Shakes his head at the shaman as he waits for the others to signal they are ready to return to the fort.
"Well, you could bury it, or we can put some back into it, and let some unfortunate recruit in Lastwall have it. Or, maybe, we can find someone who wants to buy an orcish trophy. We'll probably have a spare orcish head soon enough. Not that orcs usually use them, as far as I know.", says Castor, putting his knapsack on his longspear, shouldering the quiver with the other five, and beginning the walk to Lastwall.
You arrive back at the fortress mid-afternoon. Things appear to be pretty much as they were when you left. Sgt Bayan is still terrorizing the fresh recruits and otherwise the fortress seems empty.
"Enemy go to cage first. I watch enemy. Find warleader tell him what eyes see. Then warleader come talk to enemy. Warleader tell us what next."
"Sounds good. Why don't Twiks, DuChamp, and I check in with the captain, while Jorizer, Thunderhand, and Davco escort our guest to his accommodations. Any objections?"
Jake looks at Jorizer . . and the rest for acknowledgement.
twicks nods his agreement to Jake.
Then smiling to him self he mutters some gnomish and make a quick gesture with his finger and a the sound of loud flaculence eminates from Castor.
"Works. Find warleader. Brawny man and dwarf we find cage for enemy. Ask other humans they show way."
Looks at the human or the dwarf to take lead.
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Ragrimm looks at Castor, and then at Twiks, smiling knowingly. He then looks stern again and walks up to the nearest senior-looking soldier and says "S'cuse me lad, Do you know were to find the nearest jail cell? I have a feeling our friend here owes us some more answers."
Turning to Jake, Castor salutes ironically, and says, "Whatever you say, boss. Just don't try and have too many leaders in the same place. Trust a Galter about that." Last two sentences sound a bit too serious for Castor.
"Real mature. What are you, 10?", says Castor, after the gnome casts the spell.
Castor then waves at the others and goes off to Captain Ortez's place, waving for the others to follow.
Waving at the guards at the door, Castor salutes, "It's the scouting party reporting in. We got a greenskin ready to be questioned, he should be in the dungeon right about now. Alive and relatively well, but if I'm granted permission to speak freely, I was cooking last night, so I can't guarantee the well part. Permission to talk to the Captain now, sirs?" All of it is said in a slightly too trying military voice.
Shaking his head at Twiks and Castor, Jake makes his way to the Captain's tent with the two of them.
Upon seeing Ortez. "Good afternoon, Captain."
After Brother Davco finishes delivering the prisoner he heads over to the armory to deliver the weapons he picked up to Horn'tos.
"I remember you saying that your supplies are running low so I picked up these while we were out. The previous owners are not going to need them."
He lays out the weapons and looks at Horn'tos, "What do you think?"
You stow the orc in the cells below the fortress without any issues.
After Brother Davco finishes delivering the prisoner he heads over to the armory to deliver the weapons he picked up to Horn'tos.
"I remember you saying that your supplies are running low so I picked up these while we were out. The previous owners are not going to need them."
He lays out the weapons and looks at Horn'tos, "What do you think?"
"Orc weapons may look crude, but they know how to make effective cutting edges, no one will be happy to use a orc blade, but in times such as these any blade is better than none."
Shaking his head at Twiks and Castor, Jake makes his way to the Captain's tent with the two of them.
Upon seeing Ortez. "Good afternoon, Captain."
"Good that you made it back in one piece, it take it from the lack of wounds and dried blood that your comrades are simply performing other tasks rather than dead. What do you have to report?"
"We came upon a scouting party of 4 orcs. We were forced to engage. We captured one. The other three are buried. The 4th is on his way to the prison cells now with the other three members of our party. Twicks and DuChamp here helped with the interrogation. They can tell you what we learned from the orc."
Jake looks over to Twicks and Castor to give their report to the Captain.
"Very true my friend. If I find any more I will be sure to bring the to you. I need to get back to my group now but let me ask you, what is your opinion of this operation? Can we hold our own here if we come under attack?"
This veteran should know what is really going on around here. Lets see what he is willing to share.
"Very true my friend. If I find any more I will be sure to bring the to you. I need to get back to my group now but let me ask you, what is your opinion of this operation? Can we hold our own here if we come under attack?"
This veteran should know what is really going on around here. Lets see what he is willing to share.
"That depends, if the orcs lack a way of breaching the gate we can hold as long as our food lasts. However with our numbers if the gate is lost we will likely all perish."
Brother Davco smiles at Horn'tos and says, "Well I hope dwarves were consulted in the construction of that gate. Farewell"
He then heads off to the Captain's Office to check in with the group.
Looking at the two next to him waiting for one of them to speak.
Now they want to keep silent? Usually can't shut them up.
Then back to the captain.
"All right, I guess I'm giving the report. As I was saying we captured one of the scouts. The orcs are 3 days out and planning on invading Lastwall. There is one that is leading the rest, we don't know his name. The captured orc is currently in the prison cell here in the fort if there's more you'd like to know from him."
Castor listens to Jake attentively, then turns to the Captain and says, "Captain, I have nothing else to add. We're awaiting further orders. Sir." His tone is as flat as possible.
Ah, the joys of bureaucracy. I hope we can go to the barracks and have a pint before bed. Hopefully next mission would be more... more.
"This is troubling news indeed. We must spread the word for outposts along the eastern border to be on alert and increase patrolling. In the morning you must take word to Captain Gauntwood at Castle Everstand, stopping at outposts along the way, I don't think any of his soldiers were sent to Vigil for this offensive the higher commanders have planned, he is likely in a better position to strike at the foe in strength."
Castor looks at the Captain, and nods when he's done with his instructions. "Permission to leave, Sir?" When given the order, Castor waves at Jake and Twiks, and leaves to the boozer. "Come on, orcslayers, it's time to buy me a drink. Or I'll buy ya one. Or, as I'm suspecting, it's free, but rationed..." He waits for everyone and goes to get something to drink before retiring for the night.
-------------
In the place for rest, Castor asks, "So, what are the odds of us getting horses for the trip there? Or are we hoofing it ourselves?", Castor seems relatively happy, relatively being the keyword.
His eyes are set on the enemy. Gripping his kukri Jorizer stares at the enemy behind the barred door.
"Noik dar cul rarg yos garres sul dan..."
Jorizer's eyes burn with hatred and his grip tightens about the hilt of his kukri. He would have answers now or gut this enemy soon.
"If there's nothing else, captain, I'm going to clean up and get me a hot meal before we hit the road."
If the Captain dismisses Jake he'll leave the tent.
Catching up to Castor, "So, DuChamp, about that drink you're going to buy me. . ."
Seeing Jake run up to him, Castor stops and waits. "Yeah, what about it? If we go now, we'll probably get there before the dwarves and our glorious leader drank everything, so I'd hurry if I were you."
With the prisoner being put into a cell, Ragrimm goes back to Jake and Castor. "The prisoner is dealt with, lads. Now where's that bloody gnome. I believe he owes me a drink."
Castor sits in the R&R area, and puts his feet on the table. Turning to Ragrimm, he says in a joyful tone, "You know, Ragrimm, the economy of alcohol in free-roaming parties such as ours drives everyone insane. Wine for you and me, yes?" he says, waving at the person responsible for the drinks. "So, I'm buying now, with the secret desire in my heart never to have to do it again. As we say in the old country, as we raise our glasses. Let's drink!" He takes the mug of wine, puts some water in it, and drinks it down as quickly as he can.
"So, anyone feel like sharing a personal moment? It's as good a time as any, we could be some orc's personal slave this time tomorrow?", he continues in his usual tone.
Brother Davco finds the Jake, Castor, and Ragrimm in the tavern and orders ale. After exchanging information with them he asks, "Where are the others?"
"Hmm.. Ok Castor" Replies Ragrimm. "Been a long time since I've had wine. Spending half your life alone up a mountain really has some downsides."
"Not really sure where Jorzier and the gnome are, brother. They'll probably be here soon enough."
Jake orders an ale and a shot of Dwarven whiskey. He sits down among his comrades and raises his whiskey. "To a successful mission and may we repeat this toast soon."
With that, Jake downs his whiskey and slowly works on his ale conversing with the party.
Enjoy the night off, it's back to work tomorrow.
Digusted at the enemy's silence Jorizer turns and leaves.
"Come fey folk. Find others. Been long time. No warleader."
Jorizer heads out of the barracks towing fey folk along.
The players drink into the night, joined by a few of the other soldiers. But you are each limited to 3 drinks for the night. Eventually Horn'Tos shows up and tells you tales of years long past when he was a young soldier, newly joined to the armies of lastwall. He tells you a particularly interesting tale of the charge of the ninety and nine where nearly 100 knights lead by a Captain Micael Tepes broke an orc battle line nearly 100 years ago.
------------
Morning comes quickly, but it is a warm sunny day and proves to be a good day for travelling.
Jake heads down for an early breakfast before strapping on his armor and getting his gear together. He then meets up with the rest of the party at the front gate eager to head out for the next mission.
Brother Davco sleeps well through the night and gets up early. He prepares for his day with prayers to Sarenrae and then gathers his gear and heads off to meet the others.
Seeing Jake he heads over and says,"We should head over to the Captain's office and get something official in writing to pass along to Captain Gauntwood and the outpost we pass."
Jorizer sleeps uneasy this night. The thoughts of encountering the enemy makes his blood boil. More than once Jorizer stops himself from going to the cell where the enemy lies asleep.
As the red and yellow sunlight slowly brightens the sky Jorizer rises making sure to gather all of his items.
Thinking of the humans Jorizer wonders how long it will be before they leave the fort. Each rising of the sun made the enemy closer.
The unblooded would be worked hard today if the battlemaster had been told of the coming of the enemy. The unblooded would hate him for that but that would be good. Noone liked a battlemaster. Any that did found an enemy blade sticking in their gut soon.
After eating some food Jorizer headed to the gate to await the others. Nearing it he spied the shaman and the brawny man already there.
"Where others?"
Ragrimm wakes up, well slept. He dons his armour and shield and grabs his hammer. He says a short prayer to Gozreh, replenishing his spells,
Gozreh, father wind. Give me strength this day.
He meets Jake, Davco and Jorzier at the gate. "I'm here now lads, whats the goal today?"
"I say we hit the road. We need to warn as many outposts as we can as soon as we can. We don't have time to waste."
Before you leave the castle, the captain hands you 5 letters, one for the commander of castle everstand and 4 for the sergeants in command of the watchtowers on route.
Everything goes smoothly and you arrive at the first watchtower in time for an early lunch. The watchtower is a 3 story, round stone tower atop a tall hill. You are hailed one of the soldiers on duty from the top of the watchtower.
"What brings visitors to blackrock hill?"
Jorizer pushes the shaman forward.
"Talk for us. They see me they try to put arrows through me."
Jorizer looks at the watchtower nodding at the sight of it. Looking at the others.
"Good against oncoming enemy. Hope they have man to defend against enemy."
Brother Davco stumbles forward then looks back at Jorizer, his expression clearly stating, "Did you really have to shove me?"
He then looks up at the soldier and yells, "We have just come from Castle Firrine and have a message for your commander from Captian Ortez. Would you please inform him that we need to see him as soon as possible?"
Brother Davco stumbles forward then looks back at Jorizer, his expression clearly stating, "Did you really have to shove me?"
He then looks up at the soldier and yells, "We have just come from Castle Firrine and have a message for your commander from Captian Ortez. Would you please inform him that we need to see him as soon as possible?"
"give us a moment and the door will be opened."
About 2 minutes later the door into the tower is opened by another one of the soldiers. "welcome to blackrock hill, sergeant Diaz is in the armoury."
After Jorizer's comment, Castor says, "Oh, come on, you're not that bad. I wouldn't shoot you on sight. Probably because I can't hold a bow properly, but still. And even if you are, these guys there aren't to blame. It ain't easy being green, glorious leader."
Castor lets the others go in the building first, and then says, "Armories. I like those."
Jorizer steps forward and stops at the gate.
Turning to one of the human warriors, "You take us to warleader? Or you want us find armory?"
Jake follows the group through the gate bringing up the rear guard using his ranseur as a walking stick g giving a nod to the guard manning the gate as he passes.
"Thanks you soldier. Please lead us to the armory."
Brother Davco turns to the group and and says, "Let's stick together while we are here. We have a long way to go to get to the next outpost and I would like to get there before nightfall. We all know what happened the last time we were running around in the dark."
He then turns and follows the soldier into the outpost.
"I forget that newlings haven't spent time in one of these towers, the entire second level is the armoury."
---------------
Once you reach the second floor by the ladder, you see and older, one-armed human with salt and pepper hair.
"Welcome soldiers, you are from castle firrine? New orders I am guessing?
"Yes sir. Straight from Captain Ortez this morning."
Brother Davco hands over the orders to the man and then looks around the room for anything interesting. He waits quietly for a Sgt Diaz to read the orders.
Jake lets Diaz finish reading the report before speaking.
"What activity have you seen out here recently?"
Jorizer stood off to the side while the humans spoke. He listened carefully but his eyes scanned over the warleader's space. It was sparse unlike the warleader's of his former tribe. He saw the good in that it was less to distract the warleader so he could focus on his purpose.
Maybe these humans might stand a chance of living after all.
Castor hums a tavern tune quietly, standing in the back, looking at the spears in the armory. Seeing one of substantially better make than the others, he focuses on it for a bit. He then analyzes the keep for obvious flaws that could be exploited by assassins, and resumes looking at the conversation.
So much redundancy... Why do we need to give a report orally, after we handed the note... Less time in the field, more time in the pub...
Jake lets Diaz finish reading the report before speaking.
"What activity have you seen out here recently?"
"It has been quiet, almost too quiet, which if this letter contains the truth is probably because they have been building their strength. But I shouldn't keep you, you are probably hoping to reach kneeblood knoll by sundown."
"Aye, that we are. Thank you for your time and good luck to you."
To the party,
"We best be heading out."
Jake then turns and heads out of Diaz's office.