When you look closer, you realize that the red painted symbols on the orcs faces look more like "X"s than crosses. You also notice the same symbol painted on the hands of a few of the orcs as well. It's not a symbol that you've seen before, but given the description and what you've heard about orcs in the area from Braida, Aelar and your other recent forest hosts, you're pretty certain that these are the Red Claws that they were referring to; and the same ones that are supposedly being led by the supposed leader named Grumbar.
You watch for a short while more while the two orcs keep arguing, but it's hard to tell if the others in the tribe appear to be allying with Grumbar, who seems to want to follow the wyrm, or the younger orc, who is in favor of trying to defeat the dragon. The other orcs watch the argument, grunting or spitting in response to each side's opinion.
Does it seem like more orcs are grunting in support of Draconic servitude or in opposition? And do they have traveling equipment with them? Do they seem to be living here for the moment? Are they obviously just passing through? Lumen is getting ready to speak up suddenly - can he find a perch? On top of a fallen tree, on a rock, in a hollow which affords an easy escape?
It’s hard to tell which way the tribe members are breaking. You just can’t seem to determine who has more support: the tribe leader or the younger challenger.
It does look as if they’re on the move, and not in a long term camp. And yes, there are definitely perches or places of prominence like those that you mentioned. Stealth check if you want to try and reach one without being seen.
Assuming he does, and even if he fails his check, he'll make a rhythmic patter of slaps on his chest, patterned after a war cry his former brethren used in battle. He's leaning, confidently, laconically, giving the impression he's at total ease. Amused at what he sees before him.
Then, in Orcish:
"Oi! Are the mighty Red Claws really thinking of bowing to a $*@^-ed up wyrm? Fetching treasure for it? Being domesticated? Being used by whatever's using it? When they could be seeking glory and power? My hearing can't be that bad."He laughs with some contempt at the largest Duskbringer proponents.
The rest of you watch as Lumen slips into the trees towards the orc camp, and then after a brief period, you hear his unmistakable charismatic voice resounding from somewhere at the edge of the camp. He’s speaking in his native tongue, so you cannot understand what he’s saying.
Lumen
You manage to sneak into the edge of the camp and climb unseen up onto the long trunk of a fallen cottonwood tree before staying your proclamation.
The group of orcs look over at you, stunned at the interruption. A few of them shout out, mostly in surprise, but they clearly defer to their chief, who turns away from the argument he’s having with the challenger and says,
“Who be you, intruder, and what know you about dragons...? Better yet, what place you have spying on us and speaking to one who is chief with such an antagonizing decree? Why you here with warnings of business not your own, half one, not full blood?”
Nym's teeth chewed at a chapped piece of skin on her lips as she stared intently with a mild wince in their friend's direction. It was odd to recognize Lumen's voice speaking an unrecognizable language that she could only assume to be orcish. Judging from the other's expressions they were just as out of the loop as she was. Glancing at Chrys at her worried mutter the cleric could only nod, finger touching her holy symbol.
"I have seen the dragon,"Lumen says. "It's lame. Hurt. Ripe to be slain. Not to be followed. Not to cow the Red Claws. I was just passing through and overheard this discussion. And thought to offer a suggestion. Don't follow it. Fight it, or fight something else. Don't serve it."
A murmur of surprise erupts from within the group, and the young female challenger shouts, "The omens I have seen were right!! This pitiful wyrm is not worth our energy, and allying with it would anger our gods with insult. We should listen to this stranger, for the gods have given us a sign!"
The tribe leader quickly hushes the group with a shout and raised fist. He looks at Lumen and says, "We have seen the dragon too, half one, and we would be glad to feed you to it for your insults. The dragon has killed the elves, and so it is already our ally. Standing behind its claws and deadly breath would give us much needed strength after our battle with the pitiful elves."
"And what are you doing passing alone in this forest? Who are you, half one?"
(Right now, the chief and most of the other orcs are about 50 feet away from you.)
"I am Lumen, and yes I am half. But the part of me that is orc is all orc. If you ally with this dragon, you would soon be less than orc. The city the dragon calls home is thick with rot. Lycanthropy. You know what that is. Corrupts the strong, the pure. You saw the dragon? It's fighting off something, perhaps some infection. Those orcs who hide behind its claws and breath might not be orcs for long. And then what are you? You there, what are you called? Your omens are right. Working under this dragon would anger the gods."
As he talks about the infection, he casts prestidigitation to create a foul odor to sweep through the crowd.
Yes the orcs are wearing armor: Hide armor for the regular members of the tribe, and the chief is wearing a suit of ring mail.
The tribe members recoil a bit at the foul odor that you send into he crowd, and they also seem a little shaken by the talk of infection and lycanthropy. Again, the female challenger uses this to reaffirm her case to turn away and not ally with the dragon, while the chief does his best to quell any dissent and keep his orcs in line. Watching the response of the rest of the orcs, it would start to seem that most, if not all, seem to back him over the challenger, and when the chief speaks, they rally behind him.
"Lumen half one, you know nothing about our gods, one who is not pure, and you talk of things that might frighten lesser orcs, but we are Red Claw orcs. We do not cower at tales of sickness. We are strong and have fortitude given to us by the gods, so we worry not about being infected by lycanthropes that will easily fall under our axes."
"I will look past your uninvited interruption and let you walk free away from us, but you will not sway us from finding and pledging our allegiance to a mighty dragon that will give us power like no other orc band in the north."
"I will hear no more of your mischievous tongue, Lumen. Go, or you will see the full wrath and strength of Grumbar and his loyal warband"
Lumen smiles sadly at the group. "I wish you all wisdom to know the right path, and the courage to take it, even when it might be hard."
He causes a shower of sparks starting right where he is and shooting 10-15 feet to the right of him, to draw eyes, and immediately casts invisibility on himself. He then slowly moves to the left, and back away from the group, and toward his party, which is hopefully away from where the orcs think he went.
One by one, each member of the party hears Lumen-like footsteps and then a quiet whisper, "it's me, it's okay, not immediately dangerous, but let's move along slowly and quietly. I'll guard the rear..."
ChrS lifts her eyebrow, but nods at Lumen slightly, trusting that the half-orc has his reasons. She turns ro move out, wincing a bit as she tries to step lightly.
If Lumen can, depending on placement, he'll try to help usher Chrys and the other members of his party who aren't so sneaky away, and then become visible in their place as they make their getaway down the path, and provide an ostensible reason for the noise should orcs come to investigate/observe. Not sure how sequence of events/timing works out here...
Lumen's distraction with the sparks seems to work, and he hears a few gasps from the orcs as they witness the effects of his prestidigitation right before he disappears from sight. He's able to slink away unnoticed and make it back to his friends with no problems.
Even though Chrys and Nym are a little clanky as you all turn and begin to move on, you're at least 100 feet away from the orcs and out of sight on the other side of the stand of cottonwood trees. Plus, after Lumen's disappearance, they're back to arguing and so your noisy escape goes unnoticed as you continue to move up the river bank.
As you leave, Lumen hears the following:
Lumen hears Grumbar shouting and addressing his band.
"We worry not about the intruder, for he is clearly some kind of shaman, no doubt sent by the gods to test our loyalty. No more delays, it is decided. We march to the elves' keep to pledge our allegiance to the mighty dragon who will change our fortunes and help bring us glory!" Now move out, Red Claws!!"
Chrys sighs, upon learning the full story. "Damn... I knew that Grumbar was bad news. But it sounds like he's got a shaman on his side that ain't happy with his fool plan. Ya think maybe there's a way we can still sway her ta join us? 'Cause they're on the move. That means we either end 'em now 'fore we have to fight a dragon *and* them Red Claws, or we find a way ta use their proposition to join Duskbringer as that distraction we needed ta get them kids out."
She pauses. "I'm kinda hopin' ol' Dusky there's too mad ta take any help an' will blast the Claws for us. But I ain't happy leavin' things ta chance. I'd rather make them ill omens be real ones by thinnin' there numbers on the way in. Also, the less members they got in their party, the less they're gonna impress anybody, no less a mad dragon." She rubs her chin. "I ain't real big on traps or midnight ambushes, but I think it's our best bet... better than chargin' 'em head on, leastwise."
After Lumen fills you in with the details of his interaction with Grumbar and his small orc tribe, you all hustle and continue to push south along the river bank. As you move, you can hear Grumbar shout something, which Lumen tells you is the signal to move out. You figure that you were able to get a few minute head start, but even so, you know that given the somewhat open ground of bank, if you didn't want to be seen, you would have to move at least partway into the woods and move under the cover of the sparse cottonwood forest that grows alongside the river.
DM:
Does Lumen recognize what this tribe is? Those red crosses mean anything to him?
Insight: 17
Lumen
When you look closer, you realize that the red painted symbols on the orcs faces look more like "X"s than crosses. You also notice the same symbol painted on the hands of a few of the orcs as well. It's not a symbol that you've seen before, but given the description and what you've heard about orcs in the area from Braida, Aelar and your other recent forest hosts, you're pretty certain that these are the Red Claws that they were referring to; and the same ones that are supposedly being led by the supposed leader named Grumbar.
You watch for a short while more while the two orcs keep arguing, but it's hard to tell if the others in the tribe appear to be allying with Grumbar, who seems to want to follow the wyrm, or the younger orc, who is in favor of trying to defeat the dragon. The other orcs watch the argument, grunting or spitting in response to each side's opinion.
DM:
Does it seem like more orcs are grunting in support of Draconic servitude or in opposition? And do they have traveling equipment with them? Do they seem to be living here for the moment? Are they obviously just passing through? Lumen is getting ready to speak up suddenly - can he find a perch? On top of a fallen tree, on a rock, in a hollow which affords an easy escape?
Lumen
It’s hard to tell which way the tribe members are breaking. You just can’t seem to determine who has more support: the tribe leader or the younger challenger.
It does look as if they’re on the move, and not in a long term camp. And yes, there are definitely perches or places of prominence like those that you mentioned. Stealth check if you want to try and reach one without being seen.
DM:
Lumen does so. Stealth: 13
Assuming he does, and even if he fails his check, he'll make a rhythmic patter of slaps on his chest, patterned after a war cry his former brethren used in battle. He's leaning, confidently, laconically, giving the impression he's at total ease. Amused at what he sees before him.
Then, in Orcish:
"Oi! Are the mighty Red Claws really thinking of bowing to a $*@^-ed up wyrm? Fetching treasure for it? Being domesticated? Being used by whatever's using it? When they could be seeking glory and power? My hearing can't be that bad." He laughs with some contempt at the largest Duskbringer proponents.
Deception: 24
Persuasion: 19
The rest of you watch as Lumen slips into the trees towards the orc camp, and then after a brief period, you hear his unmistakable charismatic voice resounding from somewhere at the edge of the camp. He’s speaking in his native tongue, so you cannot understand what he’s saying.
Lumen
You manage to sneak into the edge of the camp and climb unseen up onto the long trunk of a fallen cottonwood tree before staying your proclamation.
The group of orcs look over at you, stunned at the interruption. A few of them shout out, mostly in surprise, but they clearly defer to their chief, who turns away from the argument he’s having with the challenger and says,
“Who be you, intruder, and what know you about dragons...? Better yet, what place you have spying on us and speaking to one who is chief with such an antagonizing decree? Why you here with warnings of business not your own, half one, not full blood?”
"I hope he knows what he's doin'," Chrys mutters lowly under her breath, sweating nervously.
Nym's teeth chewed at a chapped piece of skin on her lips as she stared intently with a mild wince in their friend's direction. It was odd to recognize Lumen's voice speaking an unrecognizable language that she could only assume to be orcish. Judging from the other's expressions they were just as out of the loop as she was. Glancing at Chrys at her worried mutter the cleric could only nod, finger touching her holy symbol.
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
DM:
"I have seen the dragon," Lumen says. "It's lame. Hurt. Ripe to be slain. Not to be followed. Not to cow the Red Claws. I was just passing through and overheard this discussion. And thought to offer a suggestion. Don't follow it. Fight it, or fight something else. Don't serve it."
Is the orc chief within 30 feet of Lumen?
Lumen
A murmur of surprise erupts from within the group, and the young female challenger shouts, "The omens I have seen were right!! This pitiful wyrm is not worth our energy, and allying with it would anger our gods with insult. We should listen to this stranger, for the gods have given us a sign!"
The tribe leader quickly hushes the group with a shout and raised fist. He looks at Lumen and says, "We have seen the dragon too, half one, and we would be glad to feed you to it for your insults. The dragon has killed the elves, and so it is already our ally. Standing behind its claws and deadly breath would give us much needed strength after our battle with the pitiful elves."
"And what are you doing passing alone in this forest? Who are you, half one?"
(Right now, the chief and most of the other orcs are about 50 feet away from you.)
DM:
"I am Lumen, and yes I am half. But the part of me that is orc is all orc. If you ally with this dragon, you would soon be less than orc. The city the dragon calls home is thick with rot. Lycanthropy. You know what that is. Corrupts the strong, the pure. You saw the dragon? It's fighting off something, perhaps some infection. Those orcs who hide behind its claws and breath might not be orcs for long. And then what are you? You there, what are you called? Your omens are right. Working under this dragon would anger the gods."
As he talks about the infection, he casts prestidigitation to create a foul odor to sweep through the crowd.
Are the orcs wearing armor?
Lumen
Yes the orcs are wearing armor: Hide armor for the regular members of the tribe, and the chief is wearing a suit of ring mail.
The tribe members recoil a bit at the foul odor that you send into he crowd, and they also seem a little shaken by the talk of infection and lycanthropy. Again, the female challenger uses this to reaffirm her case to turn away and not ally with the dragon, while the chief does his best to quell any dissent and keep his orcs in line. Watching the response of the rest of the orcs, it would start to seem that most, if not all, seem to back him over the challenger, and when the chief speaks, they rally behind him.
"Lumen half one, you know nothing about our gods, one who is not pure, and you talk of things that might frighten lesser orcs, but we are Red Claw orcs. We do not cower at tales of sickness. We are strong and have fortitude given to us by the gods, so we worry not about being infected by lycanthropes that will easily fall under our axes."
"I will look past your uninvited interruption and let you walk free away from us, but you will not sway us from finding and pledging our allegiance to a mighty dragon that will give us power like no other orc band in the north."
"I will hear no more of your mischievous tongue, Lumen. Go, or you will see the full wrath and strength of Grumbar and his loyal warband"
DM:
Lumen smiles sadly at the group. "I wish you all wisdom to know the right path, and the courage to take it, even when it might be hard."
He causes a shower of sparks starting right where he is and shooting 10-15 feet to the right of him, to draw eyes, and immediately casts invisibility on himself. He then slowly moves to the left, and back away from the group, and toward his party, which is hopefully away from where the orcs think he went.
One by one, each member of the party hears Lumen-like footsteps and then a quiet whisper, "it's me, it's okay, not immediately dangerous, but let's move along slowly and quietly. I'll guard the rear..."
ChrS lifts her eyebrow, but nods at Lumen slightly, trusting that the half-orc has his reasons. She turns ro move out, wincing a bit as she tries to step lightly.
Stealth 3, sorry man
If Lumen can, depending on placement, he'll try to help usher Chrys and the other members of his party who aren't so sneaky away, and then become visible in their place as they make their getaway down the path, and provide an ostensible reason for the noise should orcs come to investigate/observe. Not sure how sequence of events/timing works out here...
Stealth: 4
(Rolled on character sheet since at work. Oofies bro xD )
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Lumen's distraction with the sparks seems to work, and he hears a few gasps from the orcs as they witness the effects of his prestidigitation right before he disappears from sight. He's able to slink away unnoticed and make it back to his friends with no problems.
Even though Chrys and Nym are a little clanky as you all turn and begin to move on, you're at least 100 feet away from the orcs and out of sight on the other side of the stand of cottonwood trees. Plus, after Lumen's disappearance, they're back to arguing and so your noisy escape goes unnoticed as you continue to move up the river bank.
As you leave, Lumen hears the following:
Lumen hears Grumbar shouting and addressing his band.
"We worry not about the intruder, for he is clearly some kind of shaman, no doubt sent by the gods to test our loyalty. No more delays, it is decided. We march to the elves' keep to pledge our allegiance to the mighty dragon who will change our fortunes and help bring us glory!" Now move out, Red Claws!!"
Lumen updates the group on what he heard and what he said (feel free to go read spoilers!). He pushes the group to move fast, ahead of the orcs.
Chrys sighs, upon learning the full story. "Damn... I knew that Grumbar was bad news. But it sounds like he's got a shaman on his side that ain't happy with his fool plan. Ya think maybe there's a way we can still sway her ta join us? 'Cause they're on the move. That means we either end 'em now 'fore we have to fight a dragon *and* them Red Claws, or we find a way ta use their proposition to join Duskbringer as that distraction we needed ta get them kids out."
She pauses. "I'm kinda hopin' ol' Dusky there's too mad ta take any help an' will blast the Claws for us. But I ain't happy leavin' things ta chance. I'd rather make them ill omens be real ones by thinnin' there numbers on the way in. Also, the less members they got in their party, the less they're gonna impress anybody, no less a mad dragon." She rubs her chin. "I ain't real big on traps or midnight ambushes, but I think it's our best bet... better than chargin' 'em head on, leastwise."
After Lumen fills you in with the details of his interaction with Grumbar and his small orc tribe, you all hustle and continue to push south along the river bank. As you move, you can hear Grumbar shout something, which Lumen tells you is the signal to move out. You figure that you were able to get a few minute head start, but even so, you know that given the somewhat open ground of bank, if you didn't want to be seen, you would have to move at least partway into the woods and move under the cover of the sparse cottonwood forest that grows alongside the river.