The Unseen Servant forums

"Is but a tonic." says Joshua. "I can make such in my down time. It requires no great servitude in appreciation. I do not take advantage of those who aid me. Keep it. Perhaps it will be of use. I have a couple more."
The group heads towards the keep through the Theater district, across the river and to the keep court. The small army of mercenaries have dispersed in your absence but a guard rushes to get the captain when they see you've arrived. He meets you at the door.
"Where is the guard I sent with you?" he asks. "You've barely been gone long enough to reach the volcano, much less return. Was there an incident?"

Throm replies "You could say that. We killed some orcs not far from here. An there was a merchant traitor that we sent back here with the guard. You tellin me they hadn't arrived?"

Craxzus- Addresses Joshua. Sorry I did not wish to offend you, but your profession has a bad history.


When they arrive in the Captains office. Sir, we sent your guard back the day we left with a prisoner
named Francis. He is a Smith and supplied the Orcs with weapons.

Eirenaios speaks to the guard, "We had help from a new friend who should be valuable to our coming mission, he....took us to a shortcut of sorts, take us to the captain" he says unable to stop smiling.

The captain nods. "I see. No my man has not returned with this smith...Francis?" The guard whispers in his captains ears and his brow furrows. "I see." says the captain, "This man is a vagrant and a scoundrel apparently, but a coward.
I'm sure they'll be along in time."
He eyes Joshua but continues "It is ill news that the orcs will be better armed for the fight to come. But what of the orcs? If they do not March here than where? The village of Midway would be a easy mark but that would place our forces in between them and their crater retreat."

Craxzus- They travel the mines this way. I believe heading this direction.

"The...." the captain starts looking to the north. "Blast me for a fool! Ironton woulda sent a signal if they were attacked...unless that demon bitch had a mole there as well! " he whispers something to the guard next to him who sprints away immediately.
"It's almost a two day march through the Iron Road. It's been two days now since we discovered the demons treachery. If the orcs took a day to sack Ironton, we may have a day to prepare, if the gods smile on us. A risky gamble the orcs took but without Ironton warning us we'd have been caught with our dongs out for sure!"
The captain rubs his chin as a bell tolls in the distance.
"They'll have reached the midpoint of the tunnels, or soon will. I wonder if they'll camp and rest for the battle ahead or chug on..."
The guard returns "The men are weary from the wait, captain, but are assembling in the court again."

Throm will relay the rest of the information the necromancer was able to get from his undead orcs. "It gets worse captain. They got some device they're gonna use ta try n blow a hole in the walls ta get in here."

The captain nods. "That negates a plan to hold down the fort and defend from within the safety of these walls... what then do we do? It could be another few days before we are reinforced from the town's south."

Eirenaios almost presenting Joshua to the captain, "That is why we should use this device against them, collect the troops by the tunnel's opening, Joshua here will blow the device up killing many of them and possibly collapsing the tunnel atop the rest. I am sure you don't want the tunnel to collapse but it's better than a drawn out fight where half the troops die and risk the town to fall"

"First lieutenant. " barks the captain and the guard snaps to attention. "Double the guard at the gate to the Iron Road immediately and tell them to bring a signal horn with them. Get the other men fed and give them a couple hours rest then have them assembled near the north gate. "
"Sir!" the guard salutes and runs off.
"Let's go back and collect the master of the keep and discuss options. " says the captain to the party, turning to go inside.

Throm adds his two cents "Might wanna add some archers over near tha iron road an have em ready with flamin arrows.
Might help us ta try an blow them orcs up before they reach tha town."

Craxzus- Is there anything that can be made that will explode when dropped from the sky, but light enough for a hawk to carry. He looks towards the ironsmiths.

Eirenaios nods and follows the captain inside

"We are NO sorcerers. " the captain says to Craxzus. "And our only apothecary merely provides for injury and ailments. I doubt a hawk could carry enough oil even to make much difference."
He turns to Throm and nods. "Guards are being sent now to double what currently watch the gates to the Iron Road. They will signal with horns if our enemies arrive early."
You are escorted back inside and up to Master Ryan's chambers.
"Sorry to wake you, sir." says the captain rapping at the door.

(will post more in a bit)

Craxzus- Realizing that this is not a big city with tinkerers and potion experts. Tries to think of a another idea in stopping the orcs with the least amount of casualties on there side.

"Nonsense. " says the older master Ryan putting on a cloak. "I'm glad you've all returned safe, and with a new companion I see. What's the report?"
The captain clears his throat and sighs. "The orc hoard has sacked Ironton."
"Blast us for fools!" proclaims Ryan. "The Iron Road!" he scratches at his beard. "A risky road to take. How much time have we?"
"Based on our friends here report, they might be here in a matter of hours. Best guess is 12. Might be longer."
"Excellent. " smiles Ryan. "We have a few options before us. Closing the tunnel on this end only slows the attack. They would undoubtedly just retreat and take the long way around. " he begins to pace. "They wouldn't risk that narrow pass if they knew that their demon has been found out. If they knew what we know." he says.
"Agreed." says the captain. "We can have a surprise ready for them at the gate of the road,
But I'm not sure how to proceed." he folds his arms in thought. "Another thing, sir. We're told they carry an explosive...device of sorts. Designed to rend the walls of the keep."
The old mans eyebrows raise. "So It could also collapse the Iron Road...I'd rather that not happen but many lives could be saved..." he continues pacing then stops and looks to your party. "What say you, then? Are their options we miss?"

Throm retells the plan "Well long o the short o it sir would be we set off their explosive as they rush between the iron road an the keep blowin em up fore they reach ere. Hopefully aint destroyin the road none. Then again we kinda hoped it would cause it gives us even more time ta round up an army."

Eirenaios nods at Throm's suggestion and Master Ryan's comments, "While I understand the reluctance to blow up the tunnel I think it's our best shot to limit casualties, closing the tunnel is also a great idea, he turns to their new friend the mage, "Do you have the means to blowing up that device if we close up the tunnel?"

Craxzus- A barage of Flaming arrows might work if they hit the exposive.