Chapter 17 - Delve Deux into the Orcless Orc Stronghold

[tkrexx]

Hyde looks away from the mutilated reptile toward the bound Orc and glares, almost as a warning of what may indeed befall the captive should it misbehave. Dandelion wisely disembowels the snake, seeking any undigestables, and causing a horrendous stench. The brutal Half-Orc whiffs and grins his awful grin. Now that's a healthy fart, yeahh!

[Zhym]

Angus sighs wistfully. "A stench like that, it makes me miss Arnulf, it does."

[onlyme]

Dandelion shrugs it off and nods at the suggestion to move on.

[Nuke66]

Galen agrees, "Let's move on."

[AleBelly]

Only two hours after beginning their foray into the orc stronghold, the party leaves with their loot and the captive orc. They retrace their steps the way they came, encountering no further foes. They use the wood to guard against the falling stala-whatevers on the way out. Interestingly, the captive orc is completely surprised by these things - they weren't there when the orcs retreated into the ground over a year ago.

Eventually they surface. The guards near the entrance smile malevolently at the captive orc. But the party tells them of the plan to free him at the edge of town they are incredulous. "What the heck?!" asks one of the guards - only he uses a different expression ending in -ck. But they see the resolution in the party to hold their word. The soldiers, acknowledging the party has lost one of their own below, begrudgingly cede to the party. But they won't likely be inviting them to the Blade and Bow for ale anytime soon.

And so the party escorts the orc to the edge of town and cuts the rope that binds its hands. It begins to sketch out a map of the third level below, but he apologetically says that he doesn't visit often and it's not worth much.

I will post this soon.

There is unfinished business down below, but the party has availed of some XP. Each member gets 279 xp. The loot includes:

2043 silver pieces
36 electrum pieces
A scroll case picked up by Galan

Tamerlaine has not been on for two months - hope he's ok. Feel free to discuss how to split money and what to do with the scroll case...and plan for the next adventure. Look for xp adjustments in your private forum.

[enn.in.me]

So we have most of a day to kill before night? And we have already, I think, fairly well explored this little outpost town before we headed down. I wonder if we have any subterfugy types that might be able to get a handle on who is communicating with the orcs below and how.

[Zhym]

Are we in reasonably good shape to head back down now?

[enn.in.me]

I think aside from being out of spells and hit points..(I'm only low on spells).

[onlyme]

Dandelion has a few scratches, but nothing some cover-up wont cure.

[tkrexx]

Hyde gives the Orc a swift kick once it's purpose has been served, a signal that it should skedaddle before the resident guards decide to over-rule the party's call to allow it freedom. I be hungry, yeahh. I bet by tomarra them Orcs down unda be knowin' we was tearin' around in their pantry, hah? I bet they be reinforcin' the place and settin' traps. Ain't gonna be so easy from now on, no.

[enn.in.me]

"I agree, but it's interesting that they don't know about the stalactite monsters. They must have stayed away from that end of the place for quite some time. Maybe the snake and those other creatures scared them off. Maybe the stalactites will spear a few of them for us.

What do you think the chances are that they might try something tonight. I wonder if we ought to see if the locals might want to up the guard. They could get a little feisty tonight."

[Zhym]

I don't suppose there's any magical healing available in town, is there? Some of us are getting to be too high a level to be spending a couple of hours in a dungeon then bailing because we've used all our healing spells. But unless we can add more clerics, the only way to boost the time we can spend in-dungeon is by stocking up on healing.

We do have the first aid kits, which I keep forgetting exist, but they only heal a few HP and can be used at most once per day.

Also, I'd hate to have any reason for this thread to move any more slowly than it already has.

[Bluehorse]

Kablambicus

The mage looks shocked that the orc wasn't delivered directly to the authorities. He leans in to Yenny, speaking at a loud whisper. We're just going to let it roam loose? Isn't there a nice jail, or a mill we can put it to work in? A wheel in the middle of nowhere where he can push it for the next many years until he is fit to be sold as a gladiator?

[Zhym]

"We done made a deal," chides Angus. "When we promise man—or orc—what he can go free if he squawks information we need, then that's what happens. Why're we talking about this?"

[enn.in.me]

"I agree. I may not take much seriously, but I do try to keep my word. Plus, you never know when the gods may send repayment on a good deed. Of course, it's hard know when they might mess with you too. But really, one disgruntled orc, more or less, is unlikely to make a big difference. Except for the disgruntled orc down there that's running that show. Him, we kill! And the humans behind him ought to end up serving a long sentence. Maybe on the end of a short rope."

[Nuke66]

Galan puts his two coppers in. "We should rest, and see what this here scroll is." He takes out the case and opens it, he looks to see if it is arcane or divine.

[Bluehorse]

Kablambicus

Seems about to voice another argument but quickly forgets it as the scroll is pulled forth and he clapd his jaw shut quickly moving to examine the scroll over his companion's shoulder.

[onlyme]

Dandelion watches and listens for the answers.

[AleBelly]

Debate continues over the fate of the captive orc, but Hyde kicks its butt, sending it on its way. But it does have its end of the bargain to fulfill. It takes pen and paper and begins to sketch the third floor of the orc stronghold...then stops. He looks sheepishly at Yenny and Angus, who have been his most steadfast supporters. "You go down the stairs, but the door is guarded by two 'ekbon ogunrin.' I'm not allowed further. I know it is dining hall and kitchen for the chief. And that's where he lives - with his women. I am forbidden there."

The more scholarly of the group recognize 'ekbon ogunrin' as a very deferential way orcs refer to ogres.

In the meantime, Galan and Kablamicus unfurl the scroll from its case. Galan's gnomish face falls as he recognizes no illusionist's script. Kablamicus realizes the scroll, probably only a single spell, has been written in a magical language that he cannot decipher without the aid of his magical powers.

Regarding stocking up on healing, there really aren't those kind of services in this crappy little town. You're always welcome to try to recruit more clerics...

[onlyme]

... there really aren't those kind of services in this crappy little town....

You sure you ain't a Realtor?

Dandelion awaits the others with more pressing concerns. She is wounded, like many, but her early morning Zumba classes have kept her in enough shape to continue.