"Petunia?" says Gareth. "I think you're in luck, Big Al. We came across a cow and some horses on our way here. They were near the ruins of Conyberry. We tied them up not far from here. I can go get them for you."

He follows Big Al inside the farmhouse as he speaks and watches as he tends to his injuries. Eldrin cleans a chair with magic before sitting down on it, which causes the ranger to smile. It was just such an Eldrin thing to do. 

Meira gives Eldrin a slight grin at his very factual answer.  As others head inside, she follows. "I am certainly willing to help you clean things up, Big Al.  And yes, as Gareth said, your cows tied to the fence just the other side of your fields."  As Big Al and then Eldrin sit, her eyes glance up the stairs. "We are sure no orcs are left?" she asks. "With your permission, maybe we should check things out upstairs?"  While waiting for an answer she slowly starts to creep up. (Stealth: 11)

"Petunia?" Lyra asks once she follows everyone inside. She looks momentarily lost, until she realizes Big Al is talking about Daisy. "OH! You mean Daisy? I thought of giving her a name when Zephyros found her, but Petunia is definitely a beautiful name for your prize cow." She pauses for a beat. "Are the horses yours as well? They're Larry, Barry, and Harry. Though I guess you had other names for them, too?"

The cleric sits with the rest and asks curiously, "Might I ask… the butter skulls… how… I mean… why…?" She frowns, unsure how to put her thoughts into words, and finally blurts out bluntly, "What are they for? Are they, like, for eating? I mean, they're cool, of course! I've just never seen butter shaped into skulls before." She chuckles nervously.

Her tone grows more serious when she addresses Big Al's farm hand. "Of course we'll help. We'll bury them. Perhaps after you've rested and feel a bit better, we could say our farewells. Maybe before the sun sets—I'm pretty sure your farm will have a beautiful glow by then." Lyra pauses, "I am so sorry. I wish we could have helped earlier."

"Yes, checking upstairs would be wise. I can go with you." The seasoned warrior mentions, affirming the deft rogue's idea.

Zephyros then turns to Big Al and adds, "After that, I can help burn the orc bodies." 

Stealth: 8

Gareth,

Big Al finishes with his bandages and he raises his head towards you. "That's wonderful news! Yes, please. My barn was destroyed, but with a little bit of work we can secure the western pasture to keep the animals in. I have some nails here in the farmhouse and extra planks behind my smithy. Stinking orcs destroyed my smithy as well." He finishes his sentence while shaking his head. 

 Meira, and Zephyros,

"Thank you for the help, Meira." Big Al stands quickly as Meira suggests making sure the home is safe. "Good point. Yes, of course you have my permission. I can't believe I didn't think to do the same." He watches as Zephyros moves to join Meira and relaxes again. He nods at Zephyros as he offers to help burn the orc bodies. "Thank you... oh by the way, since you rescued me and my sweet Petunia, please help yourself to what you find in the secret compartment of my wardrobe."

Moving up the stairs, you first find yourself in a common room. Padded chairs and game tables are arranged about this room. Scattered on the floor are Three-Dragon Ante playing cards and wooden Dragonchess pieces. Moving down the hall, you see six doors, three to the north and three to the south. All of the doors are opened except the first door on the northern side of the hallway. Three of the rooms with open doors all look similar and contains two beds and two footlockers. The last room down the hallway has a large desk with stacks of papers on it, but is otherwise empty. There is a broom closet across the hall from the office. At the end of the hallway is a staircase leading back down to the first floor of the farmhouse. 

Presuming you open the door to the first room you passed...

Lyra,

Big Al smiles as you engage him in conversation. He moves to the dining room of the home where you see a huge mess created by the orcs who appear to have feasted and drank after their victory over the ranchers. He finds several untouched wine glasses in a partially broken hutch along with a bottle of wine covered in dust hidden on top. He wipes the bottle off and uncorks it. Pours a glass for you, Eldrin and himself. Drinking the glass in a single gulp, he pours himself another.

"Daisy huh... that's a nice name. I like Daisy. Yes, the horses are mine also. Their names are Argento, Scatto, and Spartan." The large man laughs heartily as you ask him about the butter skulls. "Of course they are for eating. Truth be told, I don't really know why I make my butter into the shape of a skull. I guess to just make them unique, and when something is unique you can charge more for it. Maybe I'm a bit morbid as well." He downs his second glass of wine and stares off as you talk about helping to bury the dead, "Yes, well you came in time to save my hide, and for that I'm grateful."

 Eldrin accepts the proffered glass of wine and swirls it in the glass, inspecting its runs. He takes a deep smell of the alcoholic beverage before saying, "Hmm... a fruity bouquet with hints of lavender." He looks at Lyra with the smallest hint of a smile as he takes the tiniest of sips, allowing the liquid to stay in his mouth for a moment before swallowing. "This wine is... adequate. Thank you." It's somewhat unclear to Big Al that this is high praise from the wizard, but Big Al nods.

"thank you sir," The fighter nods in appreciation to the rancher, then begins traversing up the stairs.

Immediately upon seeing the slumbering orc, the bear of a man holds his breath and tenses up.

Noticing the half-empty cask of ale, the veteran calms and relaxes.

"Dead drunk, I reckon." Ironheart shakes his head.

Zephyros subtly whispers to Meira, "Should we take him hostage? Or... dispose of him?"

"I almost feel sorry for this creature. Almost. But not quite." Ironheart quietly mentions, waiting patiently for Meira's command.

Meira looks back at Zephyros for a moment, surprised that he's given her the decision.  Knowing there is no rush, she considers a moment. 'Is the man testing me?' she wonders. She decides he isn't, just asking for her opinion.  Keeping her voice very quiet, she responds, "Let's see if we can take him prisoner. Maybe get some information." She swiftly gets the rope from her pack, holding it out for the man to see.  She then advances towards the orc being as silent as possible to see about tying him. 

(Sleight of Hand if needed: 8)

 Zephyros & Meira,

You turn the orc over and tie his hands behind his back. He shows no signs of returning to consciousness. 

"Good idea," Zephyros murmurs, nodding his had in approval.

Ironheart, after Meira bonds the orc, slings the beast over his shoulder in a fireman's carry.

Turning to the rogue, the veteran states, "Let's take him to Mr. Al."

Assuming Meira agrees, Zephyros begins delivering the orc to the rancher.

Meira certainly agrees to delivering the orc to Big Al. "Although I can't imagine he's going to be happy talking to an orc. I think we should at least try to learn a little bit about why all these orcs seem to be roaming everywhere and attacking things."  She then pauses before they leave the room. "He said something about the wardrobe and the secret compartment."  She quickly goes to the wardrobe and starts to search around for the compartment. (Investigation: 10) 

Meira,

Inspecting the wardrobe, you immediately find a false bottom. Removing it, you see the bottom of the space covered with a nice wool blanket. On top of the blanket is a finely crafted longbow and quiver of arrows, a small leather pouch, and a set of finely crafted leather armor that appears to have additional fur stitched into the armor. The armor looks like it would fit a larger man, such as Big Al. Lastly, you find a finely crafted dagger with a silver inlaid leather sheath.

You then follow Zephyros downstairs as he carries the imprisoned sleeping orc over his shoulders.

Zephyros, Lyra, and Meira,

As you carry your prisoner, you are none too gentle in your handling. You hit his head several times while passing through doorframes and on the wall of the stairs. You eventually arrive in the dining room with Big Al, Lyra, and Eldrin. Meira right behind you. You flop the orc down upon the floor with thud. This is the first time the orc begins to stir. He squirms some and you see his face scrunch up as if in pain from a nasty headache. Big Al walks over to the orc and grimaces. "It's a good thing you checked upstairs. Thanks for not killing this one inside. I already have a big mess to deal with." He gestures to the house around you. "Take em outside and get rid of em." Looking past to Meira, Big Al says, "Ah, good. You found my stash. Please take it with my thanks. I appreciate what you've done here for me."

Eldrin sets his half-full glass of wine on the table as he watches the events. "Please excuse me. I'm going to begin helping clean up a bit. I'll leave our prisoner to Zephyros' capable hands." The elven wizard walks back into the kitchen, summons his mage hand, and starts cleaning the place up without lifting a real finger.

Lyra turns back to see her friends enter the kitchen, smiling as she does. But the halfling's smile vanishes as soon as she notices the orc they are carrying, and she immediately jolts to her feet.

She relaxes slightly when she notices the he's no immediate threat. But then Big Al tells them to get rid of the orc outside, and she first jerks her head toward him, then back to Zephyros and Meira.

"Oh, hells," she thinks, a knot forming in her stomach as she finally realizes what's about to happen.

Zephyros grabs the orc and hefts him back up onto his muscled shoulder. Walking out the door, he finds a tree nearby and secures the orc to it. Seeing the orc regain consciousness, he threatens the orc with the points of his trident, lifting the orcs face by the chin.

"Why are you orcs attacking innocents? Where is your main camp? Why have you come into our area? Speak, or you and my trident will become closer acquainted!"

• Soh: 7
• Intimidation: 5
• Insight: 23

Meira had gathered up the items she found, including the blanket, which she folded into a sort of make-shift sling to carry the rest. Hearing Lyra calling out she had responded, "On our way!" She had though neglected to mention the orc that Zephyros was carrying.  

When Big Al mentions the stash, she nods. "Yes, I did find it. I just used the blanket to carry stuff down. I wasn't sure you wanted us to have that too or not. But glad to leave it for you."  She grins, "That sounded bad. You of course may keep any of it if you wish. But we are grateful for anything you might provide."  

As Zephyros again picks up the orc, she notes Lyra's reaction. As they head out, she moves to walk right beside her, resting her hand softly on her shoulder. "Let's just see what happens," she says in a quiet voice. "I know there's already been a lot of violence today. Maybe, just maybe, we can figure out a different solution."  

Outside she steps away from Lyra and helps Zephyros tie the orc to the tree. (Sleight of Hand: 16) She then moves around to stand just to Zephyros' side and letting him speak to the orc first. "He is quite serious," she adds in a somewhat more friendly tone. "We're just trying to understand. We seem to run into orcs everywhere. Why are you now raiding all of these lands?" (Persuasion: 11) 

Taking the orc outside, you find a tree just south of the outhouse and secure him to it. Meira watches Zephyros attempt a knot and, without shaming the warrior, improves it and is confident the orc is now secured.

The orc looks at Zephyros as the point of a trident lifts his chin—the tip drawing a small amount of blood in the process. The orc looks dirty, miserable, and one tusk is missing. Wearing patchwork hide armor, the orc begins to snarl. However, Meira tries a softer tact. Resistance seems to drain from the orc as his shoulders slump and he responds in common, "A white dragon chased us out of our mountain home, killing many in the process. When we returned to the lowlands, we found the people here soft and weak—easy pickings, with lots of food and drink." The orc seems to think briefly, eyes darting between Zephyros and Meira before continuing, "Our new home isn't far. An old shine, I think. Just south of an abandoned town, but to go there would be your death. Let me go, and I will give my people a message if you wish." 

Zephyros,

Lyra looks up to Meira. The halfling looks unsure, but despite that, she wants to believe. "Okay....", it is her reply.

When the rogue leaves her side, the cleric shifts her weight from one foot to the other. Should she follow them outside? She could perfectly stay in the house and not witness that at all. Help Eldrin and Big Al inside the house. But what good that would make? Will it make the orc simply go away, as if he'd never be there to begin with? Will it make her a coward? Or care less? Should she even try to care less? Isn't caring one of her strenghts, precisely? 

It takes her a long moment, but Lyra ends up deciding that staying away from reality won't simply make reality go away. So, even if she still feels that knot in her somatch, she steps outside, standing a bit behind Zephyros and Meira. When she arrives they've already tied the orc and have began questioning him.

When the orc finally answers, Lyra nervously twists a few strands of her side braid around her fingers. Then, shyly, she asks her companions, "But… but… wouldn't that be bad for us? That they know we are coming?"

 The orc sits there, bound to the tree, awaiting your decision.

"An old shrine," Meira remarks. "Likely the spot the rat folk spoke about."

She hears Lyra's remark, taking a moment to think over her response. "The dragon chased you here? I hate to tell you, we saw the dragon not very far from here. It will probably find your new home too."

Meira then glances at Zephyros. "You think going to the old shrine would be our death?" 

She then focuses back on the orc. "As much as you thought the people here were soft, while you were passed out all of your fellows that came here with you were slaughtered. Your people's time is going to run out. Either from the dragon or folks like us. My friend is right. It feels like sending you home with that message is only going to warn your people and make our path harder when we do come to hold them to account. So why should we just let you go with a message? Would you convince your brethren to stop attacking people?"

The orc looks at Meira as he says, "They died honorably in battle, a good death. I can tell my people what happened here and what you say concerning the dragon. They may wish to move on to other lands. Lands outside of the dragon's influence. I've been captured and disgraced. I can convince them of nothing."

He looks back to Zephyros and adds, "If you won't release me, at least give me a warrior's death. Let me fight you."