The first trade of blows between the orcs is rapid and fairly decisive. For a moment, it seems there may be an offer of peace, but that offer is denied. Zorgax seems unlikely to let the insult slide, but in a flash, Rashed is standing beside him, scimitar drawn and poised to strike.
"Stop this," the paladin intones, his voice far harder than it has been until now. "There is no grace or honor in wanton slaughter. You play into our captors' hands, nothing more. And I will not allow such callous bloodshed."
If Zorgax or his pets make any motion of anything but ceasing the fight, Rashed's scimitar arcs out in a lightning-fast slash, lashing the orc without drawing lifeblood.
Thadeus sees the fighting escalate even more with Zorgax’s charge. He smiles as they fight. He does love the carnage of a good charge executed perfectly. He nods as Walay talks to him agreeing and let’s the wizard disappear away without so much as a look in his direction. He watches intently as Zorgax hovers over gorthug waiting for a gruesome coup de grace. When he sees rashed intervene he shouts out “Oh do let them have they’re fun, they would wish to kill each other even if it wasn’t apart this maniacs plans”
Thadeus continues his relaxed posture watching the carnage with now a visible sign of glee.
Zorgax sees a scimitar hovering nearby somewhere, an unexpected intervention. No orc in the Red Claw tribe would ever dare intervene in a personal combat for dominance.
Free action to end rage. Zorgax is fatigued for 2 rounds.
Free action to end bane.
Zorgax knows that Trox will hold fast for now, but has his jaw and raking paws ready for a kill. Trox can hold that position for quite awhile, as Zorgax has used that tactic in impromptu questionings.
He stares the paladin in the eye while he slowly climbs off Trox to come stand, bleeding and panting, but calm, in front of the human. The falcon stops harassing Gorthug, and takes flight towards Zorgax's shoulder.
When Zorgax stands full height before Rashed, he says:
"Have you no honour, human? Gorthug challenged me. When I accepted his challenge, he struck first. When I overcame him, I offered life, but he chooses death. Who are you to intervene in our choices. What right do you think you have?"
In this speach, Zorgax is quite respectful of Gorthug, and seems genuinely angry at Rashed's interference with Gorthug's and his own choices.
Still pinned Gorthug coughed. ”So says the coward, who in a personal duel brought a beast of war to do all the fighting for him. No different than if I had the dwarf here trip you. You fight like a coward and brag like one too.”
As he said this he had his feet on the ground...which caused his wounds to slowly begin healing.
”How about we settle this one on one? After you catch you’re breath, we fight one on one. No weapons, no armor. No magic, no prayers. No cowardly using any help. No spells cast on youreseld now to tip the scales in you’re favor. First one to go unconscious is the looser and recognizes the victor as chieftain. What say you? Or are you afraid to fight on you’re own merit?”
Zorgax continues to stare at Rashed, waiting for an answer. He knows exactly what to say to Gorthug, but he knows how to hold attention to the subject that has his highest priority.
"Honor? Challenge? I see no duel between warriors Herr, I see the petty squabbling of fools. Fierce hounds who find themselves unleashed, and cannot control their tempers against snapping at their fellows." Rashed scowls and turns toward Gorthug. "The both of you. Speaking of honor and cowardice. Is there honor in throwing away your life to prove yourself better, only to die alone in turn when another might have saved you? Is there bravery in playing the fool and rushing headlong into your own doom? Or are both of your heads so full of ego that your ears do not hear?"
The paladin sheathes his sword, although considering the speed of his draw, there's little doubt of his readiness. "The longer we fight one another, the longer we remain captive. The longer our enemies can prepare against us. The fewer of us alive, working together, the smaller our chances of surviving. I for one have no intention to die for the whims of some fiendish sport. I would think honorable warriors would feel the same." He holds a steely gaze with each of the others for several moments. "There may be time for dominance and killing one a other later. For now, we should focus on survival. For that, we must work together. As equals."
Thadeus listens to the speech of rashed, now more calm and what seems as slightly let down by the stopping of combat. As rashed finishes his speech he puts his sword into the ground and claps “This man right here is quite smart I would say, he knows what’s best for survival.” smirking he stands there looking at what he full well knows is a power keg waiting to explode.
Since Rashid speaks of survival and taking the fight to the captors, which Zorgax himself spoke about earlier, he finds himself agreeing with that bit of the speech. At the same time, the human clearly has not a clue as to what free will means, and apparently has decided that he should be the leader of this ragtag group. For now, there is too much going on to challenge yet a third person. Zorgax must bide his time. This group is not as sensible as an orc tribe would be, and thus he must endure. It apparently is his fate to learn this.
He smirks at Rashid, clearly unconvinced, but unwilling to challenge him right now, and says to Gorthug.
"You should know, beaten one, that my beasts and I will always fight as one. They, and the magic that's granted me by the ancestors, are as much a part of me as my body is. Any fight without my magic or my beasts would be a game, and settling scores or responding to challenges or insults are no games. I fight with all I have, and won't hold back because of any gameplay that you, with your mind full of rules, think up.
Now, this human opportunistically takes dominance while we were fighting over it, which is a thing a goblin would do. He doesn't play by your rules either. He takes advantage of a good moment. And his first act as boss is to tell me to spare you.
You're saved from our duel by this human, if you allow yourself to be. If you submit to him, I'll let you go. If you submit to Trox, who is me, I will let you go. If you can't live with the shame and wish for an honourable death, I'll understand, and I'll try to explain to the human why your death would be preferable for you. Or you could tell him yourself, of course."
”You talk much. And I see why you fear to fight without you’re beast.” Gorthug smiled, a trickle of blood running out of the corner of his mouth. ”I submit to the paladin then. While Trox might be a great warrior, it will not lead to survival. The wizard thinks only for himself, and the dwarf just wants to see blood. As there is no one else, he seems to be the only force that will get us out of here alive. Now call you’re beast off. It is, afterall, akin to a limb...”
Gorthug was surprised that he was going to survive this. But all in all he was pleased. He had a reading now on his company, and knew who the only one he could trust was. Almost as importantly, he recognized his mistake in how he had fought Zorgax. If the other orc continued to insult him, then he would not make the same mistake again.
Trox lets go and backs off. To Rashid, Zorgax grins and tips his fingers to his forehead.
"He's yours, boss. Now, come, you have items to divide amongst your horde."
Zorgax indicates towards where Walay and he had stood before.
Rashed barely spares a scathing glance over his shoulder at Thadeus--clearly the paladin is no fan of warmongering. "I am no one's boss, nor do I seek submission. Only peace where it is possible and cool heads. Fools rush in. The wise learn caution." He folds his arms and shakes his head. "As for our findings, I am in no position to say what is whose. I do not know what they are, beyond what little has been shared by our flighty mage friend. I have need of none of them; though I champion righteousness, swords and shields of that nature ill fit my skills. The gear should go to those who would use them best."
He sighs and looks over Gorthug and Zorgax. "I can heal your wounds if you wish. Moving on while injured is a poor idea."
”No, boss. I’m fine. Just give me a few minutes and all of my wounds will heal on their own. And we say you are boss, so boss you are. Out of everyone here you are the only one here who isn’t only looking after himself. So we can trust you to be fair in deciding who gets what. And as you are boss, I’ll rip the arms off of anyone who crosses you.” Gorthug was pleased with his logic.
"Wasn't it a holy warrior like yourself Rashed that said 'Caution is the better part of valor'? That it is '...preferable to rash bravery.'?"
The voice of Walay, once again invisible, comes from the western side of the field. You can almost hear the smile in the tone of the voice "By that measure I have been the most valiant amoungst our rag tag team so far." There is a pause and a chuckle. He is definitely smiling now.
"Now, down to our trinkets. I am still working on identifying some of these potions. Remember, I have determined that some of these items are not what they appear to be. Just because I think I know what it is doesn't mean I am right. Allow me to go through our options."
Using mage hand, Walay procedes to pontificate on the information he knows about the various items, discussing the Holy Avenger, Bastard's Sting, the Luck Blade (which as he talks about floats through the air and then disappears.) "Such a small blade, I am sure mighty warriors like yourselves would be interested in other trappings. I will hold on to this unless there are objections." He quickly discusses both sheilds/ "This shield of the Winged Eye is very powerful. If I could use a shield without it interfering with my magic I would be very interested. Unfortunately, that is not to be."
He again explains how dangerous the simple looking deck of cards would be. That item never leaves his bag of holding while he discusses it.
"Of the potions that you gave me to identify Zorgax, 3 are healing, 1 neutralizes poison, one removes curses, and one allows you to converse with beings that you do not share a language with. Oh...and, this one allows your touch to inflict an enemy with poison." An additional potion bottle floats down to join the other six. "My sticky fingers picked it up absentmindedly as I was identifying the others. Old habits and all of that."
Additional items begin to float down to join the pile of loot. As they do, you see that they each originate from a different point on a circle around the party. Walay is apparently moving as he talks.
"These are the things that I managed to grab quickly from the table. This crown grants a powerful boost of intelligence to its wearer. I have something similar, but this one is stronger. Certainly something that I could make use of..."
He also introduces the benefits of:
"Of all of these items I could best make use of the magic short sword, the headband of intellect, the amulet of natural armor, and the ring of transposition if someone is willing to allow me to pair it to them. Seems like a nice way to get out of a jam. Oh, and the deck of cards of course. That is a non-negotiable. I am not willing to trust anyone with those."
"I also still have 5 potions that I have yet to identify. Once I know what they are I will inform you so we can decide what to do with them as well."
Gorthug smiled as the wizard made himself useful. ”This amulet increases the rate of natural healing? Well then...I think that I am the only one who can make use of this. Though the amulet of...Fortitude? What does it do? And let me see that shield. Is it made of wood? Metal interferes with my gifts.”
"Amulets of Fortitude empower the natural heartiness of the creatures that wear them. It makes them healthier and more resilient against poisons and diseases. If I have guessed correctly, that resilience is also what you draw upon to make devastating attacks against your enemies. Of course, you wearing both it and the Amulet of Wound Closure would cause the magical auras to interfere with eachother. I am afraid you would have to choose one or the other."
"As for this shield, it does indeed appear to be wooden, although magically reinforced to the point that it is stronger than any unenchanted metal."
There is a nervous quaver to Walay's voice when talking about the Amulet of Fortitude. There is something he is not saying. It is odd how he talks about what Amulets of Fortitude do in general rather than saying what this specific Amulet does.
"You know what, I can't do this. I've always been a terrible liar. Why am I even trying? This situation, you know. It's just stressful...and one of you is going to kill me. I thought I needed to take you out first. I miss my friends."
Dismissing the invisibility, he settles down to the ground, arms clutched round his body in a closed off, depressive stance. There are the beginning of tears in the corners of his slate grey eyes. "That's not an amulet of fortitude. It just looks like one. It's actually a necklace of strangulation. If one of you puts that on we wouldn't be able to get it off you until 30 days after you stopped breathing."
To Rashed's denials about being boss, Zorgux responds slightly exasperated.
"Look, Rashed, somebody's gotta be boss. And you've shown yourself to be the most underhanded, opportunistic bastard of us all, so clearly you are to be feared. This makes you an excellent boss. Also. You interfered in a duel for dominance, thereby winning it. The fact that you apparently don't understand what we were doing, doesn't change the fact that you won. So, suck it up and be the boss, boss, unless you want to be challenged, in which case I'd rather heal first. And about that: yes, please heal me. We're going to rest here anyway, so you might as well use your powers.
When Walay speaks about his 'sticky fingers', Zorgax interjects: "told you it wasn't the whole truth!"
When Walay finally comes clean about the necklace of strangulation, he laughs hard and bends down to clap him on the shoulder.
"See? You're like a goblin! Smart, but not to be trusted. Take it easy, though, we can be your friends for now, until we have to kill each other, that is."
Obviously in a better mood now that the world is more the way he's used to it, Zorgax turns to Rashed once again.
"Both the bracers and the amulet that improve armor could be useful for Trox, if they fit him.
I find that bastard sword intriguing, and I'd have to learn how to properly use it. But if no one else can use it, I'll go to work on that.
And of course I like potions as much as anyone.
I'm expecting you to share the loot fairly, boss. "
Zorgax is obviously used to the role of lieutenant/advisor to the chief, and is not overly sycophantic.
Thadeus apathetically looks at the Paladin as he glares at him, unashamed of his comments and for stoking the fires. He follows the group over to the collection of items. He follows a little bit away from the group of three next to him. As he gets there listening to the items be spoken of he chimes in, “if no one objects I’ll take the bastard’s sting, another blade is always useful even if I have no use for its other abilities, and if nobody wants the sunny shield, I will carry it, why waste a good tool. I would also like to see this ring of blinking, it seems very interesting.” . Upon hearing the confession of plotting to kill gorthug Thadeus looks almost like he expected this, as trickery comes from those with sharp minds. “ Well that is something then, though understandable bloodshed seemed but a moment away just a few minutes ago” . He then looks to Gorthug unsure of the new relative peace that has happened.
"Oh, yeah, forgot about the rings. I too, would like the ring of blinking. The ring of transposition, too. Seems a great thing to have. But I'd gladly let it all go for the bastard sword. Always wanted to be an unholy warrior"
Thadeus shrugs, “That seems fair then, I would just like to have a backup blade if need be, I chose the better of the blades I could use. You get the bastards sting I get the ring of blinking sound like a fair deal? My earlier statement still stands with the sun shield, and I put my lot in for the holy sword, for lack of a better option.” he looks to Walay next “ What metal is the small blade I’m curious if it compares to the cold iron of the holy blade.”
"The bastard's sting for the blink ring, fine by me. That still leaves the rest. You like the sun shield, where I like that transposition ring. The boss probably does fine with the holy blade. Then there is that wooden special shield that's for one of the lawful types, either the boss or Gorthug. Gorthug also likes the healing amulet. Walay likes his cards, best, and has probably snatched some wands or other stuff.
That leaves the ring of sustenance, which is useless for the first week, the bracers of armour, and the amulet of armour. Trox can always use armour, if no one else wants it.
And the potions need to be divided.
What do you say, boss, is that a fair way to share things?
And who gets the potions?"
Rashed sighs as the half-orcs reaffirm his position as 'boss,' and listens as suggestions and requests are made regarding the gear. He ignores Walay's snide commentary on bravery and caution, and turns to hear each statement while looking at the speaker. Thankfully, much of it is parsed out without his input, and by the time things come back around to him, he need only nod.
"It seems cool heads prevail once more. I agree that the equipment should be shared where best fitting, whenever possible. And accords have been made where there is contention. I would have the holy sword, if only for an additional blade, and to befit its purpose. In fairness for keeping gifts divided, I would also take the amulet of armor, although the bracers seem fitting for your steed, Zorgax. Those without healing should take the potions of that nature, I will take those that save from poison or curse, as I believe I am among the healers of our group? If any else would have them, I am happy to offer them up."
He sighs and looks around. "Much as I dislike such thinking, keeping the cursed items with us may prove useful. Should the need arise, sending another to the Abyss, or using the cursed magic to strangle them, could make a difference between living and dying in this place. Is that everything?"
Gorthug
Shield of the Winged Eye
Amulet of Wound Closure
Rashed
Holy Avenger
Amulet of Natural Armor
Potions of negating poison and curse
Thadeus
Sun Shield
Ring of Blinking
Walay
Deck of Many Things (for safekeeping)
Luck Blade
Zorgax
Bastard's Sting
Ring of Transposition
Bracers of Armor (for Trox)
Unclaimed
Potions of healing (3)
Ring of sustenance
Cursed
Amulet of the Planes (Abyss only)
Necklace of Strangulation
Zorgax seems pleased that the new boss seems to divide the items the same way that he would, himself, except for the amulet of natural armor, that the boss is taking himself. But taking more for yourself is a boss's right, so he's fine with that, too.
"That sounds great to me, boss. I could hang the amulet of the planes that goes to the abyss on Raz, if you're ok with that?" Zorgax indicates his falcon.
"also, boss, are you still going to heal me? Or should I use my wand for that?"
Rashed calmly sheathes his falchion, starts with taking the bastard sword, the bracers, the ring, and reaches for the amulet of the planes last.
Thadeus goes and grabs the ring of blinking and the sun shield hefting the shield on to his back and putting the ring onto his hand.
"The Amulet of the Abyss requires the user to bring a powerful intelligence to bear to activate it. It unfortunately cannot be used to intentionally send an enemy there, as the user must transport with it. In the unlikely event that we need to use it to escape something worse than the Abyss, perhaps it should stay with me. I wager I am the one most likely to be able to activate it in an emergency."
Walay scoops up the unclaimed crown as well as a potion of healing and the Luckblade. He waits to grasp the amulet of the planes until Zorgax concedes to his logic.
Zorgax stares at Walay, and says slowly: "are you calling me stupid?"
And then waits a short while to see Walay's reaction.
Regardless of what the reaction is, Zorgax will slowly start grinning about it, as this is his idea of a joke.
"by all means send yourself to the abyss, Walay. I'll take an extra potion instead"
And starts reaching for a healing potion.
"I am saying I think I am smarter than you are; I am normally the smartest person in the room."
Walay makes eye contact with Zorgax. He is uncertain about many things, but he has confidence in his knowledge; a confidence that cannot be cowed.
He picks up the Amulet of the Planes and stows it in his bag for when/if the need for it arises in the future.
Rashed pauses from his collection of items and clicks his tongue. "My apologies, I forgot in the business at hand. Stand still just a moment, please." The paladin places his hands on Zorgax's shoulders and closes his eyes, murmuring a prayer to Sarenrae. A moment later his hands glow with golden energy and the half-orc's wounds begin to knit shut.
Rashed steps back after nearly half a minute, frowning as he looks at his palms. "Perhaps I call on her grace too often in a short time. I only hope the Dawnflower continues to aid us here."
Zorgax responds with a toothy half-smile and then a laugh to Rashed's comment:
"Or maybe she just doesn't like me so much, hahaha!
But thanks, boss, those wounds were starting to itch a little. I can finish the last bit up, myself."
A small prayer in orcish:
Zorgax starts organising his stuff and looks for a good spot to spend the night, or whatever time is now.
"So, shall we take a rest, now, and enter that dungeon as soon as we're finished?
Thadeus nods after hearing about camp, “Sounds like a plan, should we set watch” he then looks to the group not sure if it is entirely a good idea.
"I'll watch, all right, and so will Trox and Raz, regardless of who else keeps watch. I've learned how the leader of a raiding party can't afford to be sleeping.
So... Who'll watch the stars with me?"
”Well, with such a group already watching over us I am certain my services will not be needed on the watch rotation, so I will just see to my own accommodations. See you in the morning!”
Without another word, Walay waves his wand over his head three times while pulling a small crystal bead from his pouch and throwing it into the ground. An opaque black hemisphere appears around him, blocking all visual view of the squirrelly human.
From inside the hut he drinks down one of his own healing potions, the ones that he already owned, before bedding down for the night.
Rashed frowns as Walay disappears into his own quarters, and turns to Zorgax. "I will take my share of the watch. I know Gorthug offered his own share already. Regrettably, I will need a full night's rest, but I will remain awake for what I can--ideally for the evening, or early morning just before sunrise."
Thadeus sees Walay disappear into his quarters and looks around. I’ll find a place to bed down myself, I wake early so I can watch. he walks over looking for a large stone to sleep on. He lays out his gear onto the massive sun shield and begins to relax eating dinner and prepping for sleep. He goes to bed pretty soon once things get dark and if everything seems ok. He sleeps without his armor on, though he wakes up an hour and a half before sunrise. He wakes up and immediately puts his armor on them preps himself muttering a prayer to gorum to continue to fight and survive.
Zorgax casts keep watch, targeting himself and his two beasts. If nothing external happens, Zorgax will not enact any nefarious plans during the night. He'll spend the night mostly mounted, falchion at the ready. But occasionally he'll look over some of his items, inspect the night sky, or scribble some notes in a journal. He mostly takes notes of his companion's behaviours, and writes down some of his experiences since capture, including his dream-meeting with the ancestors of his tribe, and the resurrection of Trox.
Night time overcomes the land as the dull red sun sets just over the horizon, casting the sky into a deep, blood red color. The wind, blowing gently over the large expanse of grassland seems to respond to the setting sun, and begins to pick up speed. At first, it is merely annoying, snapping cloaks and blankets around. But soon, it turns from blustery to howling. The open exposure of the landscape provides no natural windbreak and instead makes those resting upon its face open to weathers relentless attack.
The wind howls for an hour, driving small dirt particles into the nose, mouth, and eyes, effectively obscuring the senses. It tickles deep into your ears, tiny pin-pricks within the ear canal. No matter where you turn, how you attempt to shield your body, the wind is there.
Then, without warning, the skies above become like a lake draining out, dumping large amounts of water in heavy, fat rain drops upon your exposed bodies. It soaks through your cloaks, your blankets become soggy, your hair hangs limp upon your face as water runs down it.
suddenly a massive bolt of lightning connects the heavens above to the ground below, and the area around the impact explodes in a massive shockwave of sound. Thadeus, clad in his heavy metal armor, siting upon the wet ground, acts as a natural lightning rod, attracting the vengeful bolt to connect through him. His body is hurled 30 feet away from his resting spot, and the top of his head smokes from the visible damage the bolt has done.
Gorthug watched as the dwarf went flying, and immediately thanked Gorum that he had no metal on him. Rather than checking to see if the dwarf was alright (or going to loot the body) he instead looked to see what cover there was to take against the storm.
Walay smiles as the rain bounces off of the roof of his hut and slides down the sides. Inside the hut it remains dry and calm.
Thadeus gets up shaking the soot off of his smoldering beard, he runs over to the closest tree and begins to take off his armor as fast as he can screaming at the heavens. “This is my just reward! Worship and service and I receive a bolt from the heavens! Oh what great and just Gods we have!” He channels his anger and what divine power resides in him, to heal himself. As he does this his eyes begin to glow slightly, with divine might.
Once he has his armor off he leaves his sword next to the tree and sprints over and grabs his things and brings them back to his new spot next to the tree. Where he tries to find a less wet spot and sleep.
Zorgax knows the magic he's using, so he knows better than to take any more than vigorous activity. He also knows quite a lot about nature and the outdoors, so when the wind becomes annoying (in the first hour) he'll look around for shelter (was there an entrance to the dungeon, somewhere? A door like that, or a cave entrance would provide shelter from the wind). He'll then start moving there, but at half speed, so as not to break his spell.
So please tell me where I am by the time the rain starts falling and the dwarf gets blasted.
For finding shelter:
Since Zorgax isn't planning to enter, the closest will do. Before he goes there, he makes a round giving everyone a not too hard, not too soft kick, to tell them he's moving, and they can join. Perhaps he didn't kick the dwarf hard enough?
He ignores Walay, as he seems to be well set up.
As he approaches the nearest entrance, alone or together, he is weary of any traps or obvious dangers like webbing or some such.
He does everything slow and lazily, so as not to break his spell
Gorthug grabbed the paladin by the arm. ”Come on, boss. Zorgax found some shelter.” He then followed behind, hoping to get out of the pouring rain.
As Thadeus is kicked he looks up with angry eyes and a sleepy voice. He looks at the half orc and rolls over. He’s tired and doesn’t bother trying to get out of the rain, he’s soaked and it’s gonna take a while to dry, he’s also been soaked through and through before.
Rashed had bedded down for the time being when the windstorm crops up, and he wraps his keffiyeh about his face, shielding him from as much of the dust and dirt as possible. Between the weather, the soft kick, and Gorthug's softer grab, he's quick to rise and start moving after the others, glad for the prospect of shelter.
If/when the lightning strikes Thadeus, Rashed cries out for the dwarf to hurry to him. "I have some healing yet, friend! Best we escape this storm ere it strikes again!"