Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Speaking of Ghendra, what would you do if he approached? Any chance your past together would make conversation possible? If you'd shoot him on sight, I'm fine with that too. But as much as he deserves death, I know he fears Aslaug, and it's not fear for his own safety. He's too proud to say, but he did spare the children of Srilkind and make them orphans in the same hour. I don't think that's some weird gnoll morality. He's trying to obey Aslaug just enough so she doesn't send an army to slaughter gnoll pups, or something as awful. She's got the orcs scared enough to hunt down their own kind, so a conversation with an orc might do us some good.

"I want to know what kind of threat we're dealing with. I know magic is powerful, and even my father says going ten-on-one against a strong enough wizard is suicide. But how is it that every man and monster fears this one woman who hides behind an army? Everyone has a limit."

 

[Steerpike]

On The Road

Zoran takes a swing at the healthy orc before the creature gets out of his range:

[1d20+1] = 6+1 = 7

Unfortunately, the orc's panic carries him away from Zoran's blade. The villager with the rock is still backpedaling, not so eager to be in the middle of a fight with an orc that is facing him. He stumbles away from the orc as the creature flees past, watching with mouth open as the orc dashes across the grass in the direction of the river.

The newcomer looses an arrow at the orc, but it is a glancing shot, not doing any damage to the creature or even interrupting his run. In seconds, the orc is in full sprint. It might be possible to catch him, but only if someone sets off after him right away, and even then it's no sure thing.

The wounded orc remains unconscious, but its breathing is more labored than ever and blood covers the creature.

Nissa

The guards seem pleased when Nissa says there are nine with her. That's not an insignificant number for a town like Ballara, particularly if they are combat veterans. When Nissa requests an escort, Conal nods and appoints the two men she selected. The one who mentioned Brynhild, a man by the name of Rannock, raises an eyebrow. The other, Tumi, puffs his chest out a bit and says "Don't worry, we'll see you to your camp."

"Just make sure she gets there without having her ears talked off," Conal says.

There are a few grunts that pass for short laughs among the men. Tumi shrugs. "What can I say, I'm the friendly type."

Conal turns to the remaining men and begins making plans to speed up the palisade construction. Rannock and Tumi follow Nissa out the southern gate, letting her lead the way since they don't have the faintest clue where the camp is. Rannock is silent and casts Nissa a few sidelong contemplative glances.

Tumi talks about Ballara, where he's been since birth, his chatter more or less continuous as he points out the guardhouse, which he says his father helped build, the edge of the palisade (which is clear to everyone, but which Tumi remarks upon anyway), and any other point of interest for which he has a story to tell, which appears to be all of them.

"That there," he says, pointing back to a small house toward the forest as the trio leaves town, "is where I got my first kiss, when I was just a lad. Sifa, it was. Pretty as anything you ever seen. And there's the tree where Sifa's daddy got a switch and made sure I couldn't sit for a week."

He continues in that vein as he and Rannock follow Nissa.

Baldhart and Liadan

Callan is silent for a moment after Baldhart asks her question. Then: "I wouldn't shoot him on sight. It's not like that. We'd have some hard words. I wouldn't trust him with my back, except so far as our interests lined up. And by his interests, I mean gnoll interests. Your story about Srilkind doesn't help. Ghendra, damn his hide, isn't stupid. And he knows right from wrong. But he figures he can do wrong if it means helping his people and still come out OK in the end. I told him...."

She trails off, then picks up again when Baldhart asks about Aslaug. "Why are people afraid, you mean? Magic alone will do that to many. People are scared of it. Can't say I really blame them. She caused the Taint, or at least that's what people say. That scares them too. When it comes to orcs, goblins, gnolls...well, orcs and goblins understand strength and greed. That's about it, from what I've ever seen, so she's either put fear into them or promised them something big.

"However she got them on her side, I'd like to know what she's up to. Does she mean to set herself up as queen of the north or is she just creating chaos?"

As Baldhart, Liadan, and Callan skirt Ballara and head toward the southern road they see another trio heading south. A couple of guards from Ballara and a very Nissa-like halfling. One of the guards is yammering about something or other and they don't notice the three comrades approaching.

((Timeline was unclear, so I'm using the trip back to the camp as an opportunity to sync; also, I'm going to leave the camp alone for the moment so that if one of the players who is there wants to post they can still react to the last thing that happened)).

 

[AkamaruGames]

On the Road

The newcomer considers chasing after the orc before deciding it would be a whole lot of work that he just isn't bloodthirsty enough to go through. Instead he walks over to the injured orc and pulls his arrow out of the orc's wound with an unceremonious pop! Unconcerned about the creature's well-being, he wipes the blood off the arrow on the orc's clothing, then inspects it for damage before putting it back in his quiver. Mustn't be wasteful after-all.

He gives something between a salute and a wave to the other two men and asks, "Town is this way, right?" as he gestures to the North.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"I never did get a chance for a first kiss. Not that I'm complaining. Brynhild found a purpose for me and I'm more than happy to serve Her. I lack the formal training and physical prowess of Her typical follower, but I can usually connect with the warriors I speak to… make 'em feel their falls in battle weren't all for nothing."

I flash a grin at Tumi. "If you can fight as well as you talk, you'd be a perfect candidate for valkyrie's wings… well, if you weren't a guy." Speaking of future valkyries, there's one… at least.

I point out Baldy, Liadan and the lady with them. "There's my cousin—the tall one. Let's wait for her."



Baldhart

As we walk up to Nissa and the guards, I tell Callan, "That's the valkyrie. The backpack is hollowed to cover her wings, so she doesn't cause a panic, but you'll see 'em."

As we all walk to camp together, Nissa and I make introductions. Rannock seems to be reluctant to tag along, but Tumi appears to enjoy the company of so many women. I tell them what I learned of the orcs. "…some work for Aslaug, and they hunt down those who do not. It seems that raiders are not working for Aslaug, but come here out of desperation. Callan believes there are about 300, but that includes elders and children. They are not organized, so those who can fight have not come in full force."

I ask the guards, "Any chance you have an orc prisoner? Preferably one who can talk… but if he's in shape to walk, that may be enough to start a conversation when we meet others. As much as I'd gladly beat the raiders to death, what's best for the innocents of the North may be a peaceful resolution, if that's possible."

 

[Steerpike]

On the Road

The fleeing orc escapes into the distance, the two villagers staring after the creature, then looking warily at the wounded orc. It is clear the wounded orc won't last much longer. Its breathing is shallow, its skin ashen. The male villager has refilled the bucket with as many fish as he could find scattered across the ground, grumbling at the state of his catch. The female villager nods approvingly at the newcomer with the bow.

"Yep. Ballara's just up the road. We're heading that way now," she gestures at the man with the bucket. "You're welcome to join us. Both of you."

Baldy, Liadan et al.

Tumi grins at Nissa. "I know the sharp end of a sword, no worries 'bout that. But I'd rather not be a valkyrie - no offense. It's the likes of you that comes to guide us up to Valhalla if we fall in battle, right? Almost makes it worth dyin'." He gives another wink.

Rannock grunts and says "You'll have to forgive Tumi. He didn't learn to talk until he was ten, and no one ever taught him how to stop."

Tumi takes this in stride, his grin not faltering. "You're just mad 'cause she didn't look at you like she did me!"

Before the discussion can go any further, Baldhart and Liadan arrive. Tumi and Rannock stopping to wait once Nissa points out her cousin. Tumi takes in Baldhart, then Callan, then his eyes come to rest on Liadan. "That's...isn't that an elf?"

Even Rannock's eyes widen just a bit, but he looks to Callan instead and just says "Callan."

Callan nods while she, Baldhart, and Liadan are still out of earshot of Nissa. "Incredible," she says, when Baldhart mentions about the backpack covering the wings. "And it looks like she's managed to rangle a couple of city guards. That's Rannock and Tumi with her."

When Rannock says her name, Callan just nods at him curtly.

The two guards take in Baldhart's words about the orcs solemnly, even Tumi's smile falters a bit. "300..." He breathes out a long breath. How many of those can fight? How many of them will fight together?"

Rannock answers the prisoner question. "We don't have any in Ballara. Been a while since we caught one. A while since anyone had an interest in keeping one alive, I guess."

 

[AkamaruGames]

The newcomer shrugs and says, "Sure, why not? They say the road shared by two is half as long. I imagine sharing it with more people would make it some other smaller fraction that I don't have the math skills to contemplate. Math doesn't lie, right? My name is Marius Edger, nice to meet you and your stinky fish."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I look at the villager who remarks on my race, and keep my voice calm and pleasant as I nod and reply. "I am indeed, and I'm here to help. I hope that isn't a problem?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Fighters? By Callan's estimate, maybe 100, but they're not organized. Some tribes may not want to cooperate with others. But what's more important—and potentially useful to us—is Aslaug's orcs have turned on other orcs.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not here to slaughter every monster in the north… just those that deserve to die. If the orcs have children to care for, those children are innocents too. Aslaug targets the children of other creatures to build her army, or so I suspect. She proved she has no qualms about seeing human children dead when she sent gnolls to raze Srilkind. No matter how much I hate him for his part in the slaughter, Ghendra the gnoll did allow the children to flee. Also is more monster than any gnoll or orc, as far as I can tell.

"If it's possible to talk to an orc, I would like to. I'd rather see them organize themselves to stop Aslaug's orcs. We can't beat all 100 of them unless they keep coming in small numbers until all fighters are dead. Even if they're that dumb or disorganized, Aslaug isn't. She's not going to slaughter all 300. She's going to have some slaughtered until her orcs can bully the rest to join."

Maybe meeting Tarlack has softened me too much. Even he says orcs and gnolls are bullies.

"We need to be ready to fight and kill the orcs, regardless. Talking is something I'm willing to try, but it's not a conversation I would take lightly. I wouldn't want to plant the idea of organization in their heads until I know their interest is to stop Aslaug's orcs from hunting them down. If they target Ballara for their own reason, they are dangerous."

 

[Philster401]

Zoran asked, "Do you guys have anything i could use to restrain this orc? I plan on trying to bring him to the leader of this town for interrogation. So could one of you run ahead and tell the lrader that I have captured an orc and that i'm requesting help, also if you see a female who is really tall with dark brown hair, let her know Zoran sent you."

Zoran laid his hands on the orc after he wrapped up his arms behind the orcs back.

"Hey um, Marius, do you have any plans while your in Ballara? If not I'd like to introduce you to some of my friends, especially if your looking for an adventure."

 

[AkamaruGames]

Scratches his head for a moment and thinks. That is a good question. Do I have any plans in Ballara...

Flip a coin! Heads or tails? [1d2] = 2

Removing a coin from his pouch, he flips it and it lands tails. Seems that he does not in fact have any plans in Ballara. Good thing too, because if he did, he surely has forgotten them anyway. He turns and says, "No, I do not seem to have plans. I might be looking for adventure. I definitely do have bandages, however. Will they do as bindings? And by the way, does a bound orc factor into any formula involving the division of road distance? Because if it does, we should definitely bring it along. If not, I rather keep my bandages."

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart, Liadan et al.

Tumi blinks at Liadan, the loquacious man seemingly stumped for a moment. Then he recovers and says "I...Uh...well, no. It's not problem. It's just that I never seen an elf. I'm Tumi and this is Rannock. We're pleased to meet you."

Rannock doesn't look particularly pleased about anything, but he nods to Liadan.

"Must be a lot going on," Tumi says, "if they got you out of your hide-away, Callan."

"There's plenty," Callan says, and lets Baldhart go into the story of the orcs. When Baldhart mentions orc children being innocents Rannock mutters "There's no such thing as an innocent orc. I don't care how young they are." Even Tumi, who seems generally good-natured, nods thoughtfully at this. The two men, despite their different demeanors, both pay close attention to Baldhart's words, and even Tumi's somewhat juvenile side is pushed to the side. Both men are acutely interested in anything that affects the well being of Ballara.

When Baldhart gets to the part about being ready to fight and kill orcs, the guards seem on firmer grown and mutter agreement as walk alongside her.

"We've got elves, this pretty little thing with the backpack," says Tumi, getting some of his levity back. He eyes Baldhart. "We've got the tallest woman this side of Jotundar, everyone in Ballara that can lift a spear and know which end is pointy, and Callan. We can't lose."

"I'd be OK with one casualty," Rannock says, giving Tumi a quick push on the shoulder. Tumi grins and shakes his head and keeps walking.

About this time a village woman comes running up the road yelling something about a captured orc and that Zoran sent her. Rannock and Tumi put their hands on their weapons and start double-timing it.

((You can RP the conversation some more, and then assume that this group meets up with Zoran and Marius))

Further Down the Road

When Zoran asks someone to run to town, the woman takes off up the road toward Ballara. The man sets his bucket aside for the moment and waits with Zoran and Marius. He watches skeptically as Zoran places his hands on the orc, then lets out a low whistle as the orc's bleeding stops and its wounds start to close. By the time Zoran is finished with the creature, it is just starting to come around, though too weak to do much moving and certainly too weak to struggle against Zoran.

The villager scrambles forward to help Zoran hold the orc. He looks over at Marius and asks "What's with the coin?"

Camp

Things remain quiet in camp. In fact, the faint sounds that seemed like fighting have faded away. Masama looks to the elves to see if they hear anything.

With the alarm seemingly lessened, Burnbright takes her hands away from Branwen's mouth. The older girl stays near Cadell, seemingly drained of energy, her face streaked and dirty. Branwen lays down next to her and puts her head in Burnbright's lap. Burnbright strokes Branwen's hair absently.

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I nod. "A pleasure, Tumi and Rannock. I am not the only elf who has come to the North to aid in the fight against evil. You may meet more of our company soon."

Cadell

All seems quiet, but I stay alert, listening hard for what I can discern in the wake of the fighting.

((Don't recall whether elves get a +2 to Listen checks on top of level mods and such; if yes, that's a 17.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Looks like Zoran finally got to arrest someone. He's a paladin, a good man, though we did have a minor disagreement about sparing the enemy… after I strangled a child-murdering sorcerer to death. Tumi, Rannock, let's just say I understand why you're hesitant to see the orcs live through this. Just know that my focus is on one goal only: to protect the innocent of Ballara. Though I'm willing to see if a peaceful resolution with the orcs is possible, I'm not opposed to killing them. I don't know if the orcs will even talk. Let's see if this one can."

I see Zoran, and thank him for defeating the orc. I see two men with him, and introduce myself to both. And then there's the orc.

"I am Baldhart Eisenberg, servant of Brynhild, human Goddess of Battle. And you are an orc, built like a mighty warrior. Yet you have acted out of cowardice and desperation, attacking an innocent fisherman and his wife. Why don't you tell me why? If we wanted you dead, Zoran wouldn't have healed you. You will live. You may even live free. But that depends on what you have to say to me."

I watch his face as I talk, hoping he understands me… then I wait in the hope that he can speak my language.

 

[AkamaruGames]

On the road

Marius took a look at his coin quizzically unsure about the nature of the question. "It is a coin, much like any other coin. I use it to make decisions much like I use this bow to shoot at things and these legs to walk. Do you not have coins? They are often used in lieu of barter for purposes of practicality, assuming relative value so one does not need to trade cumbersome items for the sake of one's daily needs. Livestock, for example, is not very easy to carry around. If you do not have coins and instead seek to trade a cow, I would recommend you exchange it for an equivalent value of coins. Unfortunately, I am not in need of a cow, nor do I have sufficient coins to give you in exchange, so if you need to do that, we should really go to town. I wonder if cows are also figured into road length? Do they count double on account of their four legs?"

Marius then introduces himself to Baldhart who arrives in the middle of his brief rant and quickly forgets about him as he seems to be more interested in interrogating the injured orc. Turning his attention back to Zoran he says, "I think the road is short enough that extra people will not be required."

 

[Philster401]

(Baldhart is a her if your talking about her wgen you mentioned he)

 

[AkamaruGames]

(good to know will keep in mind for the future)

 

[Philster401]

Zoran wonder who this man was to make decisions with less thought and more chance it seemed. He figured it must have been just luck that he shout the orc instead of me, but to be sure Zoran asked, "was there a chance back there that you would have shot me instead of that orc over there? If so, I don't necessarily disagree about it but you behave a good reason for thinking the orcs were good guys."

After he asked him that he realized that his main reason for coming here was to do (something which I can't remember anymore I believe to check and see what's happening at the camp)
He ended up asking Baldhart, " should we send someone to the camp to let them know what happened, also do you think it would be safe for the rest of our team come to Ballara?"

He also realized something, there were two orcs, and one of the villagers said scouting and he was suddenly very worried, as soon as he got his thoughts together he asked the villager who mentioned scouting, "do you mean that the one who escaped probably went back to get reinforcements?"
"Baldhart, if what I think is true Balara is in grave danger."(and if not oh well)

Finally he decided to ask these questions also directly to the orc, "Why did you attack the villagers, are there more of you, if so did the other one go back and get reinforcements or lead a raid on the city if you refuse to answer these questions I'm sure Baldhart will have no problem putting a bit of pressure on you."

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius shrugged and said, "People fight all the time. How am I supposed to know which ones to root for? You guys could have been robbing their fish for all I knew. Honestly, even now I don't know that you aren't just hunting them for fun. I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt because the coin says I should do so. Do you not trust the coin's judgement?"

 

[Philster401]

"Thank you, that sounds like a very wise answer, for the same reason that is why I only injured, be it seriously, not killed at least not till I know why he attacked the villagers. Okay if you trust the coins judgment lets do a simple test heads being yes and tails being no, are the orcs planning an attack? Also, no, I don't trust or believe in a coin in making good decisions but in this situation I believe it might have been ok to leave it to chance," Zoran said then took a breath and them continued.

"I must ask though is there a way I can get you to trust us over a coin at least most of the time, because if not, I don't see you making your way anywhere quickly. At the moment I'm interviewing you to see if I should suggest you to Baldhart, for it is her decision in the end for you to join. That is if you want, and you make it past me first. Right now your about 50/50 at the moment, thought I'd let you know. Also My full name is Zoran Alaster, Palladian of no god," he said.

(Just had to add a coin pun in there and I need a better introduction.)

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((@Akamaru, I forgot to give descriptions of my characters, which I think we should do for new players. Me most of all since my characters are a bit freakish. Baldhart is 6'9" with brown hair in oxhorns, dressed like a monk but painted like a barbarian. She has a scimitar, but her calloused knuckles suggests unarmed fighting. Nissa is 2'3" with blonde pigtails, wearing a dress and—if your character has ever seen a halfling, he might find it strange that she wears boots and doesn't have big feet like ever other halfling. She looks like a very small human, and is in fact half human. She is wearing a backpack, which you'll find out later contains nothing but is covering wings. According to GM posts, the backpack serves this purpose well.

See tallest and shortest pictured here [LINK], though in different outfits and hair in Nissa's case.
Nissa also doesn't wear warpaint; she's just being a mini-me to this amazon version of Baldhart.

DE classes: Baldy = barbarian/monk; Nissa = valkyrie))

Nissa

I say to Zoran, "Surely you have the blessings of a god because you are a good man even if your superior was not. Do you know which god it might be?"

I then turn to Marius and introduce myself. "Marius, I am Nissa van Donk. I trust in Brynhild; you trust in your coin. As long as Brynhild and your coin agree on matters of importance, your coin will not pose a problem."