Dragon of Icespire Peak ***CLOSED***

Connak stands beside Barric, his back to Tabesha'l and whispers into his hear, "Don't you find her ego large enough?  Stoke it some more and she may challenge the entire orc horde to a battle to the death in the village square.  And drag us along with her."

Vaxis chuckles a bit.

"This may be true, but she, as well as the rest of our company here, have proven themselves to be honorable combatants. I will follow you all whatever we decide, but I do recommend haste in this matter...I hate to think what reinforcement damage can do."

As the party debates their next move, Connak's eye catches the silhouette of a muscular humanoid striding towards them through a lingering pocket of fog at the edge of the Conyberry ruins. As the form clears the precipitation, Connak immediately recognizes the facial features, muscular build and generally intimidating visage possessed by those of orcish heritage. As the stranger approaches purposefully closer, it is apparent that he is likely half-orcish rather than the full-blooded variety - a slightly better circumstance since it seems a verbal exchange is about to take place.

Minsys, a tall, muscular half-orc with long hair and scar running over his left eye leaving it almost a milky color, approaches.  He stops a good 20 feet from the others.  He stares at them, spits it the side and says, "Got food?"

Tabesha'l's eyes widen slightly in a mixture of surprise and curiosity: " Oh, my. 'Tis an unexpected development we have here..." she whispers half to herself, taking position behind the reassuringly large shape of Vaxis while she gets ready to intervene with a spell, should the encounter turn sour.

** Steps 10 feet behind Vaxis and slightly to the left to have an open line of sight towards this half-orc, in case he gets agressive. She will NOT start casting yet, so as not to alarm the stranger, or rush him into any sudden moves. **

Connak doesn't answer, and he is obviously and clearly searching the surroundings looking for hidden 'backup'.

After a few tense moments of awkward silence, Connak is reassured that the half-orc is indeed alone. A scan of the treeline reveals no hidden snipers or the rest of an ambush party. The wood elf's finely tuned intuition leads him to believe that despite the traveler's rugged appearance, he is being genuine in his request for something to eat.

Connak squints at the half-orc.  He points his thumb over his shoulder, saying, "There's a farm that way.  Help us clear out the riff-raff, and you can eat whatever you find."

Minsys stares at Connak for a long moment.  "What is raff raff.  Does it have teeth or claw?  Magic?" he asks not moving forward, just fixing the group with a hard stare.

Connak grunts, dejected, and speaks slooowly, "Teeeth, claaawws, weappppoooonns."

"The raff raff the farmers or they kill the farmers?" he asks trying to find the justification to the proposed course of action.

Connak plays along, "Kills farmers."

Minsys gives a curt nod and begins approaching the group again.  He finds himself a spot near the fire, sets his pack down, lets his maul fall head first into the ground with a dull thud and then sits.  "I'll help kill this raff raff but little food now, rest after job.  Agree." he says.  The last coming out more of a statement than a question.

"I'll try to catch something for you."  Connak goes out to try and forage something for the half orc.  Anything.  Rats, bats, racoons, skunks, whatever.  

Survival: 18

Connak needs but a few minutes to track a badger gorging himself on the succulent clover petals growing at the edge of the Neverwinter Wood.

To the northeast, the party can see a column of black smoke that has begun rising into the air, distinct from the surrounding atmosphere, in the direction of Kalazorn's ranch.

Connak throws the dead badger in front of Minsys.  "Eat fast, looks like the riff-raff are causing trouble.  We need to get going and take care of it."

Tabesha'l takes a little while to observe the stranger then cautiously approaches: "Mayhaps it would be more convenient to our guest to keep this princely fare of a meal for a further occasion..." she says to Connak while giving a concerned look tinged with a little sadness to the bloodied badger carcass. "... I, for one, would be willing to part with some of my traveling rations, so as to speed up our new partner's meal."

Then, turning towards the newcomer: " I am so sorry, methinks I failed to catch thy name... ? I am Tabesha'l, from the House of Pananthyr. Pleased to make thy acquaintance. These here are my traveling companions, namely dashingThuniviel - who for some reason insists on being adressed by the human name of 'Connak', so please do humor him, as he can be the grumpy sort - the valiant Vaxis, a true Paladin of the Dragon God Bahamut, fair Ando Fain from the Yonder Woodlands, brave Barric... say, where is Vadernul ? Did anyone see him ?" She gives a concerned look around, before shrugging and returning her attention to their guest. " How quaint, I never even saw him leave. Oh, never mind this for now. He shall appear presently, I am quite sure he hath gone to provide some relief to his... yes... well... anyways : would thee fancy a cup of cold cocoa with thy lunch, friend ?" she asks the hirsute half-orc primly, while pulling out a small pack of victuals, a tumbler and a water jug from inside her pack.

 Mins stared at Tabesha'l and slowly reaches out to take whatever was offered and takes a drink.  "Umm... what?"  He looks at the others.  "Some one needs ta translate.  Only know common and bad common, not" he gestures to her and with a hand motion, "whatever that was."

Connak puts his arm around Minsys, "It's not you.  No one else understands either.  You'll fit right in.  Lets go kill some Orc Riff-Raff as an initiation.  You run in front, I'll cover you from behind."

"Orc?  Oh, Raff Raff must be the orc leader.  I get it now.  No matter, not of my tribe..." he says and then gives a 1000 yard saying, "last of my tribe," then shakes his head.

Turning towards Connak he says, "Don't cover me.  Not if you want me to hit.  Or is covering to make it more challenge? " he asks clearly not understanding the meaning implied.