sighs knowing Shortnose is right but not oblivious to his true motives, "Arcane support could be very useful depending on her spell school focus."
”Wait? Did you just said her… spells? Is she a witch?” he asks bewildered.
Disaster! Disaster! I’ve been bewitched!
Victrix nods. "Aye, Tanariel's a mage. And a thumpin' good one, too."
"What, yeh got a problem with 'em?"
Looking at the barbarian the elf will reply Calm yourself, Victrix Bloodmane, I am sure that he meant no offense. Tell me Shortnose, would you like to experience a demonstration of my magic? she inquires.
”Get her awa…. Wait? Mage? Not witch?” he asks confused then he smiles ”Wizard, cool and cool. She should come with us.”
She can make I stronger an' bigger an' healthier. Not that me needs to get bigger, ya know, but well, it’s good to have choices. Shortnose thinks happily to himself for all the wrong reasons.
When the mage talk to him Shortnose is momentarily speechless and at loss of what to do. ”De…demonstration??” he asks thinking furiously
Bad? Good? Disaster??
Then he sighs and admits ”Only if ye wants, but me requires no proof, the loyalty of she-battle-fierce is more than enough.”
Her eyebrow raises and in calm and collected voice, though with a twinge of anger, the elf retorts You should speak more respect of any of those who have mastered the arcane arts, even those who use them for nefarious purposes, have learned much and where as warriors thing in between two or three dimensions, we masters of the arcane think in the dimensions that lay between those. she says as she non chalantly reaches into a spell component pouch.
”Three dimen-what?” he asks.
”Me thinks: Beautiful women; fighting the enemy; protecting me allies.” he looks at the mage and asks innocently. ”Is that the three dimen-thingy ye talkin’ ‘bout?”
Well of course it is, silly Shortnose. as she pulls out a small little rod and begins an enchantation, as she rubs it inbetween her hands. As her concentration and encantation
Tandr area gear/ trander arare slrea as a small spark
she crushes the rod in her hand and awakens from her trance.
The spell that I cast on you, Shortnose, will ensure that the member you appear to think with will remain short as long as you are engaged in this mission.
b;uff
Victrix is more than a little surprised by Tanariel's choice of spell.
Huh. Didn't know you could do that--thanks.
Anchard can't help but scoff, but he doesn't say anything to reveal the ruse.
"enough prattling" Kolwyk barks out as the discussion continues which is the first hint of emotion the monk has displayed since you have known him. "These are the teams. Tanariel, Anchard, Sir Thrand, Tzardusk and Shortnose is it?- are to meet with Baron Berwyn and bolster the towns defenses. Sir Thrand will definitely be able to help the older son shore up any gaps and this provides an opportunity for Shortnose to earn a place amongst you and be rewarded with a ring if he performs admirably. I place him under your eye Anchard, he is best suited assisting Sir Thrand with the militia. Tanariel you can try to see how much magic the young Kudzal managed to learn from his time here in at the collage. The Baron also has a decent library you may find useful. Anchard and Tzardusk can provide ministrations to the wounded and sick which tends to occur during times of war. I have here a pouch of coin, 1,000 in fact, for you to use for supplies and war gear for the town to bring to them for the militia and for the siege. There are 2 carts for you to stock the gear with and then take the River Road outside of town to Hardby to book passage on a boat to dock at Port Eldredd on the Wild Coast." and the monk holds out a pouch of coin for someone on that team to grab.
"Cerian, Victrix, Bonifacious, Mogwag and Alistair are charged with delaying and minimizing the advance elements ability to sack the town. I placed Mogwag with this group since he has experience in the wilds and being a half orc may prove useful in a ruse against them. He also speaks their black tongue. Alistair can use his charms as well and there are wood folk and others unlucky to in their attempts to reach the towns walls before the horde arrives. Alistair may also prove useful if you capture an enemy. Harass them when you can. Do not get captured and if you can determine where they will go next please send word to me. You also will take the River Road out of the city to Crossford, ferry over and then take the North Bay Road down to Fax and then make your way to find the horde. Any questions before you depart?"
Will there be any coin to perhaps buy some supplies for the harrying of the enemy? Oil to set firelines, perhaps some wood for stakes for pit traps?
He asked not really expecting too much aide but already running through ways to divide up harm and cull the orc hordes.
The warrior’s eyes widen as the spell is cast and he is about to say something when the monk snaps and brings order to things.
After the piece is said, it crosses Shortnose’s mind to trade any of his team for the brave female warrior, but he wise up and keep quiet.
Lucky favored the bold, but pushing it may as well make it worse. The elf-lady was good enough. There’ll be time for the other, at least he thinks.
Kolwyk tosses a pouch to Cerian...100 gp. "Horses are in the stables"
Thrand steps forward and takes the pouch containing 1,000 gp worth of coins. "We will make good use of this. Just to clarify, so that we are not accused of embezzlement, is the coin to be used exclusively for equipping the barony's militia, or may we spend some of it better equipping ourselves?"
Upon hearing the wild elf's questions, the knight replies, "You have some good ideas, Cerian. I think it would be best to purchase wood locally, or buy axes here and use them to cut stakes there. I will certainly buy axes thanks to your suggestion, and shovels and rope."
"As part of the management you drive the decisions of course. Though I do not agree with the determination to have me building defenses and tending the injured. Fire purifies and destroys. Few realize that while The Shrew is allied with Pelor, her faithful care little for healing. Though if no one else is better suited, then I see you must do with what you have."
Anchard turns to Sir Thrand, I believe you should be the lead for our team given your title, training, and familiarity with the task at hand. Do you agree?"
It will be put to very good use sir.
He paused tilting his head slightly at Sir Thrands words and nodding. He was not used to too much praise.
If you have time and the means a tower or two behind walls for archers to have an elevated position could help extend their range.. and perhaps their accuracy. Good luck friends, with the gods favor perhaps the amount of orcs that make it to the walls wont have the heart for more than an assault or two before they disband. . . From what Master Kolwyk says there will be enough of them I fear that no matter what we do some will still make their way to you... though We shall keep that as low a number as we are able.
He said pocketing the pouch of gold and looking to the team he was assigned. With a nod to them he moved torwards the stables once more to choose an appropriate horse. He was looking for a sturdy horse this time, one that would be able to ride longer than necessarily faster. If they found themselves having to flee from an orc horde he didnt want to be on a horse that found itsself lame after an imppresive sprint.
Victrix shrugs and moves to follow the ranger to the stables.
"Don't be too rough with 'im now, yeh hear?" She calls back to Tanariel with a cheeky grin.
Those going to Berwyn post in Team Gold gameplay. Gold can be used 750 town, and 50 per member. Gold Link
Those running amok in the woods post in Team Black gameplay. 100 gp in the pouch can be used to furnish your supplies for guerrilla warfare. Black Link
post your shopping lists and preparations in those threads. Thank you for the RPing there and team break down discussion. Was fun to read.
Before they leave the grey elf will present herself to the wood elf as he is in the stbles
good lady, I have not dealt with many of my grey elven cousins, your ways are... different than what I am used to, and I am in mourning still. I am not good company to anyone. What I have right now a mission and things to keep me from thinking too long and my sadness.
The young cavalier puffs out his chest when Anchard suggests that he lead the expedition to Berwyn. He thinks to himself, "It is only right and fitting that one of my station should have the command."
"I accept, ... Anchard, is it? Well met, sir. I look forward to working with you."
As everyone is about to go their separate ways, the knight is overcome with a sense of sadness at the parting of their original fellowship. He hastens to Victrix's side before she can leave the room, smirking at her comment to Tanariel, and gives her a hug. "Take care of yourself, Victrix. I look forward to hearing tales about your thrilling heroics. May the gods watch over you!"
Anchard gives curt bow to Thrand in a manner native to Anchard's homeland, "Seraph Anchard, and only recently if you're supposing my status."