Those are great news Z'orto, but now try to rest man (smile)
I'll keep on the watch, guys.
"I see several problems with lighting the beacons and following them" - Akkramar pipes in - "It will call the attention of everyone in the vicinity for one, and not all are friendly, as seen by the massacre we somehow escaped from" - he grunts - "If we keep our heads down, and push with the digging some more - at least until you are in conditions to travel, maybe we can manage some time to explore the lower caves without attracting any more external attention?" - the half-orc inquires - "I am ready to help"
I can see up to 10 yards and I still cannot see the other side. It looks like a lot of digging without tools and materials to hold the tunnel - Lukas pipes in - I say we light it up and follow the lights. What's the worst that can happen? We'll draw the attention of every creature, army and treasure-seeker in the region but we only have to get to the entrance before them. We arrive, turn the lights off and close the door behind us! Easy as bargaining with a shairum - He ends with a smile
"I am fine with whatever path we decide to choose" - Akkramar shrugs - "Since the last time we were attacked by the 'army in the region' everything turned out so well, we should have nothing to fear" - he adds, then goes back to his watchpost at the cave entrance - "Let me know if digging is necessary"
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After half a day of work it is clear that it will take a lot of time to clear the tunnel!
It was easy to find tools in the cave, boards, on the other hand, there aren't that many and it's not clear if the cave has enough boards to sustain the collapsed tunnel.
It is now clear that Z'orto is better, his life is no longer in danger.
Master Z'orto, this is taking forever so I'm starting to agree with Lukas.
Are you strong enough to travel?
I say we head out then, but I share Akkramar's concerns.
Is anyone a skilled enough navigator that we could take the next beacon's bearings from here and then reach it while the flame is out?
Then I guess there's nothing to it. We either move out with the beacon lit or we pass on this opportunity, and as for me I'd sooner have my sword arm cut off and shoved up a yeti's bum hahahahahah
I'm not that concern, however we can try one thing. We mark where we are in Akkramar's map, then we light the becon and try to mark the mine's entrance on the map. Then we light off the becon and follow the map marking our advance. That way if we don't get to the mines entrance we come back here.
What you say guys?
There's nothing else for us here, let's just get moving a bored Lukas say as he gets up and starts to move to the exit
Right, good ideia! I'll try it, just to see what happens - he says as he turns back and goes to the blocked tunnel again. The he wields the axe and concentrates
Hmm... I think we may have found another way to find our goal - he says with a new apreciation for the weapon - Apparentely, this axe may be our best guide
Ahahah good thinking my man!
However... not sure how this magic works, but could it lead us to a solid mountainside instead of the mine's entrance?
From outside the cave Akkramar peers across the cave - "It will be nearly impossible for me to navigate the route without the beacons" - he comments - "Less hard with the beacons, but still difficult"
It would appear that the axe functions as its own beacon but I agree with Seamus, it probably won't lead us to an entrance. Maybe it will help us navigate once we're inside the caves - Lukas reasons - Let's not wait anymore, let's light the beacon and go
With that he moves to the beacon and with a last look to everybody to check for objections, he snaps his fingers and the fire starts again
Pulling the cowl of his winter cloak closer, Akkramar nodded to the others, and moved further away from the cave entrance to scout the immediate vicinity - "Going to make sure the way is clear"
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The area around the cave is clear.
As you start moving towards the beacon you notice that the beacon is somewhat covered as it sits in the middle of a valley. Actually there are several spots during the path where you are not able to see the beacon.
With your skill plus the axe pulling and the beacon, it becomes actually easy to keep on track...
After several hours of journeying, you find a well-worn path that deviates from your current direction. You also discover fresh, hours-old tracks in the snow that go thru that path.
Akkramar inspects the tracks (tracking roll) and identifies the markings of orc or hobgoblin-prints and the additional heavy boots of a human.
So we may have some company soon huh...
Maybe Akkramar and Lukas can take point scouting ahead, while Duncan stays close to Z'orto and I guard the rear against an ambush.
You want ME to take point? - Lukas laughs suprised - While I appreciate your confidence on my stalth and perception skills, I think I'll leave that part to our orc friend here - he nods to Akkramar
"Yes, I take point" - Akkramar grunts, then moves off ahead, down the path.
I better go with you Akkramar.
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Akkramar and Duncan move down the secondary path, they notice that the path tightens and it becomes completely isolated from the main path you were following.
Now that you think about it, it would be pretty hard to find this path if you weren't following the beacon.
After a while, you hear several distant screams of anguish and pain.
The rest of the group follows them, 5 minutes or so behind
"I hear a fight" - Akkramar nods at Duncan and dashes ahead.
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As you move along the path you ear ... HHAAAA!!! ... the screaming sounds ever more clearly ... HHAAAAAAA!!! ... you take cover behind some rocks and are able to see that the path opens into a cliffside encampment.
The encampment has a couple of tents, a small fire and you see a human and a couple of hobgoblins with a few scars that are gleefully torturing a couple of humans.
Right now they are threatening to throw them off the cliff so they are mostly with their back towards you.
You cannot understand what the captors are saying but as they lean the prisoner towards the cliff you hear the man shouting the answer: No, no, I've told you there's no one else coming, it was just us!...
Then the hobgoblins laugh, pull the human back, and throw him towards the other human.
The human and the hobgoblins then move aside a little bit and start talking between them.
"Had to be..." - Akkramar grunts at Duncan - "Lets go get the others" - and doubles back to warn his companions.
Akkramar recounts what he has found to the others.
The feeling of the adrenaline starting to rush has always made Duncan feel alive!
Let's go guys! he says with a smile.
On the way I say:
When we get there move way from me. I'll wait for you to get in to position and signal to me. Then I send in a fireball to draw their atention to me while you get to their back.
Are we going for the kill or you want to get one alive?
Whooo there Duncan my friend...
We don't know whose side justice is on, so just charging in to rescue the humans doesn't sound right.
What if the torturers are soldiers and the others are criminals?
This requires diplomacy or even better, magic. Is anyone a mind-reader?
I'm not, unfortunately... not yet anyway.
"Lukas is good with words" - Akkramar prods his companion on.
You mean that there are good hobgoblins!?? - Bluters Duncan with shock in his face
Right when so many men were slaughtered by a small army of orcs and goblinoids?
The tortured may not be of trust. That is true. But I think that the torturers are probably a part of the army that we faced before. My only question is: are you still interested in continue to persue their leader and question them about it. Or you only see platinum and how much you can gain with it?
On the matter of torturers, I usually know what side I'm on. Also, if we talk, you know what's going to happen, they'll theaten the prisoners and force our surrender.
That being said - Lukas grins - Its true that I AM good with words... So, whatever you think it's best
Duncan buddy, I'll chalk off that comment of yours to sunstroke or battle exertion so we don't need to have words about it.
I'll just remind you that Akkramar here is an Orc, and we were just attacked by an Orc army. Maybe you should fireball him as well?
Small pause for effect...
And if we, a group of humans and orcs ever - heaven forbid! - have to torture a bad guy for info, don't raise a hand against anyone who attacks us on sight, because they will be as right as you are now.
The half-orc raises an eyebrow at Seamus's words about attacking him with a fireball, then shrugs - "If we are going to fight, then we should attack first and ask questions later" - Akkramar grunts - "So we have the element of surprise" - he adds.
"Otherwise we try the diplomatic approach, with good honeyed words" - then looks at Lukas again.
I say both, and neither. Please hear me out.
We setup undetected in a position of strength, then reveal ourselves in ambush.
The good words come in.
If we're attacked we respond.
But we do not go in with arms blazing, and we do not negotiate from a position of weakness.
Well, let's not stay here discussing the matter until they've left, ok? - Lukas pats hs cloths in a impossible attempt to clean them and starts moving ahead - Why don't we do both? I'l draw their attention while you stealth types set up an ambush. If the talk goes wrong... - he continues moving making gestures in the air like firing a bow and attacking with swords Tchunk! Arrow in the eye!; Slice! Throat cut!
Akkramar looks for an advantageous elevated position, hides and waits.
Before moving on: Akkramar is a good companion, but he is clearly an exception within his kind. Besides, orcs are more intelligent and powerful then goblins so they have more options to choose on what they want to be. Having said that, I agree with your approach. Let's move on then.
I look for a place where I can be concealed until Lucas goes in for the talk. When he starts I'll make myself visible. I want to be with my shield & axe ready.
Acompanied by Seamus, Lukas enters the camp with a confident walk
Greetings, I am Lukas Ardhim, what the hell is going on here?
As he says this, he lights a fire in his hand and a ghostly figure appears behind him, drawing a huge sword from his back
Seamus moves up with Lukas, but before I set out I tell Duncan:
Duncan, about that fireball... Those tents look quite flammable if you know what I mean... wink wink
When I get a clear view of what's inside I'll signal you if it's ok to torch them just so you know, then it's your call.
Just thinking there may be someone inside we don't want to crisp.
Duncan, did you see the map? the fat guy is the human that is in the middle of the hobgoblins!
In an afterthout I move in with Seamus and Lucas. I moved my warrior icon acordingly in the grid and it will move acording to Lucas position.