Continue from the Tavern Brawl thread.
Continues to sit, awaiting the call of someone more important than him.
The giant notices the lull, especially when he turns to look down at Dergosh down by his side, finding it strange for him to not be noisy. So as a gesture, he lifts his huge person-sized hand and attempts to scoop the one-eared Dergosh up to put him on top of his head or shoulder where his helmet could be reached. The giant then quickly rapped his knuckles against his chest-plate, creating a wave of crashing metal that vibrates through his armour, happy jamming with his Orc friend with some modicum of rhythm.
Odak even sets Derdosh by his helmet and reaches up to knock it with his knuckles, inviting the Orc to have a go, it crashes and vibrates as well as the rest of his armour plating!
Dergosh sits as well, uncharacteristically quiet in the presence of his large friend. He whiles away the time thinking about Deadeye's demonic gun and the many levels of noise it might make, and Draxia's teeth and the many levels of biting they might be capable of...until the giant scoops him up.
The priest howls with deep laughter as the giant drums his own armor, joining in to lightly tap with his heirloom mace.
"They plague us because they see us as a threat. Told me as such when I gutted one of their leaders." He closes the thin leather book, stowing it away carefully on his person.
Olrune pushes a strand of hair back out of his face, then traces the tattoo around his eye. "Many of you know I left the clan years ago on a journey to learn more of the world. My will was that of iron; strong but brittle, I would break before I bent. So to temper my ignorance and anger I wandered, seeing the world as it is and not as it's told."
"The first leg of the journey was hard. Being a half-orc clad in furs and barely able to speak the common tongue did not let others take kindly to me. But a pious man helped me learn the ways of civilization, all of their customs and traditions. Their way is more complicated than ours, it is full of subtleties and unspoken agreements and half-truths. It takes a keen mind and an open ear to deal with them."
"The man taught me of many gods as well, and one of them that I learned of was Gorum, the Lord in Iron." He looks at Odak. "No doubt he would smile upon your choice of garb. He is the deity of strength, glory, war, and chaos." Olrune removes the large iron greatsword from his back, showing the black metal imbued in it and it's well crafted edge. "With the help of a master smith I made this blade. The Lord in Iron is present in all iron weapons, giving them strength to clash against flesh and metal and bone."
"One of the most difficult parts of civilized lands is their concept of money. When you're hungry you can't just take food. Well you can, but they have entire organizations of trained and armed men who will capture or kill you if you do. I became fascinated with this concept, and decided to kill two birds with one stone. I joined these lawmen to further my understanding of them as well as earn some coin to pay for my living."
"I never had such a headache as I did trying to memorize all of their laws. A man can strike his children, but not a stranger. If you steal bread you lose your left hand, but meat is your right. I could never remember enough of the rules to go out on my own, but I served well enough as muscle to back up my fellow guardsmen. In there I learned to fight with well crafted weapons and protect myself with an iron shell." He grins, banging on his full plate with a mailed fist.
"It was my time with them that convinced me of how corrupt civilization was. I arrested a man who was trying to force himself on a young maid, but after a day he was released. When I asked my superiors why, they gave me naught but vague excused. I learned soon enough that the man was a noble and simply paid his way free of jail." Olrune grips his greatsword tightly. "That...angered me. I decided to set things right my own way. Apparently killing a rapist is illegal if he has more money than you, so I had to fight my way out of town."
"It was then I went back to the forests, but I returned to a war-zone. The forests were full of the clash of metal and the smell of blood. Others may have shied away at that point, but this was something I understood and had long missed. I found a dying orc and learned of who was waring, then gave him the gift of mercy and set out to bathe the forests in the blood of the enemies of the Wolftooth."
"It didn't take me long to find a group of my brothers trying to hold a tunnel from our enemies. They were badly outnumbered, and tired and wounded from long days of battle. I walked in, a stranger clad in metal to them, but I proved my worth. I stood at the tunnel and bottle-necked it shut, then told my brothers to flee to find food and rest."
"The savages threw themselves against me, but they had been fighting unarmored foes of the Wolftooth. I stood stalwart in my armor with shield raised, and for the first time the Lord in Iron granted me his favor. I felt his power around me, twisting away blows and protecting me from the worst of attacks. They threw their warriors against me from dawn till dusk, but at the end I stood on a pile of their bodies and would not yield."
Olrune takes a sip, clearing his throat. "I didn't feel them at the time, but apparently I had accumulated more wounds than I had at first thought. One of the clan leaders of the Wolftooth found me bleeding amongst the bodies, and hearing the tale from the group I rescued he had a healer brought. I survived that day and have half my scars from that fight." He grins. "I couldn't have imagined a better way to come back to my brothers and sisters."
Lantik begins to beat his armor-clad tail against the ground in keeping with the rhythm Odak and Dergosh set.
Looking at Olrune she would smile and nods and gives him a salute at the story. It was a good one. Just as things were about to die down the noise started up.
Tigerwolf chuckled at the noise that was being created her eyes scanning the crowd as if looking for someone. Eight Lives, taking offense to the din started to yowl only adding to it.
Scratching his ears as he seemed somehow oddly in and out of tune with the beating knowing he wouldn't stop until the drumming did.
Humming lightly a tune coming to her head of a battle chant her mother always sang.
A lone Orc ride up to the meeting hall. He's badly wounded and being carried by one of the clan's Scout Wolves. He's identifiable as a clan Woftooth Scout by the tattoos on his shoulders.
"Humans... at the... Broken Hill..." He is almost falling off the wolf and is clearly dying rapidly from the arrow wounds and bite marks all over his body.
Odak turns his head to see the injured Orc approaching on his steed, he tries to put his passenger Dergosh down before heaving himself to his feet, with slow, heavy footfalls he approaches but keeps his distance, he doesn't know anything about healing wounds. He simply stares down at the Orc, turning to the others for support.
Olrune shoves aside those in his way (skirting around Odak), then picks up the Orc and sets him down gently. He reaches to his neck and clasps his silver holy symbol of Gorum. "Irisv." His hand glows for a moment, then causes the blood to stop flowing as some of the wounds close.
"You did well to bring word of this to us brother. Rest and recover your strength, we shall take care of the humans." He looks up to the others. "Well we all sit around telling war stories and getting fat, let's go show these rot-gut cowards how the Wolftooth clan fights!"
Odak raises his arm to reach for his longsword, pulling the enormous eight foot long, three foot deep blade from it's sheath, holding it steady in a single hand while he picks up and readies his tower shield. He gazes down upon Olrune and speaks loudly,
Lantik loads his gun. It's a silvered, long-barreled musket with a crude battleaxe magically bonded to the end of the barrel.
"We fight for clan Wolftooth!"
She looks around pointing to an orc. "Get the chieftan and shaman NOW!" She ordered even as Olrune started healing him.
Kneeling she looked at him. "Report, numbers equipment." She studied the bite marks wondering what animals they would have as she looked at the wolf. She knew the others would grab it and tend to it.
Runt was ready for a fight but she wouldn't blindly charge.
"I... I don't know, they... they set TRAPS for us, as though we were ANIMALS... I was the only one who wasn't put to sleep..."
Despite his grave injuries, the Orc manages to spit in disgust at the Humans' tactics.
The Chieftain and Shaman rush out from the meeting hall and take the Orc back to the barracks to be tended for.
the Chieftain turns and says, gravely, "Avenge him, Warheroes. I will provide you our fastest wolves. They will take you to a mile from the Broken Hill, but no farther - night falls then."
Olrune laughs. "Hope you have a mammoth for Odak. Are there any other forces here to ride with us?"
Acknowledges and bows his head to the chieftain as he arrives, given instructions and transport to intercept their foes. In the back of Odak's mind, he wonders about the riding wolves, he's seen a couple before and they didn't look very sturdy to him.
, he says, gesturing with his finger and thumb of something 'small' for effect.
She nods to the Chieftan knowing where to find the wolves and would whistle loudly towards a passing Orc.
"Go tell the wolf tenders to get them ready." She barked out so they would be waiting on them.
"Traps? Magic? Ambush the hill or set traps around it?"
Olrune laughs at Runt. "We ride up and kick their teeth out their arses."
Runt grins at him. "That is the plan but it is good to know what they have and have spent so we destroy them properly. I don't like people intruding on our territory and plan on taking them all out."
@before: Karol puffs his pipe and plays a beat around dergosh's, making the simple rhythm more complex and deep.
@now
come warriors, battle calls, the warrior god is watching.
Karol gets up, empties his pipe, packs it away, collects his gear.
He then gets up a starts moving for the wolf den.
Odak wanted to run on ahead to the hill area to make up for his slow speed, although he can't do so without someone to guide him, the giant's eyes and movements suggest frustration, looking back at his allies and out towards the forest.
Looking at Odak. "GO southeast. We will meet you on the way." She points in the direction he needs to head and pats him on the arm. "We will find a way to make you swift as the wind."
She grabs her pack and would pull the item from her pocket handing it to the chieftain. It was something from there scouting mission he might find interesting. She waited for the answers from the scout before heading to the wolf den.
Odak takes the kind directions from Tigerwolf as she catches one of his fingers dangling down, he nods quickly as they part ways. Odak turns around and begins to make his way along the route with pounding footfalls while the others get ready.
Odak is now en route and headed out of the area!
With the 'wakening' of Dergosh, Odak stops briefly to give the Orc a chance to follow or catch up, as he must prefers to travel with friends than all alone!
It took a few moments for Dergosh to figure out why the music had stopped. Looking around, he sees Olrune busy working on the injured scout. Always healing when there is killing to be done. He tilted his good ear in to listen to the reports.
When Odak begins to march away he stirs. “If is only a bunch of puny humans, you all stay here and Odak and I will tear them apart and bring remains back for roasting.” He begins walking after the giant, armor and fetishes rattling, but stops half way and looks back. “Heart Singer, you want to come along and I’ll teach you a proper orcish marching beat?” He slams his drum shield with his mace a few times for emphasis. “Maybe we even leave you a few humans for your lullabies.”
Olrune gets up in Dergosh's face. "Humans are powerful in numbers, and tend to be more organized; don't underestimate them. We're all going." It wasn't a suggestion.
"Let's get mounted up! Ride in arrowhead formation, fighters at the front, casters on the wings. When we catch up to Odak he will be the point that will break our enemies!" Olrune gives a war cry, then leads the others out the door.
The sun sets over the Cold Mountain as the party rides to the Broken Hill along the Savage River. Just before you left, a courier ran towards you and told you to be careful - it seems the Humans have been setting traps and capturing or killing Orcs all along the shrinking borders of clan Wolftooth.
As night falls, you finally catch up to Odak, who is resting in a small clearing within the dense Southern Forest. You dismount your wolves and send them off to the main village.
Odak can be found standing upright against a large shady tree approximately his height, positioned with his ten foot tall tower shield and sword planted firmly into the ground in front, the giant's head leaning on top of it, his eyes closed suggests he may even be asleep, even though his stance mimics something of a giant statue of iron from way down below, the shield and sword merely to keep him stable against the tree.
Before doing anything else, Lantik climbs up a tree near the clearing and sets up his hammock.
"This reminds me of hunting parties with my Nestmates," he says as he looks up at the sky.
Tigerwolf looks around and growls softly nodding to Odak. "I will scout around and try to see if I can spot anything of note. If they are laying traps I will need to follow them. Unless you have any arguments. I see further in the dark than most."
Tigerwolf looks around and growls softly nodding to Odak. "I will scout around and try to see if I can spot anything of note. If they are laying traps I will need to follow them. Unless you have any arguments. I see further in the dark than most."
"If you want distraction call me," Dergosh rumbles to Runt. Having escorted/been carried by Odak, he plops down with a thump. Though he appears to be relaxing after the journey he keenly scans the surrounding area.
"You mean when you were hunting them?" Olrune chuckles, then sets to making up camp. "Let's get to bed early and attack before the sun rises. Use the darkness to our advantage. I'll take first watch."
Tigerwolf looks around and growls softly nodding to Odak. "I will scout around and try to see if I can spot anything of note. If they are laying traps I will need to follow them. Unless you have any arguments. I see further in the dark than most.""If you want distraction call me," Dergosh rumbles to Runt. Having escorted/been carried by Odak, he plops down with a thump. Though he appears to be relaxing after the journey he keenly scans the surrounding area.
[dice=Perception]: 1d20+8==>8+8 = 16 (12 for audible perception)
I think this happens if you put spaces in the formula. I don't know why.
[ooc]sorry guys had los to do today and couldn't post before now[/b]
@before: Garmack enjoys the lilting tones of Karols tune, at ease with his thoughts of the war and of Krugga
@scout's arrival: Garmack becomes rapidly alert and makes a quick move to apply first aid until he see's Olrune cure the scout. He then listens closely to the answers e gives to Runt before checking his gear, cinching his harness and making sure he has sufficient arrows in his magic quiver
@now: Garmack begins setting up his tent, making sure he is placed strategically near a tree. As Olrune says he'll take first watch Very well, wake me for second watch
Odak continues to stand still besides the tree, however to those with keen hearing and close proximity can hear the giant's deep slow breathing, snoozing away without a care in the world. He doesn't even realise Dergosh had left his side!
"I'll guard the camp until third watch. I'm a pretty dependable shot." at this, Lantik scurries up the tree and takes out his musket, which he lovingly calls "Dragonfire".
Karol settles by the fire and cooks a late dinner. Basically water with dried vegetables added and shredded jerky, salt and a few spices. 9enough for all) He lets it bubble for a while as he jots down notes into a journal he removes from his pack. Once the food is ready he calls
foods up. Get a hot meal in you before sleep
Hearing no arguments she would head out cautiously making her way towards the hill scouting out a pathway that had cover and checking for traps stealthy as she can without going to close.
Olrune holds a bowl with the food in one hand, sipping it while he takes out some bear traps and begins scattering them around the camp. His footsteps are punctuated by the sound of steel unclasping, then dropping to the ground. As he passes Odak he looks at him curiously, then bangs on his armor. "You alive in there?"
Draxia had kept her self quite studying them and the actions about here. She remained quite for the most part. She was always keen on observing the situation and gauging the members. She was going to fight beside them, not for glory but for her to increase her own power.
as they hurried out side her voice began to speak out in arcane syllables to power the blood her parents had boiled to the surface. Her eyes and scarred flesh glowed the faint red-gold aura as she began to cast a spell. She let the energy of her endure elements spell take effect. She than caught up to them.
Little happened and than they made camp. She nodded and looked at the camp."Do you wish to have a fire?" She asks to them through her over sized canines as her yellow eyes gleamed in the light of the moon.
No it's OK Karol said, lighting the fire he had with a word and a spark.
"Keep the fire burning low. We're in our territory but there are still enemies about." Olrune drops the last bear trap, then goes around to make sure everybody knows where they are. "If I wake up to one of you screaming cus you lost a foot when you were taking a piss I won't have any sympathy for you."
Karol smiles his toothy grin at that
Olrune, if you keep talking like that, we'll start thinking you're going soft
Lantik hops down out of his hammock, with part of a rabbit in his hand. He walks up to Karol.
"He's right, you know. Sometimes you shouldn't challenge everyone within a mile of you. Especially these Humans."
Garmack hears the crack of a twig, coming from the east. it's quite close. Could it be the humans?
Runt, you find three different Snare Traps set by the Humans. None of them see you - you hope...
She would disable them simply by cutting the loop but leaving everything else intact and would move on. Once she was certain a good path was clear she would return towards the group.