Captured orc have another one of his long pauses when you see he is thinking. Then he gives a motion of his body like he would like you to stop holding him, and talk like equals. He states looking west upon descending sun: "I am Grumada, I am orc who will defeat a dragon and claim Orcish Fortress from a White Dragon. You bunch of hummies will be mine mercenaries. I will lead my Clan to glory. Dragon slayer Clan!" He got excited and needs some time to calm down his excitement, after couple of deep breaths he talks again, this time looking at you:"I go to my clan now and speak. We know the way to dragon. You come when you ready and you come with us kill dragon. We don't need gold. Gold is for hummies. Fortress is ours when we defeat Dragon. We good?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
"Perfect. We mercenaries, " Tryn points out his little group, "keep riches. Orcs keep fortress and will be known by great name. Dragon dead. Deal." He reaches out with his hand in a gesture he hopes also is common enough for Orcs to seal a deal.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
Progo would like to know where the dragons held up so we can best plan, and not get eaten before assault. Those closest might be more willing to help resist it, plus Progo would hate to stumble into its abode. Here's the map.
Once the orc has left the group, Goraseth speaks: "Well that was efficient my camarades ! They are going to leave the place and we might have a help when fighting this dragon. I must say masters Tryn and Progo, you did amazingly well." He then points at the border of the forest and continues: "What about we camp in the forest for tonight and check out the orc camp once they have left ?"
If the orc left his peers on the floor, Goraseth will check their pockets (Investigation 14)
"I do not show you where dragon is. I Lead to dragon. Now i go to my tribe to speak to my tribe. We wait there for you to come. When you come we march together to kill dragon."
Grumada does not seem to care for his fallen comrades, and leaves.
Insight for Progo:
The way he reacted and spoke, you get a strong sense that he has not necessarily any ruling spot in the tribe. You sense that his intentions are true, but you are not sure if he can speak for whole clan, and that might mean that the ultimate decision will be made when he returns to his brethren.
Tryncaryn i consider your portent roll of 7 to be used in that conversation.
Goraseth you find on one of the orcs: hunting trap
For clarity. Orcs wont leave their camp now. Grumada said they will wait for your party to come to them and then march together to kill the dragon. That means you can still go to other places and come for orcs whenever you are ready to face the dragon.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
"Good trap, could be useful ! So looks like we may have found ally - sort of -. Should we go check out the ranch after a sleep ?". Goraseth place the hunting trap on the side of his backpack.
“A rest sounds like a great idea. We could put the trap to the test. I’m starving.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
"I am happy to help with hunting... this whole conversation left a stale taste in my mouth. Can we trust orcs? I guess better than nothing? To do a little stroll through the bushes and see what game we can find."
"One ally for sure, but Progo wonders if Orcs would send one who could speak for entire tribe out on scouting mission. Progo has a feeling that we will making the same argument when we return if not be coming to a trap. Hopefully we provided Grumada with enough logic to persuade his comrades. Too bad we couldn't get lair location from him. But if luck and more aid we can convince them to join later if Grumada fails in his mission. A rest wounds good, but Progo feels its best as far from here as possible as they know we are out here and have killed some of their own."
You change your location to not be obvious for orcs nearby and set up a camp for the night. Just before the slumber takes you hear some noises nearby. Upon checking what is going on you spot 3 horses drinking from a pond. (Whoever is interested in horses please roll Wisdom(Perception), also whoever would like to approach a horse without startling it roll for Wisdom(Animal Handling). You can make both rolls. However if a horse is startled by someone it will run away. So only 3 rolls for animal handling and it is done)
The next morning is a little humid, so there is a lot of dew on the grass. Sky is heavily clouded but it does not look like it would rain anytime soon. Following the Triboar Trail it would take you around 2 hours to get to the ranch. After about an hour of march you see a cow, with a cowbell hanged around her neck, on the field couple hundred feet of the trail. Eventually you get to your destination. Butterskull Ranch occupies a large plot of land on the north side of the Triboar Trail, nestled between two hills. Beyond a ramshackle wooden fence stand corn fields, an apple orchard, gardens, and pasture land. A path breaks off from the trail to lead to a two-story farmhouse next to a pond. West of the farmhouse are the charred remains of a barn and smithy that have been burned to the ground.
Here is the layout of the ranch. You can roll for horses and/or interact with a cow before you state what you do on the ranch.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tryncaryn settles down comfortably for the long rest under open sky in the lower hills. This is what he considers an ideal resting place, not some stuffy inn. Fresh crisp air and and the sounds of nature all around. Was there a noise like from a horse? (Perception: 4) If he believes he heard a horse, he will try to sneak up on it, because he’d expect it accompanied by a rider. (Stealth: 8). Again if he noticed the horses, and found them riderless, he’d try to approach and calm or one for starters (Animal handling: 13).
(Tryn’s new Portent rolls: 14 and 20)
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Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
After he sacred a horse away with his efforts, he’ll return to the others and inform them, “Hey there are horses over there. I fear I scared off one already but there are two more, we should try to calm them. They could carry our baggage until we find their owner. I can try again but I thought since the first already didn’t like me, perhaps someone else wants to try.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Once at the range, Tryn tries to find tracks and when and how much traffic there has been recently. (Survival: 18) Then he starts to investigate the area around the house. (Investigation: 14; Perception: 10)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
Tryncaryn when you startled the horse you glanced that it was branded with the letters BAK.
Goraseth you came closer to the cow. Cow seems perfectly normal and calm, has branded letters BAK on the side. About the farm, well you don't have farms like that in your homeland so you figure that is like a farm looks like and it is ok.
Tryncaryn you can estimate there was some commotion at the farm, there is multiple tracks of bipedals and couple of horses. It is hard to estimate numbers. Investigating the house, you establish that burned barn and smithy is a recent thing. Can't see much in the house, but upon investigating its exterior you are sure it was attacked. You hear someone in the house, but it is not loud enough to ascertain details of what could be happening inside.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
Does the cow seems lost or is it in a enclosure ? If it seems lost, I will use my rope of 50ft and trv to tie up to something until I find who/where is BAK
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Unless someone else wants to try to calm the horses, Tryn will continue trying to calm one or both of the others (spoiler below, so that if anyone wants to do it, please don't check the spoiler before saying so).
Animal handling 2: 12 Animal handling 3: 16
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
At the farm: Tryn alarms the others, "I think they attacked the farm." (as if that isn't obvious but he would point it out just the same) "I think there is still someone inside the house, we should check it out! Perhaps someone hid during the attack." he hesitates, "Or an attacker is still here! Better be on your guard!"
Then, he approaches the farm house to get a better look through the window and listens more carefully to the sound that comes from the inside (Perception: 15).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
Captured orc have another one of his long pauses when you see he is thinking. Then he gives a motion of his body like he would like you to stop holding him, and talk like equals. He states looking west upon descending sun: "I am Grumada, I am orc who will defeat a dragon and claim Orcish Fortress from a White Dragon. You bunch of hummies will be mine mercenaries. I will lead my Clan to glory. Dragon slayer Clan!" He got excited and needs some time to calm down his excitement, after couple of deep breaths he talks again, this time looking at you:"I go to my clan now and speak. We know the way to dragon. You come when you ready and you come with us kill dragon. We don't need gold. Gold is for hummies. Fortress is ours when we defeat Dragon. We good?"
Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
Progo lowers his bow and smiles a bit.
Orcish
We're good. We will put squishy humans to use.
Insight check: 9
"Perfect. We mercenaries, " Tryn points out his little group, "keep riches. Orcs keep fortress and will be known by great name. Dragon dead. Deal." He reaches out with his hand in a gesture he hopes also is common enough for Orcs to seal a deal.
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
"Progo, can you ask them to show on our map where is this fortress ?" whispers Goraseth
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Orcish
Progo would like to know where the dragons held up so we can best plan, and not get eaten before assault. Those closest might be more willing to help resist it, plus Progo would hate to stumble into its abode. Here's the map.
Progo holds out the map towards Grumada.
Once the orc has left the group, Goraseth speaks: "Well that was efficient my camarades ! They are going to leave the place and we might have a help when fighting this dragon. I must say masters Tryn and Progo, you did amazingly well."
He then points at the border of the forest and continues: "What about we camp in the forest for tonight
and check out the orc camp once they have left ?"If the orc left his peers on the floor, Goraseth will check their pockets (Investigation 14)
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
"I do not show you where dragon is. I Lead to dragon. Now i go to my tribe to speak to my tribe. We wait there for you to come. When you come we march together to kill dragon."
Grumada does not seem to care for his fallen comrades, and leaves.
Insight for Progo:
The way he reacted and spoke, you get a strong sense that he has not necessarily any ruling spot in the tribe. You sense that his intentions are true, but you are not sure if he can speak for whole clan, and that might mean that the ultimate decision will be made when he returns to his brethren.
Tryncaryn i consider your portent roll of 7 to be used in that conversation.
Goraseth you find on one of the orcs: hunting trap
For clarity. Orcs wont leave their camp now. Grumada said they will wait for your party to come to them and then march together to kill the dragon. That means you can still go to other places and come for orcs whenever you are ready to face the dragon.
Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
"Good trap, could be useful ! So looks like we may have found ally - sort of -. Should we go check out the ranch after a sleep ?".
Goraseth place the hunting trap on the side of his backpack.
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
“A rest sounds like a great idea. We could put the trap to the test. I’m starving.”
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
"I am happy to help with hunting... this whole conversation left a stale taste in my mouth. Can we trust orcs? I guess better than nothing? To do a little stroll through the bushes and see what game we can find."
"One ally for sure, but Progo wonders if Orcs would send one who could speak for entire tribe out on scouting mission. Progo has a feeling that we will making the same argument when we return if not be coming to a trap. Hopefully we provided Grumada with enough logic to persuade his comrades. Too bad we couldn't get lair location from him. But if luck and more aid we can convince them to join later if Grumada fails in his mission. A rest wounds good, but Progo feels its best as far from here as possible as they know we are out here and have killed some of their own."
You change your location to not be obvious for orcs nearby and set up a camp for the night. Just before the slumber takes you hear some noises nearby. Upon checking what is going on you spot 3 horses drinking from a pond.
(Whoever is interested in horses please roll Wisdom(Perception), also whoever would like to approach a horse without startling it roll for Wisdom(Animal Handling). You can make both rolls. However if a horse is startled by someone it will run away. So only 3 rolls for animal handling and it is done)
The next morning is a little humid, so there is a lot of dew on the grass. Sky is heavily clouded but it does not look like it would rain anytime soon. Following the Triboar Trail it would take you around 2 hours to get to the ranch. After about an hour of march you see a cow, with a cowbell hanged around her neck, on the field couple hundred feet of the trail. Eventually you get to your destination. Butterskull Ranch occupies a large plot of land on the north side of the Triboar Trail, nestled between two hills. Beyond a ramshackle wooden fence stand corn fields, an apple orchard, gardens, and pasture land. A path breaks off from the trail to lead to a two-story farmhouse next to a pond. West of the farmhouse are the charred remains of a barn and smithy that have been burned to the ground.
Here is the layout of the ranch. You can roll for horses and/or interact with a cow before you state what you do on the ranch.

Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
(OOC: Happy to let someone shine for the horses... not much my domain...)
Perception to see if anything is wrong with the cow: 8
Perception to see if anything is strange with the farm: 5
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Tryncaryn settles down comfortably for the long rest under open sky in the lower hills. This is what he considers an ideal resting place, not some stuffy inn. Fresh crisp air and and the sounds of nature all around. Was there a noise like from a horse? (Perception: 4) If he believes he heard a horse, he will try to sneak up on it, because he’d expect it accompanied by a rider. (Stealth: 8). Again if he noticed the horses, and found them riderless, he’d try to approach and calm or one for starters (Animal handling: 13).
(Tryn’s new Portent rolls: 14 and 20)
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
(Incredible… the same two rolls for Portent)
After he sacred a horse away with his efforts, he’ll return to the others and inform them, “Hey there are horses over there. I fear I scared off one already but there are two more, we should try to calm them. They could carry our baggage until we find their owner. I can try again but I thought since the first already didn’t like me, perhaps someone else wants to try.”
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
Once at the range, Tryn tries to find tracks and when and how much traffic there has been recently. (Survival: 18) Then he starts to investigate the area around the house. (Investigation: 14; Perception: 10)
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
Tryncaryn when you startled the horse you glanced that it was branded with the letters BAK.
Goraseth you came closer to the cow. Cow seems perfectly normal and calm, has branded letters BAK on the side. About the farm, well you don't have farms like that in your homeland so you figure that is like a farm looks like and it is ok.
Tryncaryn you can estimate there was some commotion at the farm, there is multiple tracks of bipedals and couple of horses. It is hard to estimate numbers. Investigating the house, you establish that burned barn and smithy is a recent thing. Can't see much in the house, but upon investigating its exterior you are sure it was attacked. You hear someone in the house, but it is not loud enough to ascertain details of what could be happening inside.
Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
Does the cow seems lost or is it in a enclosure ?
If it seems lost, I will use my rope of 50ft and trv to tie up to something until I find who/where is BAK
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Unless someone else wants to try to calm the horses, Tryn will continue trying to calm one or both of the others (spoiler below, so that if anyone wants to do it, please don't check the spoiler before saying so).
Animal handling 2: 12
Animal handling 3: 16
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
At the farm:
Tryn alarms the others, "I think they attacked the farm." (as if that isn't obvious but he would point it out just the same) "I think there is still someone inside the house, we should check it out! Perhaps someone hid during the attack." he hesitates, "Or an attacker is still here! Better be on your guard!"
Then, he approaches the farm house to get a better look through the window and listens more carefully to the sound that comes from the inside (Perception: 15).
Sorry, I'm beginning to enter a vacation period and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||