Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[AkamaruGames]

With the orc

Marius tilts his head with his mouth open as though looking at a madman. After staring at Zoran for a moment, he says, "Well I don't let the coin do ALL of my decisions, that would be silly. I mean, how would I choose what to eat for dinner if I asked a coin every time? There are so many choices! But for important decisions, it is best I ask. Some people ask their gods, I ask the coin. Just like it would be sacrilegious to ask a god for the answer to every question in life, so is it for me to ask the coin. That said, the coin's signs are a lot clearer to read than a god's, so I much prefer it. As for trust, that is something people build over time and I have had far more time with my coins than with any of you. Take this copper coin here for example. I have had this one with me for almost 2 whole weeks! It was part of the change a merchant gave me when I bought an apple with a silver piece. That is 2 whole weeks of trust right there. Lucky for you, it seems to vouch for you for now, so that is as good a recommendation as any. As for your question, let's find out, shall we?"

Taking the aforementioned 2 week copper and balancing it on the edge of his curled index finger, he flicks his thumb and sends the coin spinning.

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

Examining the coin carefully he scratches his head a few times before shrugging. "Says the orcs are not planning an attack. It might be broken though because this was my third tail in a row. That usually means one of two things. Either one, someone has been fiddling with my coins, or two, something really bad is about to happen. I give even odds of either."

He then proceeds to scold the coin for providing too many tails and threatens to toss it in a wishing well if it keeps acting cheeky. Once the coin has been thoroughly spoken to, Marius then turns to the Nissa and says, "You are a good little girl. So polite and well spoke too! Brynhild must be your mother. Good girls respect and listen to their mothers. This is why you are a good girl. I am not a good girl because I am neither a girl, little, nor do I have a mother to respect or listen to. It is nice to meet you Nissa van Donk. My name is Marius Edger. Here, have a copper and buy yourself some candy. Never accept candy from strangers though. That never ends well."

Marius holds out the copper he flipped but then quickly stops himself, instead swapping it for another copper that apparently has been in his possession for a shorter period of time.

(FYI, this is more or less what Marius looks like. Just add a bow, a backpack and probably a coin somewhere.)

 

[Philster401]

(I asked Baldhart a few questions in past 2 posts)
"I have no god which I follow, though if a god has blessed me I know not which and care even less who. I believe man should be good because he believes it to be right, not because he feels he has to, please some god or goddess for I can't think of a worse thing then to kill in the name of a god for no other reason then they want to please them or worse because they don't like what the other believes. Especially if that man or woman has done nothing but good," he said.

"Yet I do believe they exist and that some wish to help us complete our goals in life but they never try to affect the world directly be it because they can't, won't, or just don't want to. Of course halfway through saying this I realize I'm talking to a so-called messenger or sword of Brynhild and wish you and your goddess no I'll will, I hold that for only one god and even that one I begin to realize might not be at fault completely after oue talk with______(can't remember name at the moment caravan dude.)"

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I tilt my head curiously as the stranger approaches, quite unsure of what to make him. I let him and Zoran converse for a while before finding a pause in the conversation. I might as well introduce myself as well.

"I am Liadan," I say, holding out my hand to Marius. "It's a pleasure to know we have more allies against the evil here."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I put the copper coin in my purse, and try not to laugh as the strange man treats me like a child.

I turn to Zoran, "I can answer your questions to Baldy. Father Adelbrant and Conal know what I keep in my backpack, and they know that Inquisitor Brecht has seen this side of me as well. Brecht and Adelbrant are blessed by the gods as you are—meaning if I were deceiving either about the nature of my service to Brynhild, both would have sensed a trace of evil about me. They trust me enough that those camping out should be safe, as long as they mind their manners. Conal and Adelbrant agree that we cannot afford suspicion if we're to work together to protect Ballara and put an end to these orc raids. These guardsmen are accompanying me to camp, and Baldhart has found a warrior to help it would seem."

Baldhart keeps a passive stance, but I can see she's ready for the orc if he tries anything foolish.

((@Philster, I know why you couldn't roll now. There's a change. You need to type # before the dice code. For the above, I typed: #1d20+3+3+4+2 #Readied Action - Grab Runaway Orc

@SP, no harm intended and no action taken at all if the orc doesn't attempt to escape. I'm not expecting him to based on the GM post saying he's too weak to try anything. Mostly, I was trying to see if Rolz works since Philster couldn't roll earlier.))

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Marius takes a look at Liadan's hand and squints for a moment. Taking his two week copper, he flips it!

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

Noting the shiny head of some monarch on the coin, Marius seems somewhat relieved as he shakes Liadan's hand with one hand while pocketing the copper with the other. "Nice to meet you, ma'am. No one told me anything about evil though. What evil?"

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I sigh. "That's a long story. For now, all you need to know is that an evil sorceress is forcing orcs to band together and attack villages, and we expect they will attack Ballara soon. I'm sure we can explain more when we have the time, but for now I think action is best."

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Marius perks up at the mention of a sorceress, "Is this the same sorceress I hear talk about having been strangled? Because if I was strangled, I would be tempted to send out an orc army to slaughter everyone too. You should generally avoid strangling people. I try to."

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart, Liadan et al.

Tumi seems pleased by the idea that there might be more elves around. “Well ain't that something,” he says. “Who'd have thought we'd get elves in Ballara.”

The villager listens to Marius' explanation about the coin, gives the rest of the group a strange look, and shakes his head. “Uh...yeah, well, anyway, thank for saving us from those damned orcs!”

By this time, Baldhart is attempting to interrogate the orc. The creature is conscious, but still looks a bit dazed. It manages to focus on Baldhart's voice, then bring its eyes up to lock on Baldhart's face. The face lacks any recognizable sign of comprehension. When Baldhart finishes, the orc forces out a mouthful of hard consonants and harsh rolling sounds, like someone clearing their throat. The orc's breath is warm and foul, its words incomprehensible.

When Zoran asks about the scout, and whether he might go back for reinforcements, the villager says “I don't know about reinforcements. We see orcs across the river time to time. Call 'em scouts because they always seem to be watching Ballara, or watching us as we go about our business outside of town. When we see a couple like that, they usually just watch and then leave. Not sure what possessed these two to attack, though without your help they'd have got us. I doubt the one that got away is going for more, but I bet he'll tell the rest of 'em what happened.”

The orc continues not to understand Baldhart, apparently, or any of the rest of the group. As Baldhart holds the orc, its attention flicks to Marius and his coin, and the orc tenses, but he doesn't try to run or to attack anyone. Although he may not speak the same language as the rest of you, he appears to comprehend being outnumbered well enough.

Callan listens to the conversation between Marius and the group and says to Baldhart “You planning on taking that thing to the camp with out?” She gestures at the orc. “I can tie him up and we can get moving.”

Rannock grunts, and Tumi shake his head. “Damn woman's always in a hurry.” But he makes sure he's a few feet away from Callan when he says it. She ignores him.

Camp

There's no further activity at camp. Burnbright and Branwen still sit quietly. When no more noise comes from the direction of the road, Masama says “I will check. When I come back, I will tell you what I see.” With that the big man disappears into the trees. Not as quiet as an elf, but not bad.

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I tilt my head as the orc speaks, trying to make sense of the strange sounds it makes. Perhaps if I can do so, I can find a way to get the answers Baldhart seems to want from it.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

Well, I don't know what he's talking about, but I think I know how he feels…

((I'll wait for GM PM/post before Nissa says anything.
CHA & WIS are Nissa's primes.))



Baldhart

I tell Callan, "Yeah, we can keep him with us. I realized talking to an orc was a long shot, but you do know of some orcs who can talk, right?" I help the orc up, as long as he is cooperative, and guide him along.

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Completely unconcerned about the orc or the interrogation there of, Marius flips his 2 week copper a few times, ignoring the results as he quietly aligns the coin's energy with the chaos of the cosmos. At least that's what he thinks he is doing anyway. Once he is convinced that the coin's results will be reliable, he pockets the coin, approaches the group and says, "Hey! Who's up for a game of charades? I'll pair with orc guy. You can all figure out who you are pairing up with on your own."

 

[Philster401]

"Maybe we get Aliron to track the orc back to their camp and report back to us," Zoran said then continued by saying, "Marius I don't think the orc is going to want to play charades," Zoran said.

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Marius takes one good long stare at the orc and then back at Zoran before saying, "Are you sure? Because talking doesn't seem to be working and he looks like a real bang-up charades player."

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart, Liadan et al.

Callan nods to Baldhart. "I've come across a few who can speak our language. It's not the norm for them, but there are some who know it."

The orc doesn't struggle as he is guided along. He continues to utter words in his own language, looking around at the group. Rannock and Tumi keep a wary eye on him, and Rannock spits on the ground where the creature had been laying. "Foul beast."

The orc seems wary of the flipping coin.

((PMs coming to LS and Ireth))

Camp

Although the sounds of battle faded a few minutes ago, Aliron can make out the sound of distant conversation that seems to be growing steadily louder. Seems like a good-sized group, though too far away to tell what they are saying.

Masama passes near where Aliron hides, not noticing the elf.

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Marius flips his coin a few more times as he stands right next to the orc. He then says, "For example, we haven't even started and he's already telling us a lot. He knows something bad is going to happen. And he knows that I know that the coin knows everything he is thinking. I bet he also knows that I know that the coin will tell us a lot of things that we are not going to be happy about, and the less happy we are, the lower his chances of leaving here alive become. I don't really know you guys well, but I bet I could ask the coin and it would tell me exactly whether the orc has made you all happy enough to let him go, or unhappy enough to make sure he goes nowhere ever again. Right there, Mr. Orc? By the way, can I call you something other than Mr Orc? Because it sounds vaguely racist and even if you are about to be slaughtered by this angry mob, torn limb from limb and fed to hungry pigs, I would at least like to refer to you by your name, out of respect. It's just basic decency, right?"

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I keep my eyes on the orc, frowning as I decipher its words, and relay them to those listening.

"The orc asks that we free him. He only wanted the fish. He thinks your coin--" I glance at Marius "--is your means of deciding whether or not we will kill him."

I look up at Baldhart. "I would rather not shed blood needlessly. Perhaps this orc can aid us against those who ally with our enemy. I will continue to translate for him if you wish. He doesn't seem to understand our tongue, and I think I can grasp his enough to speak it back. Not fluently, but enough to get by. If you have anything to say to him, please do so now."

((Not sure if I need to roll for speaking orcish, but I can if necessary.))

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Marius holds up his coin and says, "Isn't that more or less what I said? He understands more than he lets on and is absolutely fabulous at charades."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

"Apologies, I wasn't listening to you. I was quite focused on him." I look back at the orc, still waiting for Baldhart to speak.

 

[Philster401]

"Liadan ask him why he didn't fish for fish himself why try and steal," Zoran said.
Zoran also decided to check for evil in this orc.

(Fyi the reason my posts are short is bc I had blood drawn and took a flu shot yesterday and because I don't normally have time for longer during the weekdays.)

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

Nissa tells me that the orc is scared, but her usual poker face reveals her surprise when Liadan understands the orc.

I assure Liadan I intend to spare the orc though I do add for the guards' sake, "Whether he deserves it or not." I ask Liadan to skip that part but to please translate the rest. I assure her, "I swear to Brynhild, every word you translate will be truthful."

I face the orc as I speak. "The coin does not decide your fate. You do." I calm my demeanor. "I don't mean that as a threat…" I give Liadan time to translate, then go on. "You are hungry because you are on the run from other orcs. They work for a human woman named Aslaug and these orcs slaughter the orcs who do not…" Again I pause for translation then say, "The people of Ballara are innocent and you have no right or reason to steal from them. If you want to stop Aslaug and her orcs, you need to stop running from them and fight.

"Let me speak to your leader, preferably if he can speak my language. I will go to camp first and rid myself of my sword, so I will be unarmed when I bring you back to your people, and you will be unbound. Perhaps we can give you something to eat while we're there."

I await his reaction, and say to Callan, "You would tell me if what I am attempting here is suicidal, right?" I say it with a smile.