Rose actively tries to stop Cirrus and Burge, shouting STOP! This one is mine! If they stop their actions she turns to the Orc and accepts his challenge, readying herself for the Orc to go first and preparing to dodge any incoming attack (assuming she has actions left to do so).

If she is unable to stop the others from attacking the Orc she simply sighs and let's them handle it, refusing to take part in what has clearly become something dishonorable. If they kill the Orc she would simply prepare to move out without saying word and with a sour look on her face.

Cirrus will respect Rose’s wishes, stopping after running a few steps to the orc. He will then back off, but he will put away his rapier and his pipes, and will level a crossbow at the orc, just in case.

Burgee looks over his shoulder at Rose and at the last minute calms himself. Failing to release the lightning. He smiles at Rose. "My apologies. He's all yours."

The orc seemed to brace for the hits, that ultimately never came. It didn't brace out of fear, but reflex. When the attacks didn't come, it buried the axehead into the ground, clapped its hands together, and knealt, to draw blood from two of its brethren, and drew lines across its face. It took him a moment, but by the time he was done, there was a simple pattern -likely his tribes insignia- there, in the blood of his brothers.

Finally picking up his axe, he grunts, saying Good. Fight with honor. Die with honor. Okrah! Beatign the axe against his chest once more before taking a ready stance.

(Both actions will take place simultaneously, regardless of fatal damage)

The orc rushes forward, much lest savagely that before. it seemed it was respecting Rose for Respecting it, and the other three slightly less... as they had almost just attacked.

Raising the axe to the side, it goes for a wide-crescent arc downward.

Attack: 11 Damage: 15

The orge fell after going stiff for a moment. A heavy, thunderous thud echoing through the area from the weight of the beast. It took the dwarf a moment to realize the creature had truly fallen, but after checking the corpse, and finding naught but his family jewels, and perhaps his weapon on its person, eventually he moved on, with Yue in tow, still in haste. 

The sound of battle wasn't too far off in the distance, two thunderous booms, almost directly after eachother. Hearing this, and heading that way, the dwarf eventually manages to come upon a battle nearly over. The bodies of several orcs lay strewn about, and he catches a glimpse of a large axe slamming into the ground where a Halfling had just been, rending a deep gash in the earth.

Knowing full well the effects of his poison, Malman doesn't leave without bashing the Ogre's skull in for good measure. Gruesome work, but necessary. And so it was with a magic staff wet with blood and covered in a few bone chips that Yue and the dwarf took off. And while he had half a mind to transform into a faster form to make up the distance, a spell is instead conjured from the staff in preparation once more in hopefully evading any future trouble.

When he does finally reach the sight of battle, he almost raced forward on the back of some battlecry, ready to defend what he expected to be Paavu's friends... But something was off about the scenario. So, he took a moment, gradually lowering the staff he had started to raise high to better be noticed, and squinted at the conflict.

Insight: 18.

No matter what insight comes to mind, his pausing to get a better read of the situation would delay him. For now.

Rose nodded in thanks to the others, despite her fears she still believed in being honorable. She waits patiently for the orc to attack and when he does she raised her sheild to protect her from the blow. As soon as she hears the think of metal against metal Rose swings her hammer in a wide arc aiming for the Orcs knees. Attack: 17 Damage: 9

Much like a samurai strike, both opponents cross each others paths, the orcs attack missing, though it does leave one hell of a reavers carve in the ground, as he collapses, one knee buckling backwards before his body falls limply to the ground. The orcs bodies bloody and broken. A cursory search of their bodies, reveals they have no food on their person, there are however, six greataxes, some rugged leather clothing with fur-inlining for warmth. and a total of 7 gold on their persons between all of them. Several leather pelts, that looked freshly skinned but dry. And a single salt shaker between them, half used.

And Gwens spine tingles, as she feels the party being watched. Shouting Whoever you are, you can come out. I know you're there!

Cirrus will whip around since he's still holding the crossbow and try to see what Gwen is talking about. perception: (15)

Rose sighs as the orc falls, perhaps a bit too easily,.but the deed was done and that was all that mattered. Rose let the others loot the fallen, just looking forward to moving on when Gwen calls out. Drawing her hammer again Rose looks around, using her superior dark vision to try and find whatever thought it could hide from the light. 

Perception 23

(Just for flavor - Malman's: Stealth: 24 , Yue's: 15.)

For just a moment, the more mischievous side of Malman teased the idea of saying nothing. For if nothing else, he might learn if the elf was simply paranoid, or more sharp-eared than most rumors said they can be. But then a solemn thought crossed his mind and elicited a tired sigh. With a motion of the head, Yue is the first to stand up from the snow bank and pad her way over to the group. Although to the group, it would almost appear as if she emerged from the snow having been physically apart of it. 

"Hn. Paavu kept sharp company." Malman called out before he too rose from the snow bank, and strode into view. What is seen is a fairly small dwarf, dark mocha in complexion, and bearing kindly, brown eyes. In spite of this exceptionally squat form, thick muscles fully filled out the clothing he wore and almost thensome.
As with most dwarfs a healthy, white beard tends to cover much of his chest and part of abdomen. Apart from a thick set of simple woolen pants, moccasins, and under shirt, he wore over it all a heavy cloak and gloves to keep the chill from seeping to deeply. That, and strapped to the back was a pack fit for travel.
Most notably of all are the deep blue pattern shaped into the skull of some predator either painted or tattooed on his face, and the bits of woven vines and leaves laced in place about the beard. Somehow they still retain their vitality regardless of conditions.

If ever threatened, he would stop... but not before at least getting within easy talking distance. If that meant taking a shot, then so be it. Though even in success, he kept on quietly marching -- perhaps giving a grunt of discomfort for the shot, but determined to make the trip. Only a full on spell would give him pause, if albeit at the cost of kindly eyes narrowing in mild disapproval.

Regardless, he eventually puts a hand on his chest and says, "Malman of Clan Mosshammer. Ancestral ally of Clan Rockseeker. And... Friend of Paavu "StoneHeart" Moonmire. And you three.. five.." He gestures to all present. "Friend as well, according to Yue."

(RP)

Cirrus does not fire, he puts away his crossbow and converses with the dwarf, "well... hello, Malman? It's clear you know he is no longer with us, considering Yue is here. And it speaks volumes about your character if she was willing to accompany you and not any of us. If I had to guess how you found us I might guess you followed Yue's nose? Seems a little far-fetched to me, as we have traveled quite a distance from his body. The question is, how did you find Yue? Was she among that great ice wolf's pack?"

(assuming he says he found her by Paavu's corpse and some other stuff)

"Okay then. How did you happen upon Paavu's body? By sheer coincidence you were wandering in a cave to find the emaciated body of one of your friends? Did you receive divine guidance that brought you to him? Now that you have performed the customary ritual on his body, what brought you to seek us out?"

(allowing RP to continue)

Malman squints at Cirrus. Not in clear anger or annoyance, but moreso confusion. As if it takes him a few moments more than most to fully digest words past a certain point. When he does finally 'catch up' with Cirrus, he shakes his head slowly to the sides. "Wolf pack never reach. Pack foolish.. or too weak. Fell to Ogre of all creatures." He admitted before shaking his head and clicking his tongue. "Yue helped though. But also decent tracker, I am. But not fast one. Not enough to save friend." He frowned, and looked to the ground for a moment, all but admitting outright to having found Paavu.

"... Many things guided Malman. Could not say it was all 'divine'... not in same sense as you may know it to be. But... trusted they were, and so I followed. And so I help, if not by duty to ally of Clan Mosshammer, than to ensure old friend's last mission is seen to its end... Now that they cannot." He finally adds haltingly, clearly uncomfortable with speaking in general so much.

Rose looks to Yue who seems to be in good health and seems to be trusting the stranger. Putting away her weapon she approaches the newcomer. Well if Yue trusts you then I do too, I'm just curious as to what you're looking for here? Rose gives the dwarf a good looking over, looking to see if she can see Selûnes aura around him.

Burgee eyes the dwarf cautiously, but then seeing Yue, he realizes there must be some connection back to Paavu so he shrugs and approaches. He listens carefully as the others ask questions, trying his best to discern the dwarfs true nature. His sense is the dwarf had a very strong bond with Paavu, how else would Yue have left her masters side. She didn't even trust anyone else in the party that well. So this must indeed be a friend with some bond that Yue could sense. "Welcome Malman. If she trusts you," he nods toward Yue, "then I think you'll find us as friends.  How do you know Paavu? And why were you searching for him in the first place?"

Yue nuzzles up beside Rose, missing the familiarity of the pack even after only being a day apart from them. At least it would explain her hovering close, and keeping a closer eye on the group's surroundings. For no stupid batsquiotos were taking another from her!

In both Rose and Burgee's case, at the very least they see the Dwarf had been an open book with them. Uncomfortable with talking so much, but honest in his stance. When Rose asks he question, he shook his head to the side, before then frowning in consternation. As if trying to work out the wording of things until Burgee asked his question as well. "Know Paavu from way back. Back when still but a cub, fighting in arenas in Calimshan. Far, far to south. Fighting alongside brother goliath... Before he was made to earn nickname "Stoneheart"." Malman spit off to the side, and shook his head again.

"Was rival for time in arena. Helped Paavu and others escape as well. Before needing to get back to own roots. To learn in place further south and across the ocean itself." Malman shudders. "Not much care for water, we dwarfs. Sink like stone most times. But there I trained. There I would've stayed for hundred years more. Until visions came, urging me northward. Urging me to find friend." He smiles and gets this distant look on his face. "When the world speaks in such way, you listen, or you regret. I... have had enough of regrets. And despite what awaited, glad I came. To fulfill old ties." He reminds, having already spoken of a connection to Gundren and Paavu. Likely it was Gundren had even pointed him to Thundertree before he began tracking the group in earnest.

Not that anyone of the group had been trying all that hard to hide the trail; scent or otherwise.

Rose smiles and pets Yew, relieved to see she was alright. It's good to have you back girl. She says before turning back to address Mal. Well I'm glad you showed up when you did, kept Yew safe. I was worried about her. Unfortunately though we don't have time to stand around. We need to keep pushing forward, every moment we waste could have dire consequences. What is your plan from here Malman? Are you returning now that you've seen Paavu, or are you planning to finish what he started?

"If that is what you wish, Malman, then you are free to aid us in our mission. I don't know if you care for gold, but we could probably convince Gundren to give part of our reward to you, since he was probably planning out a share for Paavu." 

"Allow me to catch you up to speed if you are unaware: Gundren Rockseeker is trying to fulfill a dream of his, and he needs a particular item, a map, to do so. That map was stolen by an agent of a nefarious, scheming spell caster known only as The Black Spider. Any plans the Black Spider has are sinister, of that, there can be no doubt. This individual here," he gestures to Genome, "Genome, was hired by the Black Spider to, shall we say, permanently impede our mission to stop the Spider. Now he is instead showing us the way to the Spider's location. Bear in mind he is not doing this out of repentance for past misdeeds, rather it is because the Spider is far more likely to kill him than we are."

"While I don't doubt your dedication to fulfilling the task to honor Paavu, I will warn you that we haven't even encountered the Spider and have had near death experiences from undead hordes, orcs, goblinoids, a dragon, and some unusually violent shrubbery. If you think you're up for dangers such as that," Cirrus says, not knowing Malaman singlehandedly killed the troll they were all too scared to fight as a group. "then I think I speak for everyone when I say we would be more than willing to have you among our company."

As the group opens up to Malman and he in turn seems to relax, Burgee leans in towards the dwarf as Cirrus accounts the quest. He nods toward Genome as he whispers to Malman, "Keep an eye on that one. We gave our word not to harm her, but she's not yet earned my trust. Should have let Paavu end her." He thought back to the scene and shook his head. But still, they did need her, or so it seemed.