Ibrah appears out of seemingly nowhere and strikes the scorpion true with his glaive deeply into its carapace. It winces and staggers a bit before catching itself, ready to respond.
ROUND 2
Silvash from RD 1
Armistad
Silvash
Khartelosch
Tress
Ibrah
Lilly
Silas
Verrin
scorpion
Where are you headed? Calls out one corporal who cannot contain his curiosity any longer.
Towards the caravan, replies Thaane.
Alone?
Yes. Thaane says again with even less enthusiasm.
Would you like a horse?
I don't ride beasts. Thaane makes clear and keeps walking his pace towards the caravan in the noon day sun.
Silvash unleashes an arrow.
Round 2 if it still stands after Armistad attacks, he'll shoot again.
Silvashes second attempt mimics his first as the sails by the agitated vermin.
Armistad attempts to pierce it again.
Weakened, the vermin regains its footing to fight back as it is now encircled.
Khartelosch seems put-out that the damn scorpion still lives. He begins to wonder at the chances of survival this new venture has. In exasperation, he too flanks the creature and swings his hammer once again.
Khartelosch delivers the killing blow to the venomous creature. The fighting up ahead continues as the orc party is now down to five and the are finishing up one of the scorpions. No one looks your way, but they are probably aware of your presence.
I'm going to ride back and get the riflemen. We can clear the area then. Silas says.
"You fellas want to try your luck with the Orcs after they've done for the scorpion, or do we sandwich them between us and it?" Tress asks, her voice oddly dispassionate.
"Let's see if they need to be butchered or merely told to get lost. I have no love for my mother's folk, but they are a necessary evil in these parts. To diminish their numbers unnecessarily would merely invite worse creatures to move in." Khartelosch looks to see if the orcs are wearing any regalia or fetishes that would define their clan and, if so, what the group might know about them.
"But if there's an army of them 'round here, this lot could have the rest of them down on our heads if we let them run," Tress points out.
We are rather more diverse than the common travelers. Perhaps if we aid the orcs they will be more willing to let us pass without incident. Plus I am loath to allow any reasoning being to die to the warped beasts of this land.
But first, I believe we have been stalked by this stranger during our travel. Speak of your reason for following us.
Looking at Ibrah.
Lilly sighs. "I suppose we can at least attempt to talk to them, but at the first sign of any treachery I say we deal with them swiftly."
Ibrah looks at the ground and mumbles something, then shakes his head. He looks up at Verrin. Tracking marauders. Hid from the scorpion. Saw you. He shrugs.
Well then, do we approach them and help them with their vermin problem or head back for reinforcements and clear the area?
I'd hate to lose all of our muscle so early in the trek.
"Let's see if they need to be butchered or merely told to get lost. I have no love for my mother's folk, but they are a necessary evil in these parts. To diminish their numbers unnecessarily would merely invite worse creatures to move in." Khartelosch looks to see if the orcs are wearing any regalia or fetishes that would define their clan and, if so, what the group might know about them.
[dice=Perc]1d20+5
The orcs have no standard or demarcation that distinguishes their tribe. Their armor is tattered and their weapons are ragtag. Their ferocity is unyielding.
Perhaps it would be best to aid from a distance, something both they and I are ill-equipped for, but if they do not choose to be civil, it will give us an advantage.
My bow is always ready for use if needed.
"I do not recognize them but one thing is clear. If the orcs prove difficult to reason with, the scorpion will be impossible. Let us slay it as a gesture of our superior power and hope the orcs get wise. If they do not, they too shall fall to our might."
If the others agree, he clumsily mounts his camel and leads it toward the battle going on ahead.
Ibrah looks at the Orcs in the distance, then looks at the mercenary caravan guards. He shrugs, puts his Glaive away, pulls out his longbow, knocks an arrow, and begins striding towards the orcs.
Agreed but I need one moment.
Silvash pulls out a scroll and casts Mage Armor on himself and then follows with his bow at the ready.
Ibrah will start shooting at the Scorpion when he gets to within 400 feet from it.
Fair enough.
While the caravan awaits news from the scouting party, Thaane keeps a steady pace walking towards its direction. Head low and unconcerned with his surroundings, his boots make a cadence on the stone as he treats each garrison as if they are invisible.
Ibrah is unencumbered and unarmored. He can move 120 feet/round when running. That would put him at 200 feet in 6.5 rounds, or about 39 seconds. Not sure how fast his companions can move on their camels, so they might get to the fight several rounds before he is even within his desired 200 feet range.
I am on foot as well. I lack any means of ranged attack so I just want to stay ready to intercept anything that tries to eat those who do.
Tress returns to her horse and seizes its bridle, ready to leap onto its back or release it as events dictate. Regardless which, she keeps a firm grip on her scimitar...
Lillyanna will just start riding towards the fray at a leisurely pace for now with her bow out. Watching to see what happens between the orcs and the scorpion while she does so.
Once mounted on Malek, Khartelosch has 50' movement. His aim is to ride to about 40 feet behind the scorpion, dismount and flank it with any orcs still standing, assuming they are willing.
Silvash trudges through the sands bow at the ready toward the rear of the scorpion following Khartelosch.
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Well, Khartelosch has a lame leg, so he'd only be a 'drag' without a mount.
Well, Khartelosch has a lame leg, so he'd only be a 'drag' without a mount.
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This is true. But he still wanted to make the joke. :-)
Silas insists on returning to the caravan to make a report since no one is truly in danger. It seems odd, but Armistad quietly follows suit leaving the party to follow the actions of their newest possible companion, agile as he is. He takes off towards the fray stopping every 100 ft. To possibly land an arrow upon the troublesome scorpion.
At around 240 ft. The vanara monk arcs an arrow that finally rings true as it sinks deep into the scorpion, drawing the attention of the orcs who notice the party coming towards them.
One of the orcs bellows something at the party.
The arrow nearly finishes off the scorpion. It lashes out at the distracted orc.
It grabs the orc almost snapping him in two as he struggles to escape the pincher,
"A security force, is what we are, to eliminate or remove threats to our caravan. let us deal with the vermin together and afterwards decide how we'll come to our own terms."
[ooc]we're hiking this weekend. Ill lose reception soon. K helps kill scorpion then tells orcs they need to skedaddle in a dir that doesn't lead to orc army. He lets them save face but if they refuse he casually tells the other caravan guards that negots have failed and the orcs are fair game and tells the ircs they must too be eliminated.
Verrin stands ready to engage the anyone who looks like they deserve to be stabbed in the next few minutes.
The orcs have finished off the last scorpion finishing Iran's shot with a flurry of falchions and axes. The five now turn their attention towards you. Weapons are at the ready as one blows a ram's horn. With guttural grunts and sounds, one of them addresses you.
"Oh, good," Tress says. "He just signalled his mates, didn't he? Now, can someone translate what he said so I know whether to shake his hand or kick his groin?"
Verrin stands ready to engage the anyone who looks like they deserve to be stabbed in the next few minutes.