Chapter 17 - Delve Deux into the Orcless Orc Stronghold

[Zhym]

"I don't reckon you and I can kill 70 orcs all at once," Angus answers Hyde. "Now, if we had Arnulf's snooze missile and Ilfrien's skill at killing things and Hellebore's sheer general cussedness—well, 70 orcs is still a mighty big herd. But it sure would be fun trying it with all them folk, wouldn't it?" Angus sighs, missing his friends.

He nods to the orc. "This feller here done held up his end of the bargain. Are we fixing on going on, or heading back up to rest for a spell? If'n we're gonna go rest, we might as well escort him back to the surface all polite like."

[AleBelly]

The environment in the orc stronghold seems to disagree with Kablamicus just as he's reunited with his injured owl. Yenny invokes Veles' power of healing upon the unfortunate bird. Its wound heals completely, expelling the bolt with the help of Kablamicus' tender hand.

Dandelion asks a few more questions regarding denizens of this place. The captive orc reports about six giants lizards in the locked room. He's aware of only one wizard, and he never sees the human. Access to his quarters is completely forbidden. Rank and file like him fear the mage and keep their distance anyway. Dandelion also finds that these were the last of the orcs to escape the city when it fell to the king's forces. Some fled off into the wilderness, but those that were trapped took shelter in the underground dwelling.

Several paths forward have been suggested - 1) Honor their end of the deal and release the orc above ground, 2) Kill off the giant lizards 3) Continue on down to the level below.

Actions?

Date: 29 Culling, Year 44
Time: 7:08
Conditions: 44F, damp
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Yenny's bracelet, Angus' bullseye lantern through 10:15, Hyde's torch through 7:15
Injuries: Yenny, Angus barely wounded; Hyde, Kablamicus, Dandelion lightly wounded; Galan, Figgis moderately wounded

[Bluehorse]

Kablamicus

Grins and picks up the bolt. Thank you, Yenny. And thank you to your god. Look Sophomore! I can make you a perch from it as a war trophy! ................ Seriously? How can you say such a thing after we risked so much to get you back. Yenny called down the power of A GOD! to help your feathery hide, and that is what you say.... Oh Fuu on you too! Ungrateful, overgrown, chickadee... Next time... I will FEED you to the orcs... on a nice platter with some garnish. I hear they like mushrooms.... I was NOT weeping! As he continues to argue with his friend... well, they seem back to normal... Kablamicus walks over to the corpse with the note and examins both. Hush, you damn feather duster! What do you make of this?

[onlyme]

Dandelion votes for 3, figuring the quicker the better. But, as always, she awaits the others, figuring she couldnt take all the orcs on herself.

[tkrexx]

They know we be hyah, ain't no surprisin' them, no, Hyde thinks aloud. Won't be so easy from hyah on in. How many more magics do we have, hah?

[AleBelly]

Sophomore, now fully healed, goes right back to bickering with the mage he serves.

Dandelion, bearing only superficial wounds, expresses a desire to delve deeper while others don't yet commit to a decision.

Two more days, then Dandelion will win the vote!

[Bluehorse]

I thought the woman always won anyway?

[enn.in.me]

Yenny is thoughtful for a bit after hearing what the orc has to say. She turns to him as Dandelion finishes, "Your people here will be destroyed. They are too close to the city and even if not by us, it is only a matter of time. What do you think the chances are of them leaving peacefully under safe conduct and rejoining the rest of your people farther away?"

[Bluehorse]

What did the note say? In case you missed that K and Sophomore picked it up

[AleBelly]

I did miss that! Somehow didn't make it into my notes when I outlined my post - sorry...

After the bickering subsides, Kablamicus unpins the note from the ripe-smelling humanoid. He immediately recognizes the script on the outside of the note as Elven, spelling out a few words.

Not for orcs!

The mage, not being an orc, flips open the paper. The script, written in very fine ink, shows an elegant penmanship that is in sharp contrast to the crude message within. The mage's brow furrows...not that anyone can tell under his ridiculous floppy hat.

You DICKS!

Do you have ANY appreciate for how hard it was to get those four here - and keep them here? I'm like totally pissed, man!

Whatever - or whoever you are, you're fucked! I'm going to find out whatever you are and I will make a totally great plan to kill you all. Your only hope to survive is to blow on out of here. Or come down and parley with yours truly. And maybe if the vibes are right we could become buds. But I don't know...I'm overamped still.

Kished,
Renald

Meanwhile, Yenny asks the captive orc if the others would leave peacefully. The gnome is answered with a snort. "Boss want the city back bad. Real bad. He never leave. Other stupids will follow him."

[enn.in.me]

Yenny, to Orc prisoner: "So if boss were to die, would others still want to stay? Would a new boss take them out? What if you were the new boss?"

[Zhym]

Angus rolls his eyes. "Well, ain't that just grand. We got us a new enemy. I was getting lonely without all the old ones."

"Are we fixing to press on now, or go back up and rest a spell?"

[tkrexx]

Hyde scratches his head. Who be Kished Renald, hah?

[onlyme]

Dandelion comments on the well-practiced penmanship, noting that everyone should be taught such skills.
She doesnt comment on the message, instead just twirls her tridents.

[Bluehorse]

Kablamicus

Sorry all, my posting rate is way down due to the time of year. The next couple weeks will be very touch-and-go. please feel free to npc K as you need to.

The wizard scoffs and points to the note. Not exactly a Hemmingway, is he? Seems someone is upset with the help. Kablamicus looks over. We do have more immediate problems to deal with... what do we do about the grand snake over there? He gestures to the snake and tries to estimate how long it will be occupied with its current meal.

[AleBelly]

The subtlety of Yenny's question is lost on the simple orc, but he offers a straightforward reply. "When he dies another takes his place. Will still take orders from humans. I'm not strong enough to be leader. They kill me right away, the strong ones will."

The cantankerous wizard looks nervously into the next room at the giant snake. They estimate at least 20-30 minutes before it's done with its meal if left alone.

Angus tries to reach consensus on heading down or out...

Date: 29 Culling, Year 44
Time: 7:15
Conditions: 44F, damp
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Yenny's bracelet, Angus' bullseye lantern through 10:15, Hyde's torch through 7:15
Injuries: Yenny, Angus barely wounded; Hyde, Kablamicus, Dandelion lightly wounded; Galan, Figgis moderately wounded

[enn.in.me]

Yenny's ears perk up at the orc's answer. "Which humans is that?"

[Bluehorse]

Kablamicus

Advises his friends on the snake situation. Ahem... If I may, which I must insist, We best get out now... take our... guest... out as we promised. The... eh... housing authorities would have a nice comfortable place for him. He will likely find it quite cozy there.
Then we can come back more prepared for that he says pointing at the snake. Perhaps bring something docile and dispoable for it to feed on while we move around and chop it with some gran ax or something or other...

[Zhym]

"I feel like I done been standing here for weeks," says Angus, getting all meta. "Reckon we better hie us on back up top and rest a spell, or mosey on forward. If we go back, this here orc can tell us more about the place. If we go on, we can get past the snake without having to put it down first. 'Course, if we scoot on by without killing it and have to come back, we got to fight it then. Or feed it."

He looks to see if there's a way to approach the snake from the side. "Anyone got a notion against us just dealing with it now?"

[Bluehorse]

"I feel like I done been standing here for weeks," says Angus, getting all meta. "Reckon we better hie us on back up top and rest a spell, or mosey on forward. If we go back, this here orc can tell us more about the place. If we go on, we can get past the snake without having to put it down first. 'Course, if we scoot on by without killing it and have to come back, we got to fight it then. Or feed it."

He looks to see if there's a way to approach the snake from the side. "Anyone got a notion against us just dealing with it now?"

Not a bad idea... I have a spell... Stinking Cloud that might be able to incapacitate him. Make it easier to kill it... maybe he will even just choke on his lunch in the process... I also have one last barrage of magic missiles.