Zhym wrote:Angus steps forward. "Lots of things go easier without Elf Bitch around," he answers with a smile, "but fightin' ain't one of them. You'd be powerful glad to have her sword on your side. And from what they tell me, she's even mellowed a bit from when y'all met her."
"Name's Angus," he says. "I reckon you know Arnulf, Hellebore, Hyde, and Yenny. The half-orc what's all prettied up is called Dandelion. Tempus and Galan are the short fellows. The elf's Lorilee. She's better company than Elf Bitch, mostly because she don't say much."
He nods at this introduction, and at those of the others. He looks puzzled at Dandelion's introduction, but says nothing.
"Thank you. And for those new to our settlement, I am Jobin. I oversee things here. You are most welcome here, but for reasons of security, I must ask that you stay within our visitors' area for the duration of your visit. And, as you have been informed, we are very low on provisions. This has been a cruel winter, and the orcs have become bolder. Both have conspired to starve us."
Zhym wrote:He pauses, and looks around before continuing. "Wish we had good news for you, but most of it's bad. First, I'm sorry, but your messenger's dead. We found him near a tower a ways from here, lying in the snow. We ain't sure what killed him. Might have been them batsquitos what seem to be all over these lands. Anyways, we found your message and sent it off to Alleborg. Sent two copies—one on a bird, and a couple of folks went to deliver it personal-like. Bird came back without a response, and we ain't seen our people yet. We were kind of hoping they'd be waiting for us here."
Jobin's face drops, and one of the guards groans, barely audibly. He says nothing for a minute.
"That is bad news indeed. But I thank you for finalizing the delivery of our message. A clever idea, having a bird deliver it. With no allies, we have not had the need to train creatures in such a manner. Tell me, though, why deliver the message twice? We have seen no signs of your friends."
Zhym wrote:"After we sent your message to Alleborg, we set off for your fort. I know them Alleborgians, and I got me a pretty good idea what their response will be. Hide their heads in their city, like as not. And if they did do anything, it'd just be to send us. Might even decide to tell us not to come here, to use us for something they care more about than y'all. So we figured we might as well come directly. Sorry we ain't an army, or even a squad of soldiers. I can't speak for my friends here, but I promise you this: I'll do all I can to help you put down them orcs what've been bothering you."
"Perhaps. But your freeing of slaves has raised the ire of those orcs. They roam in larger packs, and more frequently. I am surprised you encountered none on your way here. Or if you did, you are more powerful than you look, as you sport no wounds. I would be surprised if they haven't struck against your people too. And don't take offense to this, but I hope they are. For if they wipe us out, they will focus on your people, and then I fear it will be too late."
He looks over the entire group.
"Your offer is generous. But we seek an alliance with Alleborg for a full assault on the orc city. We do not number enough to mount a meaningful assault. But if your leadership could be persuaded to match our numbers, we have a chance." He thinks for a moment.
"But you seem capable adventurers. Perhaps you could form a special team to attack from a different direction." He sighs.
"But it is all for naught if we do not receive aid from Alleborg."
Zhym wrote:"Oh, one more thing," he adds. "On the way here, we came by a place the orcs seem to call 'Town No Go.' A whole flock of them batsquitos was calling the old church tower home, but that don't explain all the dead bodies lying around town, not to my thinking. We looked into the town and found us a grisly sight—a whole passel of men, long dead, hanged. And some orcs on the floor that died a touch more recently. That last part weren't so bad, but there was also a couple of dead bodies what rose and attacked us—and kept on attacking when we thought we'd put 'em down. Now, I know y'all got enough to worry about, but we'd be mighty obliged if you could tell us anything you know about that place. Something terrible went down there, a long time ago."
"You mean the town to the north? Yes, this was a site of great treachery. Linked to the downfall of the kingdom. The local barons were summoned..."
at this point, Yenny completes her morning prayers, and in a semi-trancelike state shakes the hand or touches Jobin and the half dozen guards. Jobin looks on, bemused, and when the gnome has finished her business, he looks at her, unsmiling.
"I trust your questions have been answered, my bold gnomish friend? In the old days, such actions would be considered quite offensive. I suppose in these times one cannot be too careful."
He removes his sword and scabbard from his belt and hands it to one of his escorts. Jobin then prays in a chanting voice. When done he begins to walk to each member of the party. He starts with Yenny, placing his hand on her head...
Actions?