The Forgotten God (Table 3) (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Harath pauses at the corner and listens to the voices, trying to make out what they are saying and who might be saying it.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

As it turns out, keeping the Orcish language memorized was a good move - the speech is intelligible to you. The leader seemed to be female, leading a small group of other orcs within the room.

<"There's definitely an entrance to the town somewhere in these caves. I don't understand why Mother is so obsessed with Vegazi, but unless you want her to give you to the devils, keep your heads down and do your jobs. As long as you do what you're told, you mean nothing to her, so she won't hurt you."> there was a distinct note of genuine concern in the leader's voice.

Harath will manifest Create Sound expending focus to manifest for free

A voice called out, seemingly among the assembled orcs. The voice was strange, bestial almost. Primitive, and powerful, like that of a gargantuan dragon or demon above them in the chamber.

as loud as 16 humans, which would be like the size of a 20x20ft creature. going to have it repeat only once, then dismiss it.

"There is an option you haven't considered, little orcs. Flee this conflict. Keep your lives. I will use your 'Mother's' heart to garnish my plate."

Most of the orcs let out cries of alarm, though the one who'd spoken seemed to have been made of tougher stuff.

<"We've been through these caves, nothing that big is here!"> she said sharply. <"Just stay on your guard and form ranks!">

does my amulet of mighty strikes apply to attacks i make in beast form (claws of the beast/ bite of the wolf)?

I'm pretty sure both Claws and Bite are considered Natural Weapons. The Amulet of Mighty Fists (via your Legendary Item) specifically DOES enhance Natural Weapons, so survey says "yes". ^^

Harath will transform into his beast form, and remain silent and in place. for the round, then will regain his focus.

There were some shuffling noises from where the orcs were, but it wasn't clear what, if anything, they were doing. You'd have to either go into their chamber or wait for them to come to you. The more time they had, though, the more prepared they were likely to be.

Harath drew forth powers of invisibility from the Nightmare Stone, then moved nearer the group.

how are they positioned? I'd like to get to the leader without being octuple-flanked

Three normal orcs, a wolf, and the leader, arranged like so. You can also see that the leader is carrying a small, unnatural creature on her shoulder.

Harath will use Force Screen and charge his fists with psionic energy.

From within the other chamber, you could hear low chanting - spellcasting, apparently, but whoever was doing it was hidden behind the mass of bodies within the room, and it wasn't clear what they were casting.

Harath, still invisible, swipes the air in front of him, disks of razor-sharp energy fly forth, aimed at the creature on the leader's shoulder.

ranged touch: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 2 = 16
dmg: 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 + (2) = 7

atk as standard, move to charge fists again

The creature let out a screech as your attacks struck it - then it shot straight towards you, jaws and claws reaching out as it pounced.

Bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 for Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 for Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Two of the orcs shot in behind the creature, leveling their spears and stabbing out as best they could in an attempt to skewer you from a decent distance.

Spear: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Spear: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 for Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

<"Be careful!"> the leader called out. <"Don't get cocky just because numbers are on our side!">

Harath loses focus for an instant, meeting the gaze of his attackers in an attempt to dissuade their course of action.

expend focus, Untouchable Aura as an immediate action. 4pp spent, 7rnd duration, DC17 will negates and those within 10ft take -4s due to my fear aura

Will (Small Thing): 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (8) - 3 = 5
Will (Orc 1): 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (15) - 5 = 10
Will (Orc 2): 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (17) - 5 = 12

As your aura manifested, none of the attackers were able to close in on you.

And I believe it's your turn. ^^

are they in the same positions?

They moved forward as described to attack you. XD There aren't any spears in the game long enough to reach THAT far.

Harath focuses on the little creature, seeking to bring it down in hopes of severing a connection between the creature and the leader, if such existed.

full attack, claw claw bite

claw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
dmg: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (5) = 11

claw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
dmg: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (4) = 14

bite: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 5 = 18
dmg: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (4) = 13

psychic strike on first hit to land: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9
also Terror: Incite Fear on the first hit to land, if it doesn't die. DC 15 Will save or shaken for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds. -4 on that save since it is in my aura. [Mind Affecting; Fear]

The first blow you made was a clean miss - the other two were accurate blows, though, and the creature vanishes with your second strike. For a moment, you could see shock on the caller's face - then she spoke out in Orc.

<"Men! Hold!"> she said firmly, and they cautiously backed away from you. She dropped her weapon a moment later, then raised both hands above her head. <"Fighting isn't going to benefit us. If you can take Shelzeba that easily, my men have no chance - I'm willing to surrender.">

"I will accept, with conditions. This settlement is under my guardianship. All who approach will be slain, their entrails left to bake in the sun as warning. If your leader is unwilling to leave this settlement alone, it is in the best interests of you and your men to find somewhere else to be until I am done slaying your leader. Then, perhaps, you may pick up the pieces of her warband, should any fall from my maw. Put aside any thoughts of Vegazi, should the assault on this settlement continue, she won't be sacriced for fleeting safety."

intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

"Should you use your reprieve from my presence to return to your leader and I later see you in battle, know that my sucking the marrow from your bones is the kindest fate you could hope for."

<"...If it's protection you're after, look to the northeast. Men - we're leaving."> she didn't pick up her weapon, and kept her hands where you could see them as she slowly stepped back. After a few moments - not looking entirely happy - the other orcs drew back as well, faster and faster until they were all out of sight. Their exit went through the tunnel in the eastern wall of the chamber you'd found them in (now empty), towards what was apparently both entrance and exit for these caves.

You've unlocked the full map, and can explore it at your leisure or head out through the exit.

was that response of hers telepathic?

Verbal, speaking Orc.

Harath will explore clockwise. Do they go out the light area SE of the F4 cave-in? Harath will look out that door if so, but not go outside yet.

That IS the obvious exit, yeah. XD And how they left.

A quick peek revealed that the exit eventually lead to some sort of old mine entrance, abandoned quite a long time ago - distance had been the main protection for the caves. There were, however, a few items seemingly abandoned long ago, the most relevant being a potion of remove fear - something rather in opposition to your identity.

Harath smashes the potion and moves back into the immediate caves, exploring chambers in a clockwise fashion.

That was the exploration - there's nothing else of interest or value left here. ^^ It's really more of a pit stop than a dungeon.

ah

Harath moves into the mine shaft, listening ahead for signs of it being in use before proceeding. Figuring that the Orcs generally had an idea of the way out, he followed signs of their passage.

It wasn't too long before the tunnel opened up. Just to the side of the entrance was a large boulder, with markings on the ground making it clear that the stone had been recently rolled aside to permit access. Turning around once you stepped out, you could see that the mine's entrance was on the side of a hill outside of town - a handy escape route most attackers probably wouldn't know about.

If you'd like to search for tracks, you can make a Survival check. Otherwise, you could simply follow the advice you were given earlier or, as always, come up with a different plan. ^^

Harath looks for tracks, if indeed the scouting party he searches for headed out this way.

survival: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Unfortunately, aside from one particularly deep footprint in the dirt in front of the cave, you're unable to locate any tracks showing where the orcs might have come from (or gone).

If the guy gave me some clues as to their intended whereabouts, I will head in that direction. I assume that is towards enemy territory.

The best information you had to go on was the half-orc's words, looking to the northeast. About an hour away, you finally see the signs of a camp. On the left, you can see a slope heading up to a steep ledge. To the right, about 80 feet away and past a large rock, there's a campfire with a number of bedrolls... and six orcs. The entire cavern is fairly large, and looks like it goes further back.

still in the mine? same orcs as before?

Not in the mine. ...I thought I was pretty clear that you'd left the mine and went somewhere else. Still a cavernous area, but not the same mine. While it's hard to tell the orcs apart - you didn't get a very good look - none of them seem familiar.

oh, ok. you were clear i'd left the mine, i just assumed wrongly that leaving the mine entailed exiting topside, i didn't expect to be still underground, so i was confused. i am thinking of using the silver raven to send a message to the guy that sent me on this quest, to let him know the orcs know this way. would Harath know of any reason not to, such as the orcs might intercept it or the gate is closed behind me or something? would it be feasible to deliver such a message myself?

No, you went topside. XD You totally went topside. Think of this as more of a really big overhang.

There is no reason you know of to not use your figurine in this situation. As a magical item, it's fairly reliable, and could easily reach the town.

Harath prepares a small message and sends it aloft with his Silver Raven Figurine, destined to reach Terrin.

Orcs know of your tunnel. Chased them out but they may return. Return this bird to me. I haven't found your friends' tracks yet. -H

Would you like to wait for the response, or go ahead and investigate the cavern?

as much as i dont really want to wait, i cant find the tracks on my own so anywhere i go would be blind luck if i found the scouts. hoping he may have additional info.

Right-o! ...You still need to decide which side to approach from. XD

ok so if they are in the center, i will possibly try to slink around them. first i will get close and listen in, havent decided if i want to attack yet or not.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

G1-ish, yeah. XD

Stealth - perhaps not surprisingly - isn't very difficult for you at the moment, and you're able to get within 20 feet of their position without them noticing a thing. Musty bedrolls riddle the ground around a stone campfire ring between the dead alder trees, stumps, and boulders of this small encampment. A pile of chopped wood leans against the northern side of the largest boulder. The orcs are engaged in a dice-based gambling game, over what looks like some humans' equipment and a few gems, and their conversation is wholly about the game.

all 6 are awake and alert? or are some sleeping?

All of them are awake right now. It is, after all, daytime. XD

sorry for the 20 questions, gotta be careful with 6vs1 odds. do they have all their weapons on them, or just small stuff and their full weapons are elsewhere? And I take it i am behind a boulder?

Figure you're by the tree, just southwest of G1. They do have their weapons on them, though none have them out. And questions are never a problem - as you say, you're outnumbered, and this IS a solo game. Caution genuinely helps. XD

alright, a plan is brewing. what do i know of the enemy in general? That their leader is referred to as "The Mother", they're after Vegazi, and presumably something about the place they are coming from (name or location)?

Given your location, it's almost definite that they're crossing in from Belkzen. They mostly seem to be moving in small groups - but there's been far too many orcs for just a single small band. More probably, they're all part of the same tribe, with the more trusted members having been called out for this.