Barty's "Lost Mine of Phandelver"

OOC: You do not yet know the exact location of the orcs, but you do know where Wyvern Tor is. It is currently late in the evening, so you will need to camp soon, but after that, Wyvern Tor is about a half a day's travel.

Tarok sits around a small pile of wood and kindling in the middle of their small camp, using his flint and tinder to try to create a spark as he speaks to the rest. "It seems like we have an evil wizard here, and a horde of orc raiders over there, and he's worried about them coming after him, so he's sent us to go kill them for him. I have a few questions regarding that. Firstly, when did we become the henchmen of a bald psycho who has a horde of zombies at his beckon call? Secondly, why don't we lure the orcs here and he can take care of them himself if he wants them dead so bad. Two groups of bad guys can beat each other into the lower hells for all I care. If our odds aren't so good, maybe we should go back to town and bring Sildar or some other warriors with us and sort this out. I didn't sign on to fetch a stick when a Thayan Wizard throws it." Tarok says, angrily poking the flickering fire with a stick to try and get some of the bigger logs to catch.

"If we're not going to bring him to justice ourselves, we should at least refrain from aiding him in his mysterious plans. Why do you think a wizard who animates corpses has plans he won't tell us about anyway? Think they're secret, charitable plans? Like he's planning a party for the mayor's birthday and he doesn't want to spoil the surprise? What a load. More like they're secret because they're bad and involve innocent people dying, and he didn't want to tell us because he saw us cutting through his zombies, and if we knew that he was up to anything worse we might do the same to him."

"You're good people that I've traveled with for some time, and we've stood up to bigger and badder things than a decrepit man in a tent. But I don't see how the people in town who cheer us on the streets can be safe with either the orcs or bald-angry-zombie-man over there are still skulking around here." Tarok spits, before leaving in a huff to collect some more branches for firewood.

Nemean stares at the fire for a long time before speaking "I am no fan of this strange man, but we had planned on clearing out the Orcs anyway. If we can take them out maybe he'll take us more seriously, and we'll be able to scare him off. We were really starting to carve through those zombies, but he had a lot of them! If we can chase him off without violence, that's probably better, no?" 

He pauses for a moment, and then stands up and looks at his friend, as he proudly cocks his head, with a reckless glint in his eye. "However, I want you to know that if you feel we must confront him, then I will fight by your side. Nemean Goldenmane will not stand idly by while his allies storm into combat!"

OOC: Ready to advance once an action is decided. Keep up the great roleplaying!

Tarok considers Nemean with a warm  smile. "I know you would my friend, but I don't think we need to throw ourselves into battle without some planning to gain the advantage, regardless of what comes. Maybe he will leave after, but he didn't seem to want to leave until his business was done. I still think anyone who takes corpses and uses magic to turn them into his slaves should face justice. We should at least talk to Sildar and get his opinion on how dangerous that wizard is before we return to him to strike a bargain. "

"Let's get some rest, and take on these orcs tomorrow. We were going to anyway. We can decide what to do about wizard once we're done at Wyvern Tor."

==Fayten=Elf=Cleric==

Fayten drinks in the new friendships and thinks about what they can do next. "Truly there is small chance that our good Wizard here will change his strips but our interest align just enough to encourage me at least to desire finding these orcs and chasing them away if possible.  I wouldn't turn down my portion of the reward either."  Fayten packs it in for the night and sleeps well.  If watches were assigned he will take his watch in turn.  He is excited to get a good start to his day.  (OOC: Let's hit the orcs at Wyvern Tor unless someone has a better idea)

OOC: I will bot Cinis until we find a replacement for him. To Wyvern Tor we go!

DM Screen:

The watchtower at Old Owl Well fades from view behind you just as the prominent crag called Wyvern Tor appears in the distance, visible even from a day's travel away.

The trail is empty throughout the day, and only a small amount of wildlife is found in the foothills along the way. You reach the base of the sizable hill as the day winds down. Its flanks and slopes contain miles of rugged terrain. Searching for the orcs rumored to be hanging around nearby may take some time.

OOC: Characters have gained the benefits of a long rest. Please establish a watch order if desired (Cinis will take whatever is not chosen) and a marching order for the search the following day.

==Fayten=Elf=Cleric==

"I can take the first watch for the night.  The activities of the day have me wired anyway.  Not sure I could go to sleep now if I tried."  Fayten searches around and finds a reasonable place to view the surroundings without being obvious to anything entering the camp.   (perception: 10)

"Sounds good, wake me up when you begin to feel tired, I'll travel at the front when we set off in the morning."

"I'll take third watch." States Nemean as he curls himself up resting his head on this tail. "Once we start out tomorrow I'll take first in line. I can try to scout ahead, Orcs aren't known for their attention for detail... I might be able to scout them out so we can get the jump on them." He yawns and stretches before getting comfortable and lightly dozing off. 

DM Screen:

A peaceful night leads to an overcast but warm morning. Tarok and Nemean lead the way, searching for the orc presence, while Fayten and Cinis watch for any trouble from behind.

Only an hour later, Nemean's catlike senses catch a very faint smell of smoke from the east.

The smell hangs on the air as you ascend a rugged ridge on the lower slopes of the hill. Fifty yards away, a cave mouth opens up at the bottom of a ravine. Hunkered down by a boulder twenty yards outside the cave, keeping watch, is a single orc.

Cinis False Life: 5

OOC: Are we all aware of the Orc or just Nemean?

OOC: All are aware of the orc.

Nemean signals the group to be quiet gathers them into a huddle and whispers "Do we want to try to engage them in good faith? Maybe they will reason with Tarok here and and speak with us." He nods at his half Orc friend. 

"Or should we take them by surprise and force them out? We can drop this one before he know what hit him... Do we think they will negotiate with us?"

Fayten thinks for a moment and then quietly says "I say Tarok tries to negotiate but here is a my addition just in case."  Fayten casts aid on the other three members of the party.  "I have just given you a blessing from my divine endowment.  You will feel its power for many hours.  Hide yourselves and if the fight becomes the only way then I will add a blessing on you as well.  We will give this our best effort. Does this work for everyone?"

"I can speak with them if you like, but truly I hate Orcs. I know little of their culture, having been raised among humans. What I do know is mostly cruelty and torment. Half-Orcs like myself are often unwelcome in Orcish clans, they believe we're weaker and thinblooded. If I go to speak with him, you should all lay in wait to ambush him, it's almost a certainty that it will turn into a fight, and he's likely not alone. Probably just a scout. You must understand that Orcs value strength and combat prowess. Words are weak, and even honeyed ones will carry little weight or respect here." Tarok warns the others.

"Very well" says Nemean as he takes out his bow. "I will attempt to sneak around to the side. I will be ready to open fire whenever you give the signal. If you can scare him off all the better.. if not we'll open fire upon him!"

Stealth 11

OOC: Added +5 temporary hit points, thanks Fayten!

==Fayten=Elf=Cleric==

"My oaths of life prevent me from suggesting direct action against those who have not acted against us, even dreaded Orcs.  However my expectations are pessimistic much like the rest of you.  I will wait here and act once the situation makes itself clear.  May you have a blessed path in front of you!" 

Fayten will ready a guiding bolt as soon as the Orc moves against Tarok. (OOC: @Barty: Not trying to map out too much ahead, let me know if I'm out of line.  At some point I can ready an action.)

OOC: Nemean - how close would you like to try to get while sneaking to the side?

Fayten - I have no issue whatsoever with actions being readied at any time, as long as a condition is given. If the orc moves against Tarok, that guiding bolt is readied.

Ready to advance once Tarok acts.

Tarok nods to the others and makes his way over to the Orc scout, making no attempt to hide himself, but rather walking as directly as possible. He speaks to the Orc in his own tongue, and straightens himself up to his full, and considerable height when addressing him. He greets him with a neutral tone and says:

"I have been separated from my tribe during a raid on a nearby human town. What tribe do you belong to, and what are you doing out here?"

Deception: 13