So, Varinth strides towards to orc camp, with Dekhan following a short distance afterwards, and Zoria not far behind Dekhan. Scupper, Incantis and Strix stay hidden, some ways back, after Strix casts Pass Without Trace.
Varinth, you see a cave mouth ahead of you, with some ramshackle wooden palisades here and there. A large boulder stands in front of the cave mouth, and leaning against in, staring at you open-mouthed, is a large orc. You don't see any other orcs around, and you recall that your prisoner spoke of a single sentry. He looks at you, waits until you have planted your flag in the ground, and you see his eyes move between you, Dekhan and Zoria. Finally, you come to a finish. Make a Performance check.
The orc's eyes narrow, and he seems to take his time to think. After a while, he turns back to the cave mouth and shouts surprisingly loudly: Hey Chief! Couple of humans here. One wants to fight you. You hear movement from inside the cave.
Dekhan does his best to look like a dashing knight. Brugghor! Come and face me! Come now and meet your doom! This is your last chance at a death with honor!
Know that if you refuse my offer, we will wipe your line from the earth. The broodmares who were unfortunate enough to have your seed find purchase will have the babes snatched from their leathery teats and watch as their brains are dashed upon the stones. None shall remember the Axe-Biter except perhaps as the fool who challenged the Ancient’s Flame.
If you force me to pry you from your hole I will so strip you of your merit that Grumsh will turn you and all those who cower alongside you from his realm.
Face me now or I will send you to the next life blind, deaf, and dumb, a gelded wretch doomed to wander the everlasting wastes, with only shades of the other dishonored dead of your clan to witness your spluttering, bootless, mewlings.
Dekhan draws his sword and thrusts it into the air casting light on the blade as he does.
I don't know "Lightside". Without that intimidation roll he might not have felt the need to fight you one on one. This is your game face. You're challenging a chief...on his turf...in front of his men. You have to be badass! Light of the land. Calm seas in the storm. Candle in the wi- well you know
Dekhan, your words ring in the air. The orc sentry’s eyes widen. He stares at you. For a long while there is silence, and only the sound of the wind whistling past the rocky crag.
Then you hear thump.. thump… thump… A shape emerges from the mouth of the cave. At first, you think this might be the ogre Kottok spoke of, but no. The largest orc you have ever seen steps forward into the evening light; over seven feet tall, muscular, wearing hide armour decorated with – you think – skulls of human, elves and dwarves, possibly halfings or children. His face and arms are covered with scars, and on his back he carries a massive greataxe. Brughor Axe-Biter is a seasoned warrior, the most dangerous foe you have ever faced.
As Brughor steps forward, still thirty paces from you, other orcs file out behind him. One or two younger ones seem ready to speak or taunt you, but the others silence them. They fan out into a semi-circle around Brughor, facing you. A large shape blocks the cave mouth after the orcs have passed through; the ogre, ten feet tall, scowls at you and looks on.
Brughor takes another few steps forward, closer to you, eyes boring into you. He speaks.
Good challenge. Wordy, in the human way. Not the right forms. He spits. But good. Strong. Pleasing to Gruumsh. Sir… Ulrich. I accept. His face is split by a wide grin. To the death.
The orcs around you begin to beat their chests in a strong, steady rhythm, chanting as they do so: Kul. Kul. Kul. You recognise the orcish word: Death. Death. Death. Brughor grabs his greataxe and wields it in two massive hands. He steps forward.
Brughor slowly closes the gap between you, circling round as he does so. Human? No, something different. Not elf. He sniffs. Need to smell the blood. In a sudden movement, his greataxe comes swinging in a long circle straight for your torso:
Attack: 14 Damage: 15
This blow, had it landed, might have ended the fight in all but name; you feel the power of it as the axe clashes against your shield, but your shield and your arm hold true.
Dekhan brings up his shield to block the greataxe, he deflects the blow and roars a primordial challenge at Brughor, as he does his eyes blue like never before and huge translucent, glowing wings sprout from his back, they move powerfully, buffeting Brughor and bearing Dekhan aloft. He hovers a foot or so above the ground making his eyes level with the towering Orc and smiles.
Still hiding in the shadows, Incantis whispers into Dekhan's mind. "Puny orc with horrid breath, fights his way to certain death. Onward now my holy mate, lead this greenskin to his fate..."
He gives Dekhan 1 Bardic Inspiration.
This can happen at any point so I'm happy to roll initiative.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Varinth gives the circling fighters a wide birth and sidles up beside the orc on the end of the semi circle.
Nice weather for it. Vaz says sarcastically to the orc, indicating the drizzle, a dumb smile on his face. He offers the orc his wineskin and indicates that he's happy if he passes it along (he'll take a swig first if the orc looks suspicious).
Just out o' curiosity like, have you lot got a any dwarfs bundled up in there? he indicates the cave entrance with a nod of his head.
Not meanin' ta pry or nufin' Vaz then reacts to the near deathblow SHITE! NICE DODGE SIR!*golf clap* he continues ..but me ova job is deliverin' messages and fecked if I can find this feckin' Rockyfella bloke. Oh here e' goes wif wings n all, Mister Holier Than Thou!
"By the hells lad." Scupper whispers to himself as the axe hits shield and he almost loosed an arrow at Brughor. "I nearly thought ye'd died."
Then the wings sprout, the eyes glow, and Dekhan rises. Scupper stifles a shout of surprise. "What the bleeding hells have ye become, Lightside? Well go get him fecker."
He goes back to his silent watch and keeps the arrow aimed at Brughor... occasionally casting a glance at the mountainous ogre shape and keeping sharp for any other movement nearby.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Dekhan, Brughor sneers at you. You're big for a ****in' pixie. Fey, then? Shoulda guessed from the centaur. He nods to Zoria. Yeah, I've seen her type. She'll fetch a good price at the slave markets in Luskan. But you, you're no good for our pot. Good thing Gog'll eat anything. He comes in again, for another swing with his greataxe:
Attack: 18 Damage: 6
The swing goes wide; he hasn't accounted for your increased mobility as you fly. He growls, and raises his axe defensively.
Varinth, the orcs ignore you completely, focused entirely on their rhythmic chant. Kul. Kul. Kul. You get no sense of what they are thinking, beyond their interest in the deathmatch playing out before them.
If anyone else wants to act or intervene, let me know and I'll decide if I need you to go into initiative order. Anything that the orcs might detect will probably involve a Deception or Sleight of Hand check. Luckily, your bard is telepathic...
Zoria blushes, then turns away, making no attempts at sneaking any peeks.
Published Subclasses
Sticking the flag in the ground, Varinth will then pull out his Scroll of Fireball from his cummerbund and pretend to read off it;
Sir Ulrich comes here to do honored battle with the mighty Orc Chief known as Brughor
Or, should he wish it, his Orge lackey in his stead.
COME FORTH!!
So, Varinth strides towards to orc camp, with Dekhan following a short distance afterwards, and Zoria not far behind Dekhan. Scupper, Incantis and Strix stay hidden, some ways back, after Strix casts Pass Without Trace.
Varinth, you see a cave mouth ahead of you, with some ramshackle wooden palisades here and there. A large boulder stands in front of the cave mouth, and leaning against in, staring at you open-mouthed, is a large orc. You don't see any other orcs around, and you recall that your prisoner spoke of a single sentry. He looks at you, waits until you have planted your flag in the ground, and you see his eyes move between you, Dekhan and Zoria. Finally, you come to a finish. Make a Performance check.
Performance : 11
The orc's eyes narrow, and he seems to take his time to think. After a while, he turns back to the cave mouth and shouts surprisingly loudly: Hey Chief! Couple of humans here. One wants to fight you. You hear movement from inside the cave.
Scupper is hidden near Strix but not next to...say 15 - 20 feet. Bow and arrow at ready.
Dekhan does his best to look like a dashing knight. Brugghor! Come and face me! Come now and meet your doom! This is your last chance at a death with honor!
Know that if you refuse my offer, we will wipe your line from the earth. The broodmares who were unfortunate enough to have your seed find purchase will have the babes snatched from their leathery teats and watch as their brains are dashed upon the stones. None shall remember the Axe-Biter except perhaps as the fool who challenged the Ancient’s Flame.
If you force me to pry you from your hole I will so strip you of your merit that Grumsh will turn you and all those who cower alongside you from his realm.
Face me now or I will send you to the next life blind, deaf, and dumb, a gelded wretch doomed to wander the everlasting wastes, with only shades of the other dishonored dead of your clan to witness your spluttering, bootless, mewlings.
Dekhan draws his sword and thrusts it into the air casting light on the blade as he does.
Face. Me. Now!
Dekhan, make an Intimidation check. With advantage.
Hearing Dekhans rather visceral taunt, Varinth slides two large steps to the left.
Intimidation 19
That's great, Dek, but let's save some high rolls for the fight...
I don't know "Lightside". Without that intimidation roll he might not have felt the need to fight you one on one. This is your game face. You're challenging a chief...on his turf...in front of his men. You have to be badass! Light of the land. Calm seas in the storm. Candle in the wi- well you know
Dekhan, your words ring in the air. The orc sentry’s eyes widen. He stares at you. For a long while there is silence, and only the sound of the wind whistling past the rocky crag.
Then you hear thump.. thump… thump… A shape emerges from the mouth of the cave. At first, you think this might be the ogre Kottok spoke of, but no. The largest orc you have ever seen steps forward into the evening light; over seven feet tall, muscular, wearing hide armour decorated with – you think – skulls of human, elves and dwarves, possibly halfings or children. His face and arms are covered with scars, and on his back he carries a massive greataxe. Brughor Axe-Biter is a seasoned warrior, the most dangerous foe you have ever faced.
As Brughor steps forward, still thirty paces from you, other orcs file out behind him. One or two younger ones seem ready to speak or taunt you, but the others silence them. They fan out into a semi-circle around Brughor, facing you. A large shape blocks the cave mouth after the orcs have passed through; the ogre, ten feet tall, scowls at you and looks on.
Brughor takes another few steps forward, closer to you, eyes boring into you. He speaks.
Good challenge. Wordy, in the human way. Not the right forms. He spits. But good. Strong. Pleasing to Gruumsh. Sir… Ulrich. I accept. His face is split by a wide grin. To the death.
The orcs around you begin to beat their chests in a strong, steady rhythm, chanting as they do so: Kul. Kul. Kul. You recognise the orcish word: Death. Death. Death. Brughor grabs his greataxe and wields it in two massive hands. He steps forward.
Dekhan, please roll initiative.
Initiative: 3
Welp.
Dekhan repeats “light in the Dark. Calm and the Storm. Flame of the Ancients.” In his mind as he hefts his sword and stares at the huge orc.
Initiative: 19
Brughor slowly closes the gap between you, circling round as he does so. Human? No, something different. Not elf. He sniffs. Need to smell the blood. In a sudden movement, his greataxe comes swinging in a long circle straight for your torso:
Attack: 14 Damage: 15
This blow, had it landed, might have ended the fight in all but name; you feel the power of it as the axe clashes against your shield, but your shield and your arm hold true.
Dekhan is up.
Dekhan brings up his shield to block the greataxe, he deflects the blow and roars a primordial challenge at Brughor, as he does his eyes blue like never before and huge translucent, glowing wings sprout from his back, they move powerfully, buffeting Brughor and bearing Dekhan aloft. He hovers a foot or so above the ground making his eyes level with the towering Orc and smiles.
Still hiding in the shadows, Incantis whispers into Dekhan's mind. "Puny orc with horrid breath, fights his way to certain death. Onward now my holy mate, lead this greenskin to his fate..."
He gives Dekhan 1 Bardic Inspiration.
This can happen at any point so I'm happy to roll initiative.
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Varinth gives the circling fighters a wide birth and sidles up beside the orc on the end of the semi circle.
Nice weather for it. Vaz says sarcastically to the orc, indicating the drizzle, a dumb smile on his face. He offers the orc his wineskin and indicates that he's happy if he passes it along (he'll take a swig first if the orc looks suspicious).
Just out o' curiosity like, have you lot got a any dwarfs bundled up in there? he indicates the cave entrance with a nod of his head.
Insight : 2
Not meanin' ta pry or nufin' Vaz then reacts to the near deathblow SHITE! NICE DODGE SIR! *golf clap* he continues ..but me ova job is deliverin' messages and fecked if I can find this feckin' Rockyfella bloke. Oh here e' goes wif wings n all, Mister Holier Than Thou!
"By the hells lad." Scupper whispers to himself as the axe hits shield and he almost loosed an arrow at Brughor. "I nearly thought ye'd died."
Then the wings sprout, the eyes glow, and Dekhan rises. Scupper stifles a shout of surprise. "What the bleeding hells have ye become, Lightside? Well go get him fecker."
He goes back to his silent watch and keeps the arrow aimed at Brughor... occasionally casting a glance at the mountainous ogre shape and keeping sharp for any other movement nearby.
Dekhan, Brughor sneers at you. You're big for a ****in' pixie. Fey, then? Shoulda guessed from the centaur. He nods to Zoria. Yeah, I've seen her type. She'll fetch a good price at the slave markets in Luskan. But you, you're no good for our pot. Good thing Gog'll eat anything. He comes in again, for another swing with his greataxe:
Attack: 18 Damage: 6
The swing goes wide; he hasn't accounted for your increased mobility as you fly. He growls, and raises his axe defensively.
Varinth, the orcs ignore you completely, focused entirely on their rhythmic chant. Kul. Kul. Kul. You get no sense of what they are thinking, beyond their interest in the deathmatch playing out before them.
If anyone else wants to act or intervene, let me know and I'll decide if I need you to go into initiative order. Anything that the orcs might detect will probably involve a Deception or Sleight of Hand check. Luckily, your bard is telepathic...