Naïlo mutters, "Enough courage, right? We were not the ones that needed to be goaded into going. Orks have always confused false bravado with courage, such an inferior race."
One of the orcs does a perception check.
TT elbows Nailo gently in the ribs and whispers, "Be nice! Then she breaks cover and joins Krishka, Chestman, and Gothia over by the orcs. With the slightest of curtsies toward the orcs, the young human introduces herself. "Greetings. You may call me Tavern Tale the Bard. What are your names...assuming you prefer not to be called Orc #1, Orc #2, and so on?"
"We are Go'el, Shammash, Nigal, Gorshk, and Nidal. Two of us are twins."
Sea Ranger is well aware of the bad blood between elves and orcs, but the human part of him recognizes the strategy in using the creatures against their common enemy as well. The druid nods wordlessly and follows TT, then introduces himself by name as well.
”Let’s go then! We’ve battle and glory ahead!” Krishka says with a laugh.
Her companions might notice this is different from how she spoke before running into the orcs.
"Are Nigal and Nidal the twins?" TT asks, trying hard to put orc names to orc faces.
Chestman writes the orc names into his book of Grudges and follows along.
"Are Nigal and Nidal the twins?" TT asks, trying hard to put orc names to orc faces.
Go'el nods, "Yes."
Having established a rapport (or at least managed basic civil conversation) with Go'el, TT decides to press things just a bit.
"Have many of your people been taken by the naga--the so-called Reptile God?" she asks the semi-talkative orc. "Have any previously missing orcs returned to your tribe and acted...well, sort of strange?"
In addition to trying to ingratiate herself with Go'el, the young bard tries to get a sense of whether he (or any of his companions) might already be charmed minions of the naga.
Having established a rapport (or at least managed basic civil conversation) with Go'el, TT decides to press things just a bit.
"Have many of your people been taken by the naga--the so-called Reptile God?" she asks the semi-talkative orc. "Have any previously missing orcs returned to your tribe and acted...well, sort of strange?"
In addition to trying to ingratiate herself with Go'el, the young bard tries to get a sense of whether he (or any of his companions) might already be charmed minions of the naga.
[dice=Vesica Diplomacy Check]1d20+8
[dice=Vesica Sense Motive Check (Sense Enchantment)]1d20+6
Go'el answers, "It's bothered our Shamans of Gruumsh, but some of our people have been returning and acting strangely."
Naïlo mutters to himself, "And it never occurred to any of them that something with those acting oddly might be wrong. Jeesh can they be more pathetic as a race.
”These lizards have been using mind magics. Those acting oddly are probably under a spell.” Krishka adds. ”Shamans can break such spells if they are powerful enough.”
Let's just find those lizards and smash them
"Are you ready for a journey into the swamps?" Go'el asks Chestman.
"Let's get moving...we have wasted enough time as it is..."
With a stern look at the elf, the paladin moves forward to set the pace as the group heads off into the swamps.
Sea Ranger is agreeable to continue on with the orcs. He is wary of being mind-controlled by these lizard creatures as the orcs might be, and wonders how such a fate might be avoided.
During the hike, TT falls in with Sea Ranger. As the possibility that the orcs might already be under the naga's control comes up, the roguish bard whispers that she's been looking for any hint that might be the case ever since the orcs arrived on the outskirts of Orlane. "I didn't pick up on anything unusual...but then again, this is my first experience dealing with orcs."
As the party moves deeper into the marshlands, the one-eyed bard keeps her eye out for any ambushes or other nasty surprises.
I am ready. Chestman grumps and follows along.
During the hike, TT falls in with Sea Ranger. As the possibility that the orcs might already be under the naga's control comes up, the roguish bard whispers that she's been looking for any hint that might be the case ever since the orcs arrived on the outskirts of Orlane. "I didn't pick up on anything unusual...but then again, this is my first experience dealing with orcs."
As the party moves deeper into the marshlands, the one-eyed bard keeps her eye out for any ambushes or other nasty surprises.
Vesica Perception Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
You notice (smell) some wood smoke in the swamp. Someone must be burning something.
"Does anyone else smell that? Wood smoke--in the swamp." Turning to Go'el, TT asks, "Are we close to where your people live...or is this something we should investigate?"
Bet ya a copper we find some burned huts.
"Does anyone else smell that? Wood smoke--in the swamp." Turning to Go'el, TT asks, "Are we close to where your people live...or is this something we should investigate?"
"We live in the heart of the swamp, about three days from here," answered Go'el. "Most people burn stuff to get warm."