Desmond blinks at the little reptile in surprise but makes no comment. To the bartender he asks, "Wine please, white if you have it." before following Vyranos to the back room.
Heldar nods as he follows the others to the indicated back room. As they arrive he introduces himself to Vyranos - "Well met. I am Heldar"
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In the private room, on a rather large chair, sat a plump, jolly old man, with a graying beard and round, red cheeks.
Vyranos, gesturing towards the man, proclaimed, "May I present to you, Defattu, Mayor of Platinum Vale."
The fat man struggled to get off of the chair, and shook each one of the hero's hands, while chuckling, "We are ever so grateful that you were all able to make it!"
"Of course. So I think we're all curious to know, what is this problem?"
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The happy-go-lucky smile of the mayor dropped to a frown at Roran's question. He sat back down, and so did Vyranos, and he placed onto the table a map of the town and the mountains, grassland, and forest around them.
"We've been having raids recently...not by goblins-there's none of those in this part of Varisia-but by a tribe of orcs that call themselves the "BloodBoil Warriors". They attack in strategy-one group will distract the town's guards, while two or three more groups will raze parts of the town. And even more bizarrely, they're not raiding any of our supplies-no food, no water, not even prisoners. Whatever house they want to burn, they just barricade it and set it ablaze with everything-and anyone unlucky enough to still be inside it-still in the house"
Vyranos picked up where the mayor left off with, "[b]We've had this problem for weeks, and we've had all of the best security from Magnimar and the other big cities and towns in Varisia, and all have never returned from finding the orcs's living area. We're desperate-if you all fail or refuse, this whole town will either be abandoned or, worse, massacred." Vyranos looked down at the table, as if he was reminded of a terrible tragedy that had happened to him.
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Has anyone tracked the orcs after an attack?
Roran remains silent, although he exhales slowly when he hears he needs to confront a band of orcs Well. Suppose I'm a rather good choice for this "So they barricade the house to keep the fire from spreading. No, that's too targeted for orcs. You're right, they normally want supplies or prisoners. There's either a half mad leader or somebody else telling them what to do. Do you know of any leader?"
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Before entering the back room:
"Vyranos? I thought we were meeting Mayor Defattu? It says right here on my official invitation that I was supposed to meet Mayor Defattu in the Flying Frog Inn.
"Have the orks left anything behind after their destructive raids that could be used to find them; because you know Regit here has a great sense of smell and could track them down in no time." At the sound of this praise Regit practically beams with pride.
"Those seem like terror tactics, and nothing more. Would it make sense to assume they are simply attempting to make people leave town..?"
At Rorans' question, and Vyranos answer, Heldar continues - "I have heard stories about orcs who manage to unite the tribes, and enforce a measure of order and obedience. I am sure it is possible, but I have never witnessed it. It may not even be an orc, to be honest. Many have tried to tame those fierce creatures before, for their own purposes. Does Platinum Vale have any declared enemies?"
After pondering for a few moments, he offers - "It would seem we should follow their trail perhaps, and try to succeed where others have failed"
That seems like the best course to me, but let's not wait for another attack to get started. I am assuming that you can direct us to where they left after the last attack?
"I only have one question... in twenty seven parts"
:-)
Actually, Desmond will hold off on his question for the moment but is listening carefully.
"Perhaps we can just wait till their next attack, catch them in the act, and force them to lead us back"
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"I wouldn't try it," the mayor responded solemnly, "Again, all who have tried to follow the orcs haven't returned...but, you could try to wait for their next attack..."
Vyranos sighed and shook his head. "I have a bad feeling about that plan...but I can't think of anything better. Just wait around for-"
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"Ya called us to do a dangerous job that you couldn't get done yourselves. We understand the risks"
Casts mage armor on self and moves to the door.
Rorans gaze darkens, and what once was an enlightening face of a friendly paladin is now the dark shadow of a crusader. He motions to the others, heading outside to the noise as quickly as possible
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Alyara pulls out her scimitar and looks at Regit. "Come Regit it's time to stop drinking your fancy tea, there's danger a foot and people to be saved." Regit responds with a low growl. To which Alyara replies "YES YOU HAVE TO, NOW LET'S GO!" and runs out the door not even checking to see if Regit followed. Regit takes one more big slurp and runs off after his absent minded master.
Marco quickly draws both swords and runs after Roran.
Heldar follows the others outside with a word of warning - "Be careful, we do not yet know what we are up against"
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Outside, you see a truly horrific sight-huge, blood-red orcs wielding greataxes, slaughtering every person in sight. One woman tries to enter what appears to be her house, only to have an axe embedded in her spine. Then there are female orcs-only notable for their slimmer figures-wearing what appears to be battle paint on their faces, and they're chanting a rather unidentifiable war song.
Two of the orc fighters notice you, and, with a deafening roar, focus their sights on you all.
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Do we have a map? I'm going to need to know ranges...
Roran roars, charging the nearest one with a vicious swing. However, it appears he's using the flat of his blade
"Would you mind if I go first Alyara ? I would like to cast a spell and I don't want to catch you in it."
Desmond will move forward until he's 10' from the pair and cast color spray (will negates, DC15)
"Thank you"
Marco charges the neares opponent not being attacked by Rorax and attacks with his Longsword.
Although Alyara managed to confuse the orcs, it was only temporary, as one of the orcs sidesteps the swing of her scimitar.
However, the pair of orcs were not anticipating the spell, and both orcs lose sight of their vision, and they also drop to the ground.
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Without even registering his own actions, Heldar turns inwards, tapping the source to bestow aid on his impromptu allies.
A few soft, discrete words leave his lips, but the effect ripples through everyone around him.
Although Alyara managed to confuse the orcs, it was only temporary, as one of the orcs sidesteps the swing of her scimitar.
[dice=Will save]1d20 + 0 --> (10) + 0 = 10
However, the pair of orcs were not anticipating the spell, and both orcs lose sight of their vision, and they also drop to the ground.
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"Well that went well. Are there more?"
Regit charges the nearest opponent and tries to rip into it with his powerful jaws:
[dice=Bite attack]1d20+2+2+1
[dice=Damage roll]1d6+1
Roran grunts "Find something to tie them up with" and moves to help the nearest person in need or attack the nearest enemy
Heldar rushes towards the villagers, showing no qualms in evidencing his healing powers if necessary, to make sure the most wounded are immediately taken care of.
"I imagine there are more of these orcs attacking the villagers. Perhaps we should be concentrating on them for the moment. There should be time for examining the corpses later"
"I can do nothing fer the dead or injured, but I can stop any more from happening!"