He nods at the half orc and moves down the line. He starts "Protect the gate from those beasts below. Bring the oil! We'll light them up and send them back to shadows they crept out of! Have some archers focus on the gate."
The elf will let loose an arrow at an orc trying to break down the down the gates
Aren nods at Tanariel as she comes up the tower and fires an arrow toward the gate. "There are more in the trees. Waiting it seems. This does not seem to be the main attack. Maybe they are just testing our defenses."
Aren launches another arrow, attempting to finish off the Orc he hit previously.
If only I had a few more offensive evocations learned or able to learn, then it would be a different story, but at the same time, wasting my magic right now would only hinder it in the future. she says in elven.
Thrand spurs onto his horse rallying a defense in front of the gate as those on the towers keep shooting at the orcs attacking. Off in the distance a larger body of orcs blow their horns and approach behind the Red Tusk bannered orcs flying a different flag- that of a skull with an axe cutting through it- the Splintered Skull orc tribe from the Pomarj. Those with knowledge of the Pomarj and of orcs know that is a small but very vicious and warlike orc tribe. The large and muscular leader of this band steps forward and seems to call off the attack. He and the leader of the Red Tusk orc tribe seem to argue for a moment as the orcs at the gate stop their attack and begin to disengage. The argument ends when the Splintered Skull orc cuts the Red Tusk orc down and disembowels him. Any Red Tusk orc that shows anger is then cut down by the Splintered Skull body guards. A wooden spike is driven into the ground and the newly hewed head of the dead Red Tusk orc is affixed to the spike as a warning to the town. With that the orcs disengage back into their defensive lines.
Based on your previous dealings with orcs, or your up bringing, you determine that the scene witnessed most likely was punishment for attacking without orders and the Splintered Skull orc re-establishing who was in charge. This orc warchief must be very persuasive if he stopped the orc horde from attacking all at once which is typical orcish warfare.
The night goes calm again and no deaths are reported amongst the defenders, although a few have injuries.
Anchard calls up to the others from below the town palisade walls as a round of hopeful cheers go up, "What happened? Were they so easily turned away already?."
"No not easily turned back. Have Thrand call a meeting of the leaders now. We need to talk about this." Ollok shouts down as he watches the scene unfold.
Tzardusk, disgusted by the antics of his kin, climbs down from the walls at the sight below and readies to join the warcouncil.
Aren turns to Tanariel and says dryly "They seem to be frightened of you. "
As he joins the group he says "Well that was interesting."
"Assuming we have a few more days to continue developing our defenses, we may want to address the fact that orcs are likely going to attack during night or the twilight hours. Perhaps shifting the watch so the bulk are on duty overnight?
The elf will wait for the war council.
Arendyl sends a last arrow at the gathered orcs but it hits the shield of one of the bodyguards who sneers at the elf. The orcs walk away back to their defense line. Arendyl then joins the others.
Darvis shows up with his elder son and a few old men and women. He introduces them as Rorn the town baker, Felix the town butcher, Marva the town midwife, Sallens the town carpenter, Old Cole the town logger, and Jandra the main town educator. The elders begin to argue amongst themselves as to what to do next.
"We should fortify the gate." Sallens
"We should make a run for it." Marva
"We should surrender and ask for leniency." Jandra
"We should send messenger pigeons for help." Rorn
"Maybe the newcomers can make it through the enemy lines and go get an army to save us." Felix
"We should storm the citadel for safety." Rorn
The arguing continues.
Ollok watches as the humans argue amongst themselves. He is patient taking in their fears and objections. He does not turn to look at the others but instead slams his fist on the table set before them. They had had their time to voice their opinions now it was his.
"Enough of this. Your fears are acknowledged now we must decide upon a real course of action. What you saw out on that field gives me pause. The orcs are far too organized. The orc you saw slay the other orc is warchief of the Splintered Skull clan. That he would slay the other chief and call off the attack worries me. What significance does this town hold to the orcs? This is no simple raid and pillage." he let's that sink in for a moment before continuing,"We have one course of action to survive. Find a way into the citadel. Here is what is known, the citadel is surrounded by an invisible barrier that seems impenetrable, but I have a small hope that there is another way into this citadel. Darvis I need you to take me and the others to the manor of the old Baron's eldest son. I think that is the way we can find access to the citadel. We must hold the walls until this entrance is discovered. Speak."
Thrand is greatly relieved when the orcs call off their attack. Pelor had assured him that he and his warhorse would survive, but he was pretty sure that most of the townsfolk would have died along with many of his fellow adventurers.
He accompanies Darvis and Ollok to the council of elders. At first, he allows everyone to discuss freely while he quietly ponders last night's lessons and listens to all that they have to say.
"The dwarf speaks wisely. If there is a way into the citadel, I want it found. Ollok, please lead the search. Start with the manor house as you proposed. Sallens, while that is happening, I want you to fortify the gate. We will send messenger pigeons asking for help, but tell no one. I want the townsfolk to rely on themselves, not hope for help that may never come."
Aren follows the others to the council. After Ollok and Thrand have had there say he casually speaks up. "Well, we're all awake now, I'd imagine the orcs will not attack again tonight after that display. Why don't we take this opportunity to search the manor house now?"
What allies, if any, does this town have? Would they be willing to come and help reinforce the town? If there are any allies, it might not be a bad idea to send messenger pigeons to them, asking for their aide. she suggests.
Sallens runs off to procure wood to fix the gate. The others wait for orders as well.
"True we should use this time while we have it. Who will be coming with me to look for this passage?"
"I will join you. I do not think the orcs will attack again tonight, so my services on the wall will not be needed." Aren says to Ollok.
"As will I... I'm not very good at combat, so I will go to the manor with you and try to assist in other ways."
Tanariel finds out the messenger pigeons are kept in the Citadel.
"I will join the rest of you on accessing the citadel.The pigeons within, and the barrier around would be of benefit to the people and doubly so as a defensible position when the walls are overrun."
I too will go to the Citadel. This arcane defense is interesting.
Ollok, Arendyl, Tzardusk, Tanariel and anchard begin walking towards the manor as Thrand does...?
Thrand will continue training the militia and directing defensive improvements. He has cauldrons or great pots brought up to the gate towers where oil can be boiled. He has firewood brought up as well and whatever else is needed to maintain the fires that will be used to heat the oil. He also has large rocks brought up that can be dropped on the orcs' heads. He takes back the flasks of oil that he had distributed to the militia so that this oil can be boiled in the cauldrons. He also has gutters run across the gap between the two towers (one sloping slightly down from one tower, one sloping slightly down from the other) so that boiling oil can be poured into the gutters and run out of holes drilled in the gutters at regular intervals to rain down on the heads of anyone trying to chop through the gates.
Thrand asks the butcher if he has animal fat that can be added to their supply of boiling oil. He also asks for an inventory of livestock.
He has the bear traps disabled during gate reinforcement, then reset afterwards. He also tries to hide the traps with straw or hay.
Thrand begins directing defensive preparations as the others go to the manor. The townsfolk begin scouring for the necessary wood materials to enact Thrands plan and decide to start tearing the wood out of buildings starting with the stables. Soon arguments begin after the stable tear does not provide enough wood for the plan and folks begin fighting over whose house to tear down next. Felix butcher goes to get stored animal fat and Jandra tells Thrand the current count of livestock and food. There is enough food to feed people twice a day for 4 days. Thrand also directs the emplacement of the bear traps and knows he has a full days work ahead of him.
The rest make their way to the manor with Old Cole. A tall estate made of timber, red bricks, and silver-flecked granite, oddly out of place both in its elegance and design, rises into the air like an enormous needle. Narrow stained-glass windows depict mountains and dragons, and woodland scenes. Stone-shingled roofs rise one atop another, tapering to a stark peak surmounted by an iron spike ending in a horizontal crescent moon cradling a shining blade. The elf and human intermixing of designs is obvious.
"Mind yous the smell inside...Kerryk and Keryn are both still lying inside awaitings proper burial." the old man says through gapped teeth.
"What is the customary burial practice here?" Anchard asks guarding his olfactories with a wiggle of his nose.
"Burial over by the town plot a mile or so outside of town. Cant get to it right now with all the goings on. Also been waiting for the new lord to assume the preparations which is customary. That hasn't happened yet either." says Old Cole and then spits some tobacco juice on the ground outside.
"Unfortuneately we must disturb their rest. Ollok this location was your idea. Do you have any idea where to start looking?" Aren moves to enter the manor assuming it to be unlocked since bodies are being stored here.
"No. Just heard accounts that said the lordling would spend his time here with some of the other privelaged boys. The odd thing was the lordling son was always seen in the citadel but not a lot of people ever saw him enter through the gates. I'd say we look on the bottom and main floors first."
"Suppose it is as good a place as any. I'll starting with the walls." Anchard says walking to the opposite side from the door and beginning to painstakingly looking for a hidden lip for a door or a mechanism to operate one.
Thrand gives some silver to the family whose house is being recycled and reminds them of what is at stake. "We will rebuild your house better after the siege. Come and serve on the wall if you doubt the urgency of our need. The orcs attacked last night and will attack again every night until this is over. Your lives are more important than a house."
"Hmm might want to see if there is any magic about as well. If the lordling can have a wall of magic surrounding the citadel maybe he had magical means to going from this house to the citadel."
The group enters the building and immediatly smell the 2 corpses on the dining room table wrapped in cloth sheets as if for burial. (the elder son is blue, the elf woodsman is green). The group searches quickly
A- the Den where they entertain guests. some hard liquors are kept behidn the bar. Paitings adorn the walls that depict hunting and outdoor motifs. A few large sets of antlers also hang from the walls.
B-Foyer- where you entered.
C-Large table where the bodies were prepped for burial. Laid next to the two men in seperate piles are a nice ornate darkwood composite longbow with tree patterns etched into it, a finely crafted and sturdy heavy steel shield, a detailed and finely crafted longsword with a stag emblem on the pommel.
D-standard kitchen with some dried meat that can be added to the town supplies.
E-Pantry with some dry goods to add to the towns supplies.
I-Keryn's room that has all manor of woodland decorations. A pouch in the desk detects as magic which contains 12 leaf shaped wafers.
J- Lord Kerryk's room- a rustic and plain room for a nobleman. More woodland motifs. An antler shaped wand hangs in a decorative panel over the bed as if a trophy. It radiates magic.
K- Library with books ranging from nature, animals, hunting, warfare, engineering, weapons, history and nobility of Oerth.
L- Entertainment room- musical instruments and parlor games are in this room.
In the kitchen below the stairs at the NE corner lies a hidden latch that when opened it reveals a staircase going down
The orcs have continued building their wooden walls and are now beginning to stake them into the groud around the town about 300 yards away. Safe under the cover of trees you can hear and start to see the beginnings of a crude seige tower. it is odd that the orcs are working through the day when they are normally inactive due to their eyesight weakness. Thrand also spends time inspiring the locals to work at improving the defenses. At the end of the work day the gate will be repaired and additional walkways emplaced. (go ahead and add the walkways to the map where you want them)
Not having any luck finding a secret door, Aren casts Detect Magic as he walks through the manor. "This is Elven Waybread. It has excellent recuperatiive properties. We should also take these weapons and armor. They would aid us in the defense of the town. I do not wish to upset the spirits of these fallen men but if we fail to protect this place, their proper burial can never happen. "
"This place is going to take a long time to search. I'd think if there was some way to find a secret entrance it would be in one of the two rooms?"
"We should take that wand as well, it detects as magic too"
which still only takes him to 20, sigh