"Very well, then." Brevon climbs down from the wagon, shield slung over his shoulder and mace at his hip. He walks a few feet and tosses his waterskin in a direction perpendicular to the weapons and armor, to ensure they have to walk away from their belongings to retrieve it. He nods at Chuba, Atoh, and Orin. "Won't you help collect these armor and weapons in a tidy pile out of the way? Jek, throw them some more water? I will keep watch for now." Turning back in the direction of the orcs, he calls out across the sand. "A gesture of good faith. And if you help us, you may see your equipment returned to you. Now, tell us what you know of the conflicts in this region."
Jek looks at the others with a tilt to his head as they negotiate with these newcomers for water. He will admonish his comrades "We are in the Shem. If you come across one who needs water and you can help, you help. Be it friend or foe. You do not want that bad juju following you. The Bright Lady would not want people to suffer that fate."
He dismounts , grabs the water skin Brevon tossed and goes to the orc. He will help the orc drink, to ensure he doesn't drink it to fast. "Here, drink slow sips, not too quickly. The Shem is dangerous to those who aren't prepared for it. You should be wearing cloaks over your armor, too much skin exposed to the... suns now, I suppose... can be dangerous." After the orc has drank a few mouths full, he will move over to the Goblin, and help them as well. "Here you go, nice and slow. Too fast and it will pass right through you." He will start to move towards the worg, but then thinks better of it. He will give Brevon's water skin and his own to the Goblin "You should let them drink some as well. Slowly, the same as I did for you."
After they have all have drank some water, Jek will say in a formal, almost ritualistic manner "We will offer you our shade, if you agree to keep the peace. No fighting or animosity will be had under the shade provided by the Bright Lady. Do you agree or do you return to the Shem?"
The Orcs and the Goblin, even the Worg, seemed to understand that what they were being given was a chance to survive. The smaller Orc looked at the bigger one, its eyes full of questions, but it kept itself behaved as the big one eyed it back.
It looked agitated at the sight of Atoh drawing near, but the steadying hand from the bigger Orc seemed to calm it.
"Much respect." The big Orc said as it wiped one hand across its mouth, drying away water that had dribbled from around its tusks. "We would have died without your kindness. Much respect, even to the Hobbit."
Chuba dismounts Thathors and gathers the weapons and armor in a pile as Brevon suggested, away from them and away from the Order's direction of travel. She works in the sun with her hood pulled up for shade. When done, she pulls out her warhammer and leans on it, waiting for something to happen.
The Orcs eyeballed one another, and the Goblin shifted nervously as he slid down from the Worg and took the reins. The big wolf kept its head down, looking at the ground the whole while the Order of the Phoenix crowded in around them and disarmed them. The big one, unmistakably the leader, held a hand over the chest of his partner.
"Give us water, and we shall go on our way." The big Orc demanded. He thought for a second about what he'd said, his jaw clenching, unclenching, huge tusks clicking together below gums. He made eye contact with various members of the band to show sincerity. "Please."
The last word was forced and probably not a regular part of his vocabulary.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jek will look at him with a tilted head. "We have offered water and peace. We asked (nodding towards Brevon) simple questions. Please answer our questions, and we will let you leave unbothered."
The big Orc looks at his partner, then mouths something to him in Orc tongue. He looked like he wasn't thrilled about having to answer questions, but sighed and began anyway.
"We were sent to gather intelligence on the region between the Tower of the Elephant and Castle Grayskull." The Orc started, stating his reason for being in the area first and foremost while looking at the band before him, then his eyes settling on Atoh. "We were ambushed by one of the Khan's up north, and many of our platoons were attacked with fierce resistance. Our squad was slaughtered in a terrible fight some week past. I would believe that there are skirmishes all over the northern end of the Shem with the Halflings."
The Orc took a deep breath.
"We offer no trouble. We are proud warriors, but we are not looking for a fight, especially one that we have no reason for, and that we cannot win. We only want water and to be left to conduct our business and return to the Black Crags."
Chuba looks to her companions for a decision. As they are thinking, she says, "We not bandits."
She mounts Thathors and trots a few paces in the direction of their destination. To the kneeling travelers, she says, "No don armor or take weapons until out of sight, or we return to finish job."
( What should I do? ) Atoh asks herself. If these Orcs are scounts, they might report the order to their main army later. That will be a big problem. But Brevon and others have already promised to help the Orcs. If Atoh tries to kill the savages that will injure the band's honor. ( What would my siblings do, if they are here… ) Bena always helps those she can help even if they are the clan's mortal enemy. Esin would have killed the Orcs with no regret and mercy. Zeki would do the same but in a more ruthless and cruel way. Guld would take the Orcs his prisoners for informations. Yilz … she would probably try to pretend that Orcs don't exist. And poor Melk would not decide what to do. ( But Adal… what Adal would do? ) Atoh looks at her dragon. Tola nods to her and she nods back to him.
@The Orcs
Atoh moves her mastiff 10ft forward. ( I am Khun! Don't call me a Hobbit! ) Shetalks to the big orc in his mind.
Silent Speech
You can speak telepathically to any one creature you share a language with within 30 ft.
" Tell us about Black Crags and who hire you to gather information. Also I want to know the name of the Khan you have fought with." Atoh uses her telepathic power to shake the Orc leader. She wants to see through the warrior's ture intention behind his thick skull.
Insight:26, 16( Use the highest value if DM admits my Advantage.)
The Orc seems nonplused by Chuba's attempt to intimidate him, but settles his eyes quickly back on the Halfling girl as she rode forward on her mastiff. The Worg didn't like the approach of the rival mount, but it was well trained and stayed next to its jockey...who cowered from the presence of the Halfling.
He stares intensely at Atoh as their minds lock together, then answers out loud.
"Our fealty is to Lord Vader." The Orc said for all to hear, flat and without emotion. He didn't even try to be deceitful to Atoh. "The Black Crags are his stronghold, and we operate from there. Our camps are there, and our fortresses, and we serve our Lord and do as we are told. As for the Khan, I do not know his name, but the battle was terrible, and I am sure that other patrols shall happen upon them soon. Their attack was unprovoked, and it shant go unanswered."
Jek takes a step back at the mention of Vader. "Wait, what? Why does ... uhhh... Lord ... Vader have an interest in the Shem? Why go to the Tower of the Elephant? Castle Grayskull? He's very scary!"
Jek takes a deep breath to calm himself. He will look at the orcs again, and say "We are friends now, yes? We gave you water and shade. I suggest you answer all our questions honestly and completely. Tell us everything about what Lord Vader is doing here. There are no secrets between friends."
Jek will cast a twinned Suggestion on the two Orcs, Wis 16 DC.
The two Orcs listen, but only one, the smaller one, is mesmerized by Jek's words. The big one keeps a hand on the smaller one's chest but offers no resistance as the other Orc speaks.
The small Orc clearly lacks the tongue or education of its compatriot. It's accent is heavy and its speech is clumsy, but the party is able to determine what is says by conferring with one another what each of them has heard.
The small Orc sincerely tells them that he does not know why they were given the orders they were given or what Lord Vader wants in the Shem. He only knows, for certain, that their Squad was to perform reconnaissance between the Tower of the Elephant and Castle Grayskull, and then return. He knows that Lord Vader has ordered the Tower of the Elephant cordoned off from outsiders, but that he doesn't know why, and that, as far as he knows, no harm has befallen anyone at the Tower. According to him, most of Vader's forces are operating in the vicinity of the Nockmaar Valley at the moment, though he is not privy to know why.
The big Orc removes his hand from the other's chest finally and begins to speak as well.
"We are not friends, no." The big one said. "But we mean you no harm. We have much respect for you, for your gift of water. We only want to complete our mission and return to our people."
Jek is shocked to hear about the extent that Vader has entered the Shem. And why do they need reconnaissance between Castle Grayskull and the Tower of the Elephant.
Okay, it's time to put some of his training to use. With a nod to the orcs (and still concentrating on his spell that's ahold of the little orc) Jek will say. "We may not be friends, but we certainly aren't enemies. I wanted to show my friends some of the wonders of my home, and the Tower of the Elephant is definitely one of those wonders. Tell me, would it be possible to get access to the Tower, as a return for our gift to you?"
"It is not only the Shem they are interested in,"Brevon says grimly, clutching the AURYN. "Kerwyn of Eternia shares dark news. They have just left Fantasia at the port of Timber Place and are crossing the ocean of Eternia. A huge army of hobgoblins and orcs were landing as they were leaving. They are forces allied with Lord Vader, and they had his symbol."
"The tower is guarded, though I do not know to what extent." Big Orc says. "We have it cordoned, but I do not know if pilgrims may pass in and out. That is beyond my scope."
The Orc listens to Brevon's words, but keeps quiet, keeping its eyes turned down toward the sands.
"We thank you for your gift of water, but we must be on our way. Will you give us back our armor and weapons so we may continue, or would you depart so that we could reapply our wares and be on about our business?
"Very well, then." Brevon climbs down from the wagon, shield slung over his shoulder and mace at his hip. He walks a few feet and tosses his waterskin in a direction perpendicular to the weapons and armor, to ensure they have to walk away from their belongings to retrieve it. He nods at Chuba, Atoh, and Orin. "Won't you help collect these armor and weapons in a tidy pile out of the way? Jek, throw them some more water? I will keep watch for now." Turning back in the direction of the orcs, he calls out across the sand. "A gesture of good faith. And if you help us, you may see your equipment returned to you. Now, tell us what you know of the conflicts in this region."
Jek looks at the others with a tilt to his head as they negotiate with these newcomers for water. He will admonish his comrades "We are in the Shem. If you come across one who needs water and you can help, you help. Be it friend or foe. You do not want that bad juju following you. The Bright Lady would not want people to suffer that fate."
He dismounts , grabs the water skin Brevon tossed and goes to the orc. He will help the orc drink, to ensure he doesn't drink it to fast. "Here, drink slow sips, not too quickly. The Shem is dangerous to those who aren't prepared for it. You should be wearing cloaks over your armor, too much skin exposed to the... suns now, I suppose... can be dangerous." After the orc has drank a few mouths full, he will move over to the Goblin, and help them as well. "Here you go, nice and slow. Too fast and it will pass right through you." He will start to move towards the worg, but then thinks better of it. He will give Brevon's water skin and his own to the Goblin "You should let them drink some as well. Slowly, the same as I did for you."
After they have all have drank some water, Jek will say in a formal, almost ritualistic manner "We will offer you our shade, if you agree to keep the peace. No fighting or animosity will be had under the shade provided by the Bright Lady. Do you agree or do you return to the Shem?"
The Orcs and the Goblin, even the Worg, seemed to understand that what they were being given was a chance to survive. The smaller Orc looked at the bigger one, its eyes full of questions, but it kept itself behaved as the big one eyed it back.
It looked agitated at the sight of Atoh drawing near, but the steadying hand from the bigger Orc seemed to calm it.
"Much respect." The big Orc said as it wiped one hand across its mouth, drying away water that had dribbled from around its tusks. "We would have died without your kindness. Much respect, even to the Hobbit."
The big Orc nodded at Atoh appreciatively.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Orin goes up to them with his Alchemy Jug and pours out water into what ever cups they have
D&D since 1984
Chuba dismounts Thathors and gathers the weapons and armor in a pile as Brevon suggested, away from them and away from the Order's direction of travel. She works in the sun with her hood pulled up for shade. When done, she pulls out her warhammer and leans on it, waiting for something to happen.
The Orcs eyeballed one another, and the Goblin shifted nervously as he slid down from the Worg and took the reins. The big wolf kept its head down, looking at the ground the whole while the Order of the Phoenix crowded in around them and disarmed them. The big one, unmistakably the leader, held a hand over the chest of his partner.
"Give us water, and we shall go on our way." The big Orc demanded. He thought for a second about what he'd said, his jaw clenching, unclenching, huge tusks clicking together below gums. He made eye contact with various members of the band to show sincerity. "Please."
The last word was forced and probably not a regular part of his vocabulary.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Jek will look at him with a tilted head. "We have offered water and peace. We asked (nodding towards Brevon) simple questions. Please answer our questions, and we will let you leave unbothered."
Persuasion 20
The big Orc looks at his partner, then mouths something to him in Orc tongue. He looked like he wasn't thrilled about having to answer questions, but sighed and began anyway.
"We were sent to gather intelligence on the region between the Tower of the Elephant and Castle Grayskull." The Orc started, stating his reason for being in the area first and foremost while looking at the band before him, then his eyes settling on Atoh. "We were ambushed by one of the Khan's up north, and many of our platoons were attacked with fierce resistance. Our squad was slaughtered in a terrible fight some week past. I would believe that there are skirmishes all over the northern end of the Shem with the Halflings."
The Orc took a deep breath.
"We offer no trouble. We are proud warriors, but we are not looking for a fight, especially one that we have no reason for, and that we cannot win. We only want water and to be left to conduct our business and return to the Black Crags."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Chuba looks to her companions for a decision. As they are thinking, she says, "We not bandits."
She mounts Thathors and trots a few paces in the direction of their destination. To the kneeling travelers, she says, "No don armor or take weapons until out of sight, or we return to finish job."
Intimidation 7
( What should I do? ) Atoh asks herself. If these Orcs are scounts, they might report the order to their main army later. That will be a big problem. But Brevon and others have already promised to help the Orcs. If Atoh tries to kill the savages that will injure the band's honor. ( What would my siblings do, if they are here… ) Bena always helps those she can help even if they are the clan's mortal enemy. Esin would have killed the Orcs with no regret and mercy. Zeki would do the same but in a more ruthless and cruel way. Guld would take the Orcs his prisoners for informations. Yilz … she would probably try to pretend that Orcs don't exist. And poor Melk would not decide what to do. ( But Adal… what Adal would do? ) Atoh looks at her dragon. Tola nods to her and she nods back to him.
@The Orcs
Atoh moves her mastiff 10ft forward. ( I am Khun! Don't call me a Hobbit! ) She talks to the big orc in his mind.
Silent Speech
You can speak telepathically to any one creature you share a language with within 30 ft.
" Tell us about Black Crags and who hire you to gather information. Also I want to know the name of the Khan you have fought with." Atoh uses her telepathic power to shake the Orc leader. She wants to see through the warrior's ture intention behind his thick skull.
Insight:26, 16 ( Use the highest value if DM admits my Advantage.)
The Orc seems nonplused by Chuba's attempt to intimidate him, but settles his eyes quickly back on the Halfling girl as she rode forward on her mastiff. The Worg didn't like the approach of the rival mount, but it was well trained and stayed next to its jockey...who cowered from the presence of the Halfling.
He stares intensely at Atoh as their minds lock together, then answers out loud.
"Our fealty is to Lord Vader." The Orc said for all to hear, flat and without emotion. He didn't even try to be deceitful to Atoh. "The Black Crags are his stronghold, and we operate from there. Our camps are there, and our fortresses, and we serve our Lord and do as we are told. As for the Khan, I do not know his name, but the battle was terrible, and I am sure that other patrols shall happen upon them soon. Their attack was unprovoked, and it shant go unanswered."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
(Do they acknowledge Orin giving them water?)
D&D since 1984
Jek takes a step back at the mention of Vader. "Wait, what? Why does ... uhhh... Lord ... Vader have an interest in the Shem? Why go to the Tower of the Elephant? Castle Grayskull? He's very scary!"
Jek takes a deep breath to calm himself. He will look at the orcs again, and say "We are friends now, yes? We gave you water and shade. I suggest you answer all our questions honestly and completely. Tell us everything about what Lord Vader is doing here. There are no secrets between friends."
Jek will cast a twinned Suggestion on the two Orcs, Wis 16 DC.
The two Orcs listen, but only one, the smaller one, is mesmerized by Jek's words. The big one keeps a hand on the smaller one's chest but offers no resistance as the other Orc speaks.
The small Orc clearly lacks the tongue or education of its compatriot. It's accent is heavy and its speech is clumsy, but the party is able to determine what is says by conferring with one another what each of them has heard.
The small Orc sincerely tells them that he does not know why they were given the orders they were given or what Lord Vader wants in the Shem. He only knows, for certain, that their Squad was to perform reconnaissance between the Tower of the Elephant and Castle Grayskull, and then return. He knows that Lord Vader has ordered the Tower of the Elephant cordoned off from outsiders, but that he doesn't know why, and that, as far as he knows, no harm has befallen anyone at the Tower. According to him, most of Vader's forces are operating in the vicinity of the Nockmaar Valley at the moment, though he is not privy to know why.
The big Orc removes his hand from the other's chest finally and begins to speak as well.
"We are not friends, no." The big one said. "But we mean you no harm. We have much respect for you, for your gift of water. We only want to complete our mission and return to our people."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Jek is shocked to hear about the extent that Vader has entered the Shem. And why do they need reconnaissance between Castle Grayskull and the Tower of the Elephant.
Okay, it's time to put some of his training to use. With a nod to the orcs (and still concentrating on his spell that's ahold of the little orc) Jek will say. "We may not be friends, but we certainly aren't enemies. I wanted to show my friends some of the wonders of my home, and the Tower of the Elephant is definitely one of those wonders. Tell me, would it be possible to get access to the Tower, as a return for our gift to you?"
Persuasion 13
"It is not only the Shem they are interested in," Brevon says grimly, clutching the AURYN. "Kerwyn of Eternia shares dark news. They have just left Fantasia at the port of Timber Place and are crossing the ocean of Eternia. A huge army of hobgoblins and orcs were landing as they were leaving. They are forces allied with Lord Vader, and they had his symbol."
"The tower is guarded, though I do not know to what extent." Big Orc says. "We have it cordoned, but I do not know if pilgrims may pass in and out. That is beyond my scope."
The Orc listens to Brevon's words, but keeps quiet, keeping its eyes turned down toward the sands.
"We thank you for your gift of water, but we must be on our way. Will you give us back our armor and weapons so we may continue, or would you depart so that we could reapply our wares and be on about our business?
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A new voice calls out from behind the party.
Brevon turns, drawing his mace and shield. "And who is this?"
Orin finishes pouring water and stowing the jug. He walks over to the new comer and says "Hi, what brings you out here?"
D&D since 1984