The explosive action at the camp is over as quickly as it had begun. The orcs that had turned to protect the group, seeing their allies fled..and seeing two of their numbers crushed to death must decide their work protecting the group from the orc attack is done, since they flee into the night along with their allies. 

SinSin comes out of the woods nearby, no one having seen him during the battle. Blood is splattered across his shirt. "There's some Orcs over there out cold if anyone cares." 

Nearly a dozen orcs lay dead around camp after just a few moments, many other dead and yet undiscovered in the darkness nearby, the life force sucked from them by Fianna's opening attack.

Toc takes a few more moments to eye Chen, his hands in his face...and then sheathes his sword and looks to Mirica. His hand on a small charm on his belt, he replies to Mirica, "There is no need to track the orc down. I will have answers shortly."  He seems to concentrate for a few moments.  He seems to almost jump a moment later then raises his eyes and looks about, "It would seem they were sent by their orc commander to test us. Their orders were to kill anyone of easy pickings, but otherwise determine our numbers and make up, identify spell casters, and any formidable warriors. I don't know where their camp is, but there is a platoon of orcs there, around 200 to 250 camped in the woods. I assume we can follow tracks if we desire. One of the orcs is a shaman of...unusual power....he was able to detect my scrying dispel it. The soul I questioned didn't know who commanded their leader or anything beyond this raids orders....but did confirm that there are other orc platoons active in the area." 

Chen's heavy breathing seems to be quieting as he glances about.  Loane pulls one of her arrows out of a dead orc with a lovely 'sucking' noise as it comes free. Mirica is checking everyone's minor wounds but they seem all to be either healed or had been superficial.  One of the horses took a bolt, but she heals it up good as new. Fianna meanwhile seems fairly distracted. 

FinFin flies through the dark trees of the forest. Below him orcs scamper through the woods. Perhaps a mile from camp they stop, many of them gathering below. Two dozen at least. One of them steps forward, barking in Orcish at the others.  They seem to discuss for a few moments, and then the rest turn and lop off into the woods. FinFin follows, a silent shadow moving amidst the top of the trees. It's perhaps 5 miles through the dark forest that FinFin spots dark blotches ahead in the forest. As the orcs near there are shouts. FinFin sees an orc in a tree, crossbow out, but his attention is below on the arriving orcs.  They move into what is obviously a camp, dozens of tents and numerous orcs on guard. The lead one heads straight for a larger tent near the center, while the rest disperse into the camp. 

Toc shrugs, "I see no reason for us to move camp. I would choose to pursue them now. I want to know who is aware of our mission here and why. But I do not need rest the same way some of you do. If any of you are confident we can track them in the morning, then I'm willing to wait until then to go after them. A troop of 250 orcs should be easy to follow." 

"Everyone is fine with seeing in the dark?" Loane asks. "We don't need to be stumbling around in the dark. I could probably track them at any time of the day. As long as there's tracks about, and you say there's over 200 of them, so it shouldn't be hard to find some. We'll want to come up with some sort of plan, however. Even though we're clearly capable," She motions to the remnants of the fight. "such a large band of orcs will not be easy to take out. For a variety of reasons I'm sure you all are aware of. Picking out their leaders, knowing where to strike, the possibility for traps... we have many options at our disposal."

     Fianna will relay to the group what she sees through FinFIn's tracking of the orcs.  She will share the general direction they went but also any significant landmarks they may have passed (rivers, boulders, etc) and describe the camp as best as she can.  "Hopefully that will help with the tracking," she says with a smile.

     FinFIn will remain hidden and watching the Orc camp for now, watching for any significant movement or anything. At least until a plan is developed.

     "I can see well enough in the dark," Fianna will answer Loane. Turning her attention to Toc she'll add "...But I'll have more magics at my disposal if we rested first.  I'm not unarmed now but if we were to take on such a number I think we'd want every weapon we had at our disposal..."

Mirica nodded as well: "I am fine with the darkness, but what would be the point of following that orc's army at all? What is our goal?" She was not going to challenge Toc's decision - after all, she and Fianna (as well as others, as she understand it) were following him. All she wanted is to understand their goal here. "As strong as we are, 250 orcs seems more like a military target, more suited for another army, like the one we were initially heading to, rather than a prey for a handful of adventurers. You heard Fianna - FinFin reported about the camp. We know where it is now and can sic the army on it."

She looked around the spoiled camp, covered with dead bodies. "What about our camp? It won't take long to break the camp, but a horse caravan is not exactly stealthy - nor can they (horses) see in the dark. I would rather save my healing for the group than spent it on horse's broken legs. If this is a vote, I say we might be better off at the morning."

Jahren stays silent while putting on his armor as the Toc and the others debate what to do.  He too is curious to understand the goal of this newly proposed mission, and what to do with the horses.

After having given Chen a moment or two, the half-elf goes and stands right in front of the kneeling dragonborn.  He silently puts a hand out to symbolically help his friend up to his feet again, if he'll accept it.

(...unless he can just keep his mithral on even while sleeping?)

Chen takes Jahren's hand and rises from the ground with a grateful nod. He also bows in thanks to Mirica for the healing. He then turns to the group and briefly apologises for losing his temper, saying he regrets the loss of life no matter who the victims might be. If the choice is to pursue them, he will help however he can, but would prefer to avoid any further loss of life. Also he cannot see effectively in the dark and would prefer to wait until morning before travelling, unless they are happy to use light.

Toc nods, "Very well, if we wish to keep our mounts, we must indeed wait until light. With FinFin watching the orcs we should have warning if they come at us again. Someone or something has taken an interest in us, though who or why I don't know. I wish to know why, but I agree, we are few and attacking a small army to find out may not be the wisest use of our time.  If the group wishes to pursue them, I am ok with it, otherwise resuming our original path may be the prudent choice."

In Fianna's mind she feels the Fey energy around her, a piece has moved. Was it meant to be a sacrifice, a distraction...or something else.

Tic began moving about the camp, dragging orc bodies off a ways into a pile. SinSin quickly joins to help.  A few minutes later the camp is relatively corpse free.  Everyone can tell that each of their companions are experienced with battle....there are no jittery hands or deep breathing trying to calm the rush of battle. Just matter of fact decisive actions. People quickly return to sleep, eager to get the light of day. 

Fianna, an hour later FinFin notes that the orc army is breaking camp.  It's 1am. They begin marching east (not towards your camp, but away at an angle).

Unless anyone else wishes to do something, 6am comes with daylight.  Let me know if FinFin follows or returns.   (OOC: You can't sleep in half-plate, even if it's made from Mithiril.  ;-). ) 

The morning reveals a massive circle of death in the forest. Though the trees and shrubs appear to only be minimally affected, dead bugs, rodents, and birds litter the area along with about three dozen dead orcs, the size of the attack seems considerably larger than you'd thought the previous night, Fianna's initial spell issuing the orc forces a nasty blow. The orc bodies are twisted, their flesh black, veins hardened, faces stuck in fierce half-shouts of pain, nails dragged in the dirt as the killing spell had done its work.  Fianna seems most saddened by the small birds and mice she comes across.....the evil death spell making them inedible for FinFin. 

Tic and Toc appear to have been up for a while as the camp breaks.  Toc looks about, "Is there anyone particularly passionate about taking on the orc force?  Otherwise we resume our search for the Oak Regiment."

Mirica was up since before dawn, of course (it was her shift too) adding to the usual morning prayers one more about return of the children of Nature to the grand circle of Life and Death (that was done for orcs and little birds alike). For a moment she contemplated if the forest here needed some help to overcome the wound, but when plants are fine - so will be animals. A warning, on the other hand, and an evidence could still be useful.

Brief breakfast (provided night-stress did not affect Chen's cooking prowess), packing tent, checking on the horse. "Oak Regiment looks like a good destination. Ready when you are".

     Fianna helped with the Orc removal from the camp, as I am sure most did.  But while Fianna was doing so she also used her Whispers of the Grave Eldritch Invocation to speak with several of the corpses while away from the others.  She asked them why the had attacked this camp.  Who had directed them to do so. How many orcs were there altogether under that person's command.  What other forces did that person command. And she would ask them what the ultimate goal was.  She would ask probably three or four corpses before giving up.

     ((I'm assuming Fianna gets largely the same answers from all, assuming none have any real useful info about ultimate goal and such... But worth the shot to ask.  Also assuming DM can slightly adjust exacter wording of questions based on answers... For quickness sake and all rather than playing each interrogation out.))

     Fianna would report everything she gets from FinFin or the corpses to the rest of the party.  FinFin would continue continue watching the Orcs until Fianna awoke the next morning, or until we decided a different course of action and needed him back.  Once Fianna awoke though she would temporarily dismiss the familiar and then take another action to resummon him at camp, avoiding the excessive travel. 

     In the morning Fianna gives no thought to the Orcs in the circle of death, though does indeed regret the loss of life that was imposed upon the woodland creatures.  But she isn't too sentimental about it, losses happen in combat, she's grown well aware of that...  And though she is fond of the smaller creatures, better it come to them than she and hers.

"The orcs aren't the reason we came here, but if it's something we want to deal with, then I'll tag along. Though, I do find what the information this Regiment has more pressing. We can at the very least tell them about the orcs to deal with. If they seem like the type to actually go out and deal with them."

Jahren says quietly to Chen "my friend, we are burdened with both choice and conscience. Judge only the reasons for what you must do."  Starting to step away and give the dragonborn his space, Jahren smiles and adds "and protecting my skinny neck is the very best of reasons" while slapping Chen in the shoulder while he departs.

Chen simply returns a grateful smile to Jahren's kindness, but says nothing and returns to his tent. In the morning he arises early to prepare breakfast alone, and is rather subdued and thoughtful while breaking camp. Before departing, he approaches Jahren and says: I thank you for your kind words last night, friend Jahren. Certainly I accept there are valid reasons to fight, even to take life - your skinny neck not being the least among them. I can reconcile this with my conscience. What shames me is my lack of temperance. It is the enemy that I fear I may never vanquish.

Jahren nods at Chen "if I can ever be of any help..." he says, trailing off and touching his new friend on the shoulder once again before leaving him be.

Jahren rises early, breaks down his tent and stows it back in his large pack.  He pulls out a small tin tea kettle and starts brewing something that smells of cinnamon and orange peel.  "Would anyone like some tea?  I picked this up at a small shop in Calimsham and it's my favorite."  Eventually he packs everything away in its place and slings his pack and cloth covered shield over his back once more.

Breaking camp, and leaving the camp and death behind, the group packs up the horses and resumes their ride. The trees of Cormanthor are ancient and have never been cut down. Trees that you could carve a house into stretch far above into the sky. The lowest limbs are far above and out of reach, and the sky is nothing more than leaves with the occasional twinkle of sunlight. The weather in the forest is cool, with almost no wind. Animals are plentiful and you see the occasional deer, and plenty of smaller game as you go. 

An hour in you pass a quiet heavily armed caravan of five wagons marked with Cormyr symbols. The guards nod to you as they go, seemingly unconcerned and relaxed. 

Near noon you come upon a large camp. The flags of Hillsfar military fly above it, the 14th Regiment, Oak regiment.  There are spiked trenches and other fortifications around the large cleared area amidst the forest. It seems like a semi permanent camp with at least three log buildings.  Toc pulls up short and looks back to Jarhen, and waves his hand forward. The six soldiers guarding the front entrance watch you with dark eyes under their steel helms. 

   ((Obviously someone amongst our group will advise the caravan of our encounter with the orcs and advise them to be careful and keep an extra watch out.))

     Fianna will of course defer the talking bits to Toc, or his new rep man Jarhen.  For her part, Fianna whispers to FinFin and asks him to carefully do a lap of the camp and see what there is to see, both camp side and forest wise.  They are looking for how many entrances there are to the camp, a general estimate of the size of the camp and number of defenders, and just a general look at the woods to see if anything strikes as odd. To accommodate this, Fianna will temporarily dismiss FinFin and then have him re-appear thirty feet over, somewhere already into the tree line so as to avoid riling up the guards.  FinFin Stealth: 20

     Otherwise Fianna stays astride her horse relaxed and patient. 

((Obviously :) ))

Mirica was riding in line quietly enjoying rare feeling of a primary forest - something she have not experienced ... she did not remember when she saw such wonder the last time. She was so caught up with the raw power of the Nature here, that seriously contemplated the possibility to stay - may be not forever (let's not be hasty even in contemplation) but at least for a serious while.

The flags of Oak Regiment interrupted pleasant day dreaming. She was not going to talk, of course, but was ready (and had to) to listen and watch. If previous day was any indication, the show "group of vagabonds enters yet another human camp" promised to be spectacular!

Jahren spurs his horse forward to the front of the group at Toc's request.  He greets the guards at the edge of the camp and urges them that they have information for Captain Rodery.

The guard in charge looks up, "Very well, hand over yer message and we'll make sure 'e gets it."  He holds out his hand expectantly.  Jahren tries again, you have information for Captain Rodery....that you must relay verbally.  The guard gets a furrow. He looks back at one of the soldiers with them and makes a nodding motion.  The guard clumsily makes a few arcane actions. Everyone in the group recognizes him casting detect magic. The guard looks at the group, his eyes darting about. He sucks in a breath that whistles as he does so.  He then points at his captain. The captain frowns, and looks at the group, "Who are ya'll and what sort a information ya got fer 'im?" 

FinFin circles the camp, staying way up in the trees to get the best view. The pseudodragon figures there's probably about three hundred men at the fortified camp. She locates the command tents, barracks, armory. They have a blacksmith station setup to do repairs and a tent that appears to be a multi-faith church. The army seems divided into groups of 20 to 30 that largely camp and stay together. These squads seem to be generally taking it easy. It would seem as if this camp is a relaxed place where the soldiers feel at ease between scouting missions. That said, things seem very well arranged and everything is kept in an orderly manner. 

For some reason Toc did not want to ask his questions openly. Mirica sighed and broke her self-promise to remain a silent hallucination  . She sent Misty (the mare did not object that name, Mirica asked) forward and gave the guards a serious look of "bearer of important news" (hoping her human features will back it up well enough). "There is an orc formation near by. We counted over 200 soldiers, accompanied by at least one shaman. A small group attacked us on the way here - you can find the bodies at this coordinates (she explained the path to their former camp), but their maincamp is deeper in the woods. We would like to provide all details to the Captain."

Jahren smiles as Mirica gives her account.  Turning to the guard again he adds "and we'd like to report on an encounter with a green dragon."  "These fine warriors here feel they may be able to be of service to Captain Rodery, but must meet with him themselves to decide."