Karnog snorts at the Sorcerer's proclamation.
"HA! Bloodlust! Racism! That's a good one, Kalim. You've been fighting alongside me for how long now? And you think I lust for blood and racial purity? I would suggest you reconsider your observations, my sorcerous companion."
Quieter, and more seriously, "Regardless of their general proclivities, THESE orcs have shown a capacity for organization and structure unlike the common rabble. They are operating like humans, and with their strength, birth-rates, and ability to see in the dark, that bodes very ill for the civilians around here. Besides, our charter is to explore and map, and who knows, perhaps the orcs will have a means to enter the big bad dungeon among their hideout."
"Sounds just like dwarves ...or humans. These bandits can protect the so-called common people. We have a mission. Vengeance is beneath me."
"I don't think you're listening to me. Or at least, my intentions are not being delivered properly. When we exit the dungeon, hopefully laden with blessings from above and bearing plenty of wealth, we will need a secure place to rest and recuperate. If these orcs, or others who threaten the peace around here, are left to operate with impunity, it is only a matter of time before they remove that secure place from our grasp. Think of this as pre-emptive security, for us as well as the people around here."
"Your assumptions align all too easily to the narrative you've already constructed. 'Evil orcs need to be slaughtered.' We were stopped by bandits, orcs attacked, perhaps thinking we too were bandits. They retreated. We have only the word of those that would extort us that this is sinister. We have zero evidence as to the orcs. Was their land encroached upon yet again? Are they nihilists wishing for death or heroes of their people? We DO have evidence of the growing threst within the old temple. You accuse orcs of savagery yet when they display organization and intelligence, that too is hated. Grunt helped all of your survive. I will not take part in any so-called raid."
Who is to say that the Orc warren that we contemplate attacking is not also connected somehow to our ultimate goal? We were told that there were many entrances and points of egress. Maybe knocking at the front door from the Graveyard is not the best approach?
"We know of two entrances that do not require the slaughter of orcs. I see no reason to wipe them out based on a possibility for which we have no evidence."
"I guess trying to gut us on sight wasn't enough. What's the matter Kalim, why does the thought of fighting orcs unman you so? Do you perhaps have one back home waiting in your bed?"
"I don't kill any sapient creature based on incomplete information. Even in my army days orders were based on facts, not supposition. Why are you so excited to kill? Only time you feel like a man?"
"Why are you so eager to let the common man fend for himself against a murderous band of orcs?" He smiles slyly. "And it's what comes after saving the innocent is where you get the things to make you feel like a man..."
"That these orcs are a threat is based solely on the word of bandits you were ready to kill before the orcs attacked. Do YOU think the command man and all his armies and these lovely bandits totally defenseless? If these orcs do wage war upon man ...for reasons unknown ...there are many who could stop them. We have higher duties."
Desmond lifts up his shirt to show the multitude of new scars he accumulated less than a minute ago. "No, I am not taking their word. I'm believing my own eyes and the pain in my flesh." He lets his shirt drop. "They're not defenseless but they're sure as hell not as equipped as we are to deal with him. I'm not going to have the blood of innocents on my hands because you simply thought this an inconvenience."
"If you are set against the idea of defending the people of this area, so be it, Sorcerer Kalim. I, for one, think it a bad idea to leave such foes at our backs, or standing over the exits while we are underground. I concede to your demands, however. I have no desire to quarrel further among ourselves."
Vatilda finds Kalim's words troubling when so much of her personal struggle is with keeping the bestial brutality within her contained. She tries however to be accepting of his position.
"These people are doing what they can to help true innocents... those not able to fight, but it is not enough. To your argument of equivalency... raiding parties who slay non-combatants are - in my eyes, evil. Fighting to protect the lives of our young is not meddling in the natural order of things... it the essence of humanity. To ignore this injustice, and instead devote ourselves to scraping evil from the walls of Rappan Atthuk... that brings about a question of what drives you? Windows to the secret fears, desires, and coddled pains held within the walls of a man's heart are found where he strays from reason."
"Vatilda, you too are willing to kill based in what could have been a case of mistaken identity? I thought better of you. You keep assuming these orcs will slaughter the innocents - as if such a thing exists. The orcs are not so different ...certain powers declare them evil ...as if mankind was not. If we tarry on our mission there may not be man OR orc that survives."
Karnog looks askance at Kalim as he talks about the impossibility of innocence.
"Really? I suppose I understand a bit better now. You do not believe in the presence of Good, or Evil. Everything is simply relative, and based off the impressions of mortals. That is a very telling, if all too common philosophy, Sorcerer."
Desmond barks laughter. "No, I suppose innocent is a strong word. Much less evil though. Kalim, I understand what you're saying, but we can't let well organized brutes just roam like that. We were hard pressed to fight them! Imagine the poor people at that village trying to fight them off. It would be a bloody slaughter." Desmond walks over to the other group. "I'm going to help get rid of them one way or the other, regardless if you help or not." He doesn't look angry, just adamant.
Well, it would seem that you, Kalim, of the waffling tendencies, are the only among us not willing to attack and clean out the evil machinations of an organized group of Orcs. Are we to all set aside our beliefs and convictions for you alone? Maybe you should skulk back to town, or meet us at the graveyard entrance to our ultimate destination? I, for one, choose not to be guided in my ways by those who care more for the feelings of evil doers than the innocents that are sure to fall to the blades of Orcs.
Are all of you going to wilt under the misguided neutrality of Kalim? If so, I fear for our ability to be successful against the forces of evil in our true mission.
Desmond backpedals a bit to Kalim's defense. "Ok, misguided is a bit of a strong word too...he just has a different perspective is all."
Des, you just showed us your wounds! He is lost and misguided in my opinion on this issue, and I would not care to follow him down such a path.
Desmond shrugs. "I see his reasoning. I disagree with it, but I understand it. If the orcs weren't as organized as they were I might even side with him. As it is I think they're being manipulated by somebody with worse intentions than just doing some raiding."
"Let me speak slowly for our paladin. The only evidence we have that these orcs have ill intent is the WORD OF BANDITS YOU WERE GOING TO KILL BEFORE. If that's all the excusr you need for a murder spree ...perhaps it is not the orcs that are savages. Go. Kill, rape, pillage...I'm sure your foolish 'gods' will enjoy the sacrifices. I'll be doing the job we were hired t do."
Desmond stares in disbelief at Kalim, then searches his chest as if he lost something. "Did the scars disappear?" He looks around at all the blood in the rain. "Did we not just fight them?" He walks over to Karnog, placing the dwarf's hand on his forehead. "Am I sick doc? Am I going insane?" He spins back to Kalim. "So what exactly do you call them attacking us?"
"As far as we know, the bandits were attacked and we simply happened to be there. You assume orcs must be at fault when their foes are extortionists."
"So it was an accident? They accidentally tried to butcher us just because we happened to be there? Well now you're making me want to kill them even more!" He looks at the rest of the party. "It appears the rest of us agree Kalim. So are you going to come with us or are you going to pursue the mission on your own?"
"For the last time I am saying simply WE DON'T KNOW why they attacked us. They retreated and I seek no vengeance. It was clearly part of some larger struggle of which we know nothing. Have fun with your genocide."
With that, Kalim leaves.
"I would hazard that you are not insane. Rather, you disagree with Sorcerer Kalim, and that seems to disagree with you morally."
Malcolm yells after the sorcerer.
Be careful your words, heathen, or you will suffer the wrath of the righteous gods you blasphemy!
"I highly doubt that.Unless that was a threat ...save your bullying for the orcs. Abadarian. I know your true nature."
Desmond steps in front of Malcolm and puts his hands on his shoulders. "Alright there, that's enough. He heard what you had to say and he disagreed, let him be." He looks back after the retreating, hard gazed sorcerer. I hope he doesn't get himself killed.
"Hey sorcerer hold on a sec....don't walk away." The half-elf yells then turns back to the others, "it's true we would have tried to extract a toll. If seeing is believing I can show you the refugees" She then looks over at the others, "Those of you...of higher religious standing, don't get me started on religion,...perhaps, you should pause to consider others point of view."
She swallows loudly, "Sure eradicating the Daarog's band would help the common people but if you have a "charter or mission" then perhaps you should just go towards the graveyard - er, I assume that's were your heading."
Malcolm takes a deep breath, and turns his back on the departing, Kalim.
Grimm just laughs at the whole situation.
Bwahahaha! An I thought I was the odd one out. Yer sayin yer happy to kill fer pay right? Stick ta tha contract? Sounds every bit the heartless merc. Enjoy yeself. We're goin ta smash some scum fer people who cannot afford yer service, Sorcerer. Hahahaha!
He is more speaking to stir the pot. Honestly his own god cared not for good or evil. Only War first and battle if their were no decent wars about. In a violent world, that gave a tremendous amount of leeway to the fights a Gorumite chose.
Starting to understand Kalim's position, Vatilda growls at the balled-fist-for-brains comment from Grimm "You are intentionally distorting his argument. He sees us ready to kill at the word of a bandit human. We are powerful enough to decide who lives or dies. When we are not personally involved, we are a weapon for those most able to appeal to us. Is our ability to see the truth in things as great as our ability to kill?"
... and follows after Kalim.
"Please understand... if your concern is that we will slaughter the orcs blindly on the word of these people, then you should come with us. Whether we attempt to the divine the true situation, or gain the ear of the orcs through a show of strength... the loss of your abilities and empathy will help no one.
If your concern is time... you apparently see more urgency than the rest of us. I would assume then there is something you know that we do not... something that we should know?"
She looks him in the eyes. "If there is nothing I can say to change your mind, then I am sorry..."
Agail mentions, "You all have some...internal issues to resolve." She motions to both sides of the conflict. "If you want to mvoe on towards the graveyard head that way," she points to the southeast "...it's about 4 miles you'll crest those lush hills.
"If you are interested in the tracking Daarog's, we can lead you or you can go your own if that bothers some of you."
Well, what are we doing? I am still for heading after the Orcs first. I think that Kalim is the only one who has deserted us.
Orcs. They're closer. We'd be doin some good and it ain't like we've NEEDED him yet. Nice ta have but Vatilda is doin just as good a job o flingin spells about.
It was a setup. Grimm had no love for arcane spellcasters and seeing the very rude and normally vain sorcerer on the outer was great fun!
Fine, then, if we are all in agreement, let's head to the Orcs!
malcolm packs up things, checks his armor and sword, then prepares to move out.
"Very well. I will worry about the Sorcerer on his own, but if he is unable to reconcile his moral decisions with our actions, that is his decision."
The adventurers, , are able to pick-up the trail of large warband. About half a mile out you see a break in the band's movement leading two separate directions.
Agail mentions, "Smaller group is probably the archers guarding the rear on that over-hang," she points to an small hill that overlooks what appears to be a small ruined hamlet. "That's the hamlet we mentioned." She then motions to an area a bit farther away, "That second hill has the cave and that looks to be where the larger party is heading."
"Fare thee well, Vatilda. Do please keep your mind open around these bloodthirsty dogs and their idiot gods."
The sorcerer walks away shaking his head, muttering under breath about some swampland he could sell the party. He walks over the log bridge and starts to head in the general direction of the graveyard.
------
Meanwhile the rest of party makes their way towards Daarog's hideout.
"We should neutralize their ranged support and scouts before venturing forth."
Group 2:
Kalim as you stomp off you begin to eventually cool down and notice your surroundings.
Hrm. Grimm is no more than a walking sword and Malcolm a hypocritical bully, but I though better of Karnog. Foolishly religious, but with his own wisdom and heart. Tsk. If there's two things I hate, it is racism and dwarves.
Group 1: Karnog, Grimm, Des, Vatilda, Malcolm and the Agail's group.
Agail mentions to the Karnog, "I'll take my group to the right flank and hold them from escaping and gaining higher ground on you. You all can make the direct attack. With that she nods and takes her band off to the right.
You all track another half mile and you see that you have a good height over the ruined hamlet and the cave.
Group 2:
Kalim you stop as you notice signs of broken brush, something large has passed through this area, on closer inspection you can observe four paw prints.