Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Steerpike]

When Cadell starts toward the cage, the orc with the bow barks out a few word and gestures with the bow that Cadell should stay with the group. The orc looks to Liadan and says "Tell him not to go near prisoners."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I grasp the orc's meaning well enough, and reluctantly back away to stand by Liadan again. But I keep my eyes on the dwarf, and hope he'll listen when I speak to Korgak of peace and alliance. I wonder if he can see my medallion from here, and tell I am a Dwarf-friend.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I say to Cadell, "If this talk with Korgak works out, maybe he'll agree to a prisoner exchange. I don't intend to leave those dwarves in cages, no matter what."

I ask Red Sash, "Are both prisoners alive?" I tell Liadan, "If they ask why I care, tell them I am a woman who likes short men."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

Unseen from my perch, I watch the group follow the orcs. When the wolf growls, I try to find out what scent he caught. The orcs don't notice anything...

((And I guess neither does Nissa.))

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I stay where I am, but watch the dwarves as well. I hope I can discern more of their condition from here. Is the unmoving one dead, or simply unconscious? Is the other injured at all?

 

[Philster401]

Zoran checks the dwarf prisoners for evil discretely.

 

[Philster401]

Then he asks, "Laidan I'd like you to ask the orcs why they two dwarfs as prisoners, what they did wrong, and if we could talk to them. Although I'd recommend waiting till we meet their leader before making them angry."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"I'd prefer we don't make them angry there either."

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Back down with the weapons, Marius grabs a bit of wood and a knife and begins to whittle. "Hmm... A lot more people actually went then I thought the orcs would allow," he says to himself. He then makes a count of how many people actually stayed behind.

(honestly, I have no idea how many people are even in our group, but it seems massive. I think I need a cheat list or something)

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
How far into the walk did the wolf act up? Would Aliron have seen it? If he did see the action, he will watch the area intently.
He doesn't trust the orcs, but instinct of animals could be warning. If he has trouble seeing the area he will move in the area of the group to a place he could see that area best.
If it was out of sight of Aliron he would just continue listening for Bressel and watching the area around them and where the orcs are that are watching them. (He will note where they are in case he needs to attack them.)

Bressel
Bressel sings until they reach the place they wait to meet Korgak. Then stands quietly seemingly bored but will make a note of all guards, look for any place that offers cover from arrows. He will also note the cage materials and locks, if any. To judge if he might be able to break them out by force or would it need a lockpick?
He also is looking for anything that might be used as a weapon.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Here's Baldy trying to see what she can see about the cage as she speaks of the dwarves. I'm guessing with a roll that low, she won't notice anything that isn't completely obvious. She's trying to determine if the fallen orc is alive, and also if the empty cage has room enough for the whole group.))

 

[SeverinR]

ability check [1d20+2] = 10+2 = 12 (level)Non-prime abilities Int, Wis, Chr

here's a roll for Bressel, non prime for either Wis or int. to see if he notices anything. Other then obvious I believe he failed.

 

[Steerpike]

The Orc Camp

Not much can be discerned about the dwarves - the orcs won't let anyone close enough to do a thorough examination. The non-moving one could be dead or unconscious. Even Liadan is unable to tell from where she stands. The other dwarf simply glowers at the group through the bars of the cage. He's dirty and bruised and doesn't look happy about his situation. He makes no attempt to call out to the group, just glares at both the party and the orcs.

As the party contemplates the dwarves, the guard who ran into the cave comes running back out, stopping short when he reaches the red-sashed orc who led the party here. He says something quietly, and the orc who led the party turns to Liadan and says "Korgak will see two of you. No more. You may speak your words to him."

The Party's Camp

Things are relatively quiet once the orcs are gone. Nissa doesn't spot anything from the air, including in the area where the wolf was growling. Whatever spooked the animal remains a mystery.

Masama takes up a guard post at the opposite end of the camp from the direction Aliron took. Tumi leans against a tree near the center of camp, trying to look non-chalant but looking nervous.

Branwen gazes at the members of the group, turning in place as her eyes move from one person to the next. She finally settles on Marius, who is whittling a piece of wood. Branwen walks up to Marius, her doll dangling from one hand, and watches for a moment. Then she moves a bit closer until Marius notices her and points at her mouth. She mimes chewing and swallowing and says "Bwanen."

((The group is large. At the orc camp: Liadan, Cadell, Baldhart, Burnbright, Bressel, Callan, Zoran. Outside the orc camp: Marius, Aliron, Tumi, Masama, Branwen, Nissa))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"This was my idea. I must bear the risk." I turn to Liadan, adding, "Are you okay with just me and you going in?

"If Korgak will not see the rest, they should go back. If Aslaug's forces head this way, no one benefits from half our group being separated from their weapons."

 

[AkamaruGames]

Marius

Marius actually doesn't seem to know the first thing about whittling as the only thing he has managed to create from his whittling is a smaller stick. Looking down at his whittled stick and then back at Branwen, Marius attempts to figure out what it is that she wants. "Hmmm... Hungry are you? You don't want to eat this stick. It's not yummy. And I am out of bwanens. How about a nice um..."

Fumbling about in his backpack, Marius searches for something to eat. Seems he still has a few rations left. He pulls one out and cracks it open, revealing some dried meat, hard cheese and some hard, crusty bread. Breaking off a bit of the cheese, he offers some. "Looks like I have some rations left. The food is a little tough, but it doesn't spoil and it will fill your belly. Want some?"

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look between Baldhart and Liadan with a small frown. "Well, I had a number of things planned out to say to the orcs, but I suppose this means I don't get to." Not that this is their fault.

Liadan

I sigh. "If this is what the orcs want, we shouldn't argue. It will only put us at risk. Why don't you two draw straws or twigs to see who goes to speak with Korgak?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Liadan, the last thing the orcs need to see is us making a decision based on random chance. That would make us look weak. You worked with your queen, and I've grown up around the chief of a warrior clan. Between the two of us, I think we handle diplomacy.

"From my initial meeting with Callan, I hoped it would be both if us in there. Her rapport with orcs and gnolls and such would do us good. But it's as you said, we would be fools to bargain with the number.

"Why not have others tell us their words now, and we can relay those messages to Korgak?"

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

"He worked for the same queen I did," I say, jerking my head toward Cadell. "She appointed him the official emissary between elves and humans during our cooperation. And he has rapport with gnolls and dwarves as well, remember?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I remind myself to keep calm. Poised. Mind appearances.

"Liadan, I am not comparing who is better at what. I am saying that we must not look weak. You and I are the most vocal at the moment. If this conversation ends with us going inside together, we show them we, human and elf, are united. If one of us stays behind, it will confirm that we are arguing, as the orcs surely suspect. That weakens us, and weakness is dangerous."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

"Liadan, why don't you ask if the orcs will allow all three of us to go to Korgak? If you act as only an interpreter, they might not mind it. And if I tell you what I want you to say on my behalf now, it might come off as overly rehearsed. You'll have enough to do with translating back and forth, without having to worry about remembering everyone's messages from beforehand."

Liadan

"No, Baldhart has a point. Let's not argue anymore. I just want to get this done with." We've wasted enough time as it is.