Warrok stands in a proud stance, his wolf beside him.
"I am Warrok, warrior of Wolftooth tribe. My companion Amarog. We fight as pack, bring death to enemies of orcs.
"I am called Anol, Samurai formerly under the late Master Reiko," Anol says, one palm to his chest. Placing the same palm on the wolf beneath him he continues, "And this is Husom." Husom tilts his head back having heard his name. He's come to expect a scratch behind the ears from his master, and he receives it.
Runt was pleased to see that the YellowEyes were not unwilling to bring them before the chief, likely the Great Chief's banner had much to do with such. "I am Runt of the Wolftooth" Runt wondered how the YellowEye Orcs woul react to such a name on someone of her size, she had long since learned that she was onkly a 'runt' if compared to others of her kind, to Orcs she was still massive even if she was shorter still then Greez and Odak.
Seeing runt, the warrior's eye narrow. Looking at Mogwag he says keep your ogre leashed. Any trouble is on your head.
Turgrim is not normally prone to outbursts; but due to his lack of knowledge of the context of his jibe, he feels he must speak up. "Runt's tongue isn't shaped right to lie about her tribe. She's Wolftooth, ogre aside, and will do no more harm to you than I would..." but then he grins. "That is, none unless provoked."
He squares his shoulders on his dire wolf mount and keeps smiling at the warrior, his expression exposing some of his sharp hobgoblin teeth.
The warrior flinches at turgrim's remark, and quickly says As you say, turgrim. W, will you come this way. The chief is expecting you
The warrior shows his age and youth in this. Without further conversation you are ushered to the chief.
He is sitting in one of the surface barracks, and observes you impassively. Beside him is a serious faced young orc, who has the symbol of clan chief on his shoulder. The older orc is covered in scars and tattoos, and he has a great axe held by him, which is covered in runes and signs of power. The young warrior introduces you, then moves to the back of the room.
After a moment the old orc says, in a rasping whisper so, the great chief finally sends a response. Are you all he sent? These ogres won't just go away if you look fierce. Or are you here for another reason?
Draxia scoffed at the banding of words. She rolled her eyes and looked at them. Ogres what a ludicrous idea.
"We come here to seek out strong warriors to fight an ancient fight. As for these ogres? This is news to us." She says as she stands strong carrying herself in a regal manner. She tapped her chin a bit as she stood there in contemplation.
"Good Chieftain, may I ask what sort of problems have you been having with these ogres?"She says as she looks at him and smiles."It seems to me that since we are here, and have been blessed enough to garner an audience with the fierce and proud Yellow Eye Chieftain, that we might sit and discuss these foreboding tidings over a meal?"She says trying to get the Chieftain to agree so that they can get a more private atmosphere with him.
The scarred face smile at draxia, and he says Of course, that sounds like a good idea. But firstly, you really have no idea about the ogres. My messengers must have been caught.
The old orc shows his years for a moment. we are under siege. A hag of great power has arrived in the area, and she has taken control of several ogre bands, and some trolls and hill giants. They let people in, but don't let them out. It wouldn't have worked when our clan was strong, but we took great loses in the bearclaw war. If it wasn't for the fact she is fixated on that human mission, she would have takien us out, I think. I have only about 100 warriors left, mostly too young, or too old. To think we deployed hundreds once. We do have a strong position, but we are unable to hunt properly.
He looks up. Martok, prepare a meal for our guests, and arrange accommodation
the orc who escorted you says yes chief and heads out.
He gestures to the boy beside him.
This Bretai, son of Kasai bearslayer. He is the son of our last chief. He will be chief once he is of age, and has fought in battle. If we survive, of course.
Well we can most certainly take your message back about the Ogre to the War Chief.
Our current task is to do something about the Humans, to Remove the Bridgette river mission by any means. And so we came straight here in order to learn more about that camp. Who runs what, their fighting forces, defense and to whom they own their allegiance to. If Mogwag has understood that Hag is also trying to take the Human mission out. So if it is removed and her forces are left intact they would overrun you?
The old chief frowns. If you take out the mission, the ogres will be over us like lice on a bearclaw. Even if you get the message out, there will be nothing here but the dead and ruins.
"If pack helps you deal with ogres, will you give us help with humans?"
"Yes, let us help with the ogres. Then, together, we can remove the human scum from the mission."
Can you do this? The key to defeating the ogres.is to kill the hag. They'll fall apart is she is gone. We can give guides, and the location of their lair. We have known where it is for sometime, but had no one able to attack it. you hear a desperate hope in the old chief's voice.
He starts to describe what they know of the ogres lair. The ogre forces are spread into 5 or six camps, but the hag's lair in set in a mountain grotto, near a hot spring. The ogres like dipping their victims in that alive before eating them. There might be ten or so ogres, but not all together. Plus the hag and her hill giant lover. Possibly guard animals as well. Unfortunately they have no idea of the interior layout.
Anol grins, "My blade has yet to taste hag, and it loves to try new things." Husom grumbles, Anol looks over at him and says, "The same goes for my little brother here as well." He chuckles grasping his cowl and shaking it affectionately.
"Sounds like fun," Turgrim rumbles, licking his lips in anticipation. "Point the Wolftooth in the right direction and we'll start busting some heads for you."
Draxia nodded as she heard this story. She was not much of a fighter, she also did not know the strengths of this group. It was interesting however that they came to find themselves not only gearing up to fight the humans but now ogres.
The mention of the hag perked her interests. She knew this hag would have baubles as well. She nodded taking in all the words of her host and her companions. Once satisfied she smiles."I see, I guess we need to stop this hag. I suspect we could shoulder this burden. But first let us eat and learn more as I wish to know more about. I do know when these ogres are quelled, we can possibly see your fighting force get a true taste of human blood, maybe some slaves or two? But as I said before food and drink in an intimated setting is far better to discuss things."she says as she flaunts a bit of her self to the chieftain trying to mesmerize him with her whiles.
So a hag with a hill giant at around 5-6 ogre. Mogwag ponders for a few seconds.
if her groto is somewhat removed from the ogre's camps and we can find a trail that lead there and remain undetected. It would be doable. Not all in this party are that stealth. Do you think chief that we can approach undetected and block any sound of alarm from reaching the others camp?
"I can ask beasts of best path to hag, beasts can tell me many things useful. Can scout with Amarog."
We are not in any hurry and should be need can take a day or two to prepare out assault. Mogwag isn't really sneaky
Runts generally calm demeanor begins to slowly crack as the chief beings describing the hags lair his words sounds all to familiar to her as he described her home she grit her teeth in an effort to keep her fury contained. "I can give you the layout of the interior." she said letting out a heavy breath as she regains control of herself.
"You describe my old home, it has been a very long time... But I know it as well now as I did as a child. It appears Brak has let the family fall under the sawy of this hag. All the more reason for me to slaughter them all, the hag and Brek will fall." Runt said with a nod.
"If I can kill Brek, I may have a plan that will make things go even more smoothly..." Runt said without elaborating further on the contents of the plan.
Runts generally calm demeanor begins to slowly crack as the chief beings describing the hags lair his words sounds all to familiar to her as he described her home she grit her teeth in an effort to keep her fury contained. "I can give you the layout of the interior." she said letting out a heavy breath as she regains control of herself.
"You describe my old home, it has been a very long time... But I know it as well now as I did as a child. It appears Brak has let the family fall under the sawy of this hag. All the more reason for me to slaughter them all, the hag and Brek will fall." Runt said with a nod.
"If I can kill Brek, I may have a plan that will make things go even more smoothly..." Runt said without elaborating further on the contents of the plan.
Anol is happy to hear they have an insider, even with that information, though, we will still not be able to accomplish with seven what the Yellow-Eyes couldn't with hundreds.
"I'm sure the Yellow-Eyes will want some glory for themselves, no?" he says more than asks.
Alas, except for a couple of guides, the rest of warriors must remain to secure the village. We can help with supplies and so on. the says regretfully.
To draxia his eye twinkling a bit he says my dear, I would enjoy such a dinner. But alas, my wife would object strenuously. To all here I am the chief, to her a mere husband.
As he speaks food and drink are brought in, along with a few other orcs. A bard starts to play the ootoon (think bag pipes) as spices are added to the fire to add a festive smell. Strong ale and spirits are also uncapped.
As the feast goes on, the lair of the hag, and the terrain around is discussed.
Anol polishes off half a pig in the first few minutes throwing the bones to Husom. He keeps to himself mostly, answering questions when asked, but only just.
Warrok approaches Runt in a careful manner.
"I see you have history with this hag. You react... different. Pack take care of its own. We fight for your revenge, Runt need not worry."
"It is not the Hag I have history of, I do not recall her. No it is the ogres, they are what remains of my kin and should still be lead by my eldest brother."
"If my plan works out then we will not require any aid against them, If we can discern how the hag has herself defended it can go in one of two ways either us taking her and her giant out first. Or we deal with my kin first"
"And I believe the easiest way to deal with them will be for me to try something I tried many years ago, I will challenge my brother Brek for the right to rule the family. If I win the others should fall in line behind me and will likely aid in killing the hag and destroying the mission. Though I am unsure of if the clan is just my own kin any longer, we were small before, Father, Mother, and my three brothers, mother was due to bare another soon which would leave five adults at least unless mother has passed and any amount of children born of Brek."
"What you know of hag and her giant? Would be wise to know weakness of enemy before fight, makes pack stronger."
" Hags are miserable wretches whose natural magic was the beginnings of many an orc witches magic. We have found other ways since then but they brought the arcane to us." She said with slight disgust. Draxia had been trained and trained well in the ancient lore of her craft and how the Orcs obtained it.She was not much for talking about it more then that.
"As for what hags we face I know not. I do know a good fast assault on her is better then a prolonged fight. She will lash at us will spells while her minions seek to soften us. I know we should ask the chieftain for something to lure the creature to us?" she says pondering possible cunning plans to slay this hag and get her goods.
The old chief stirs. the hag likes summoning creatures to fight for her. When she does this she holds up a rod of wood, with a gem afixed to the end. She also likes curses.
Warrok stands there, thinking.
"Hmm. Witchcraft dagnerous, defies nature. But pack stronger than witch, will bring her head to Yellow eyes chief."
Her ears perk up at the revelation."A rod you say, sounds promising"
Turgrim shifts his weight from foot to foot. "Then do we make straight for the hag first, or follow Runt's suggestion and let her challenge her brother to single combat? And can Runt even WIN in single combat versus her older brother?"
ogres have no honor, they would not hold to the duel. This is but one band she controls. At least 50 are under her sway but they are scattered about, surrounding us and the mission. This has been happening for weeks. the old chief pauses, musing.
she could have destroyed us by now, but I think she is drawing it out.
Anol suggests that they use Runt's challenge as a diversion, keeping the rest of their presence a secret. Then when the majority of the camp is watching the combat, hopefully including the hag, the rest of us can find, steal, and/or destroy the hag's staff.
Crippling your opponent however you can before attacking was the first lesson his master taught him.
Mogwag will defer to the ogre in this matter. One other possible course of action if you wanted to go trough with this duel. We raid and kill the hag and her giant male friend, and then straight after you can challenge your brother for the right to lead. This way we remove the one enforcing her rule and the default Chieftain comes back to your family.
Malgrim grunts, "Elf Magic... psh! Let her call minions. Anything that bleeds can die! I say we go straight for the hag."
Summoning magic isn't the proving of any race. Shaman, cleric, sorcerer and pretty much any one that can cast spell has the possibility of summoning creatures for the outer planes
Runt grit her teeth at the assertion that she could not kill Brek "I can and I will. They do not have honor in the same ways as the orc tribes but they do respect power, the challenge for leadership of the family holds strong in many clans. I know my kin will fall in with whoever is the rightful leader."
Runt said with a stiff nod "Anol and Mogwags ideas are good, perhaps while I kill Brek you all can focus on killing the Hag or the giant. Hag will likely be in what was fathers room, anyone else would likely be in the living area or getting food from the larder."
"It is not very complicated to navigate, and the only room that actually has a door was Fathers room, but the door is just simple wood unless the Hag has changed it. My kin and my kind in general are... not very smart, getting past them will be easy if you make little noise and if they are focused on me it will make things all the easier."
"Mother would be old by now and is likely to remain in the living area until my challenge is issued if she is even alive. Any others, even those not apart of the family will likely swarm around a challenge, my people like violence and getting a chance to see a battle for the right to rule is one they are unlikely to pass up, be careful of her as her eyes were sharp and her mind a bit sharper than the others. I would prefer if she did not have to die but if it is necessary then so be it."
"I am unsure how the hag will respond to the challenge, with luck she will think little of it and remain inside and if we are VERY lucky she will send the giant out to oversee it and then you can kill her without her protector around. If we do this it would be best to decide a manner of signaling your victory over the hag, my victory over Brek will have an easy enough signal to follow."
Mogwag is rather thinking that both things should be done almost at the same time. That as soon as we enter the cave you head out and challenge your brother. That way they are occupied while we dispatch her
Turgrim grumbles. His first impression had led him to believe that Mogwag was soft in the head, but listening to him now, he begins to see merit in his thinking. "The half-breed's plan is sound, providing a cover for the rest of us while we kill the witch. I say, we go with it!" he pounds the butt of his standard against the ground for emphasis.
Anol, like any other hobgoblin would be, is outraged at Mogwag and Turgrim's words. He sees the plan for the hag to be dealt with under cover of Runt's challenge as his idea. "The half-breed's plan!? Mogwag simply repeated my idea! I'll not be undermined by some half-orc god-lover!"
Molock smiles toothily, and says the night is nearly done. Martok wiil guide you too your accommodation, and be available if you need anything. Your plan sounds dangerous, but worthy.
The old chief straightens. If this is done, you will have the thanks of the yellow eyes and aid versus the mission. I would ask one thing on the mission. Don't slay the young or women at the mission, but capture them. Our numbers are low, and we need workers. Young women can produce new tribe members, and the children will grow into useful tribe members, I am sure. Of course this only applies if you do attack the mission. Is there anything else?
Guess no one must have heard you then Anol, speak louder then next time is what Mogwag would recommend.
he turns toward the chief
Mogwag can promises anything yet. Let us first succeed, one way or an other, with the ogres and after some reconnaissance of the Missions defenses we can discuss plans and strategies.
Warrok is silent for a while, then speaks in a serious tone.
"Would not be wise for Runt to face tribe alone. If giant there, and you kill brother, who stop giant and rest to kill you? I can wait with Amarog in ambush. Ogres not honorable, might be angry if you kill brother, then great danger for you."
Runt seemed to struggle with herself as she attempted to find a response to Warroks words, she wanted to say that while generally her people lacked traditional concepts of honor they still possessed something similar when it came to family, that the result of her challenge would be absolute and nobody would be foolish enough to cause a stir because of it.. but she knew that was wrong she knew FIRST HAND, years ago she had done just that. Certainly the circumstances were wildly different, her attack on Brek had been fueled by fury over HOW he had done it while her plan was to well and truely beat Brak, to cave in his skull, chest and any other part of him she could get her axe into.
"There should be no problem with the challenge... It is very rare for a victor to be attacked afterward, and if they do not know I am there as a member of the Wolftooth then they may just believe I seek to join the Hag's cause.... But I will not turn away aid. The family is unlikely to mind Brek's death, he was a fool he cares only for her own glory unlike Father."
"I not interfere with challenge, only watch and take caution. If they show dishonor... We crush them together!"
Anol leans back against his wolf, sharpening his teeth on a bone. Poetically, his wolf is doing the same.
After he relaxes a bit, he stands to be seen to his quarters, and says "Chief! Thank you for your food, it was very good!" Before following Martok to the sleeping quarters.