Chapter 1: So it begins.

[Rex]

As far as size of feet goes a Warg is a very big wolf (I am using Wolf, Huge from the rules). I have tracked and interacted with real wolves in the wild, they have big paws (roughly 4x4 or 5 inches). I imagine a Warg would be roughly twice that. The print Solvi saw was bigger, at least 6x18, more shaped like a humans print roughly as opposed to a paw. The Orcs were streaked Orcs, smallest of the Orcs, their feet would be much smaller than a mans.

I will answer your other questions in the next post, latter today.

[Rex]

At the manor.

Doberry, "We arn't opening the draw bridge until they come back, that was the instructions. if you want out we can lower you over the wall and drop you in the moat."

[Rex]

In the forest.

Everyone circles back to the out crop.

farmer #1, "Ketil here is a bit gimp, he took a stone in the thigh can someone help from below and I will help from above."

Sir Kathel, "I will circle the out crop and make sure they are all gone for now. I have never seen Orcs this close to the village or the mine. I will need to send word to your father Brunis."

Toad to Solvi, "My Lady are you alright? The wound looks mighty ugly."

Looking around it looks like the Orcs were reluctant to expose themselves to climb the rocks after the farmers because there are several bodies of Orcs with arrows in them at the base of the rocks. Good thing you arrived when you did as the farmers were down to only a single arrow each. Looking them over it doesn't look like they have much, but the Orc Rider has a hide satchel hanging at his side.

After some help getting Ketil down farmer #1 speaks up again. "We were lucky to get here before they caught us, would have been goners for sure but we ran into Martin as he was headed for the village. Told us he had seen sign of Orcs with Wargs nearby and was heading to warn the village. We headed back right away and he turned and headed for his shack I think. Then just before we reached here we heard the sounds of the Wargs crashing through the brush towards us, must have picked our scent up."

Sir Kathel, after circling the out crop, "Nothing different, couple of dead Orcs, good work both of you, not easy to stare down a hoard like that. Lets get the injured on horseback and get back to the manor. We have much work to do and wounded to tend to."

Actions?

[alver]

Solvi, whose current appearance would probably scare smaller children, makes an unconcious movement, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand and leaving a smudge. "I will live, I was lucky it was not a bigger rock." She looks at Toad for a while, with a faint smile in the corner of her mouth. "You are a strange boy. Why did you protect me, instead of your master?" She starts looking around for her axe.

Meanwhile, Ingvar raises his spear and looks at it's tip. Is it still glowing?

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus takes the order and heads back to the manor by horse.

[VonAlric]

Spitting out a few curses, Rodbert takes a moment to calm down. A thought strikes him and he returns his attention to Doberry. "Since it looks like the fight is done and we wait for the group to return, we can continue our discussion before we were interrupted. I believe you were beginning to tell me your version of the events as the miners arrived here from the mine, how and what you investigated, and your findings from that. We have a fair amount of time since the drawbridge won't be lowered until they have returned and you will need to be attentive at that moment."

[LtTibbles]

Humfrey pulls up next to the injured Ketil and offers his hand to help pull him up.

"Must've been a nasty shot you took here, allow me to ride you back to the village." He offers a warm smile to the man. If/when the man takes his offer the priest will retrieve his thrown spear as well.

[Rex]

At the manor.

Doberry, "Sir Kathel and Squire Brunis investigated the mine and spoke with Martin the hermit. I wasn't with them for that. Sir Kathel feels Martin was hiding something but is not truly sure. I patrol at night with a member of the militia and pairs of 2 militia members patrol during the day. Sir Kathel and Squire Brunis also do some patrols at random. As far as the victims, we haven't found anything really. Some blood and shreds of clothing from 2 of the victims, nothing from the other 2. We think maybe they fought back. No one has seen or heard anything, very strange. We tried tracking the second victim, we found some blood and a piece of cloth, with a hound but it started acting very strange after only a few minutes and then suddenly refused to go any further. I am at a loss and I know Sir Kathel is as well." As Doberry goes on it is clear that he is frightened of whatever it is doing this. "Oh look, here they come. Lower the drawbridge Warner." With that Warner starts cranking on the winch to drop the drawbridge.

[Rex]

As everyone crosses over into the manor.

Sir Kathel "Warner get that drawbridge up and someone help with the injured. Brunis, get 2 of my other horses up and ready for you and I to ride soon and get the ostler to get all these taken care of." Dismounting he heads for his hall "Come along we have plans to make." Brunis heads for the stables and the ostler runs after him. Family rushes to the farmers and lots of questions seem to get asked in a jumble.

Once inside the hall.

Sir Kathel, "Brunis and I must ride for Wythian and Hesby Manors and warn them of the Orcs. We haven't had any Orcs this close in 50 years. I will try to bring back Friar Charl, if he is between villages he is a target and we could use his skills." As he rambles you notice he has the warg riders satchel in hand and is starting to rummage through it. "What is this?" he pulls out a wooden tube, "Why would an Orc have a scroll tube, very strange." Looking to Humfrey, "Would you mind looking this over Sir Humfrey? I can not read." He hands the tube over to Humfrey and then removes a pendant and ring from the bag. "More odd items for an Orc."

Actions?

[LtTibbles]

Humfrey carefully examines the tube finding the wax seal has been broken and a piece of vellum jammed poorly back into the tube. Examining the vellum he says "This appears to be the credentials of a herald, Sir Tavish, the man that was sent here from the Sherriff to speak with Sir Kathel. I would hazard yo guess the pendant and ring may also belong to Sir Tavish."

[alver]

Ingvar

The Ivinian sits on one end of a long bench in the hall, resting his feet and watching the events. Being inside the manor walls for the first time, it took him some time to find his way around with the place crowded with distressed villagers. He took his horse to the stable where there seemed to be some hay lying around on the floor. His sister is in the courtyard at the well, cleaning up.

Are the villagers using the hall as well or are they mostly kept outside?

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus tries to take all that is going on and gets a head ache wondering whats next. He merely paces around acting like a guard on patrol having little to do with "plans" or "deep thought" the man is a man of action and trusts in the more intelligent folk to figure the "smart" stuff out. "Why would an orc have those items it makes no sense and it makes my head ache." he finally says in his pacing.

[Rex]

Sir Kathel and Toad prepare to ride to the closest manors. They hope to return by before sunset the next day. He leaves Doberry in charge of the manor. None of the villagers are to leave the village, they can remain at the manor over night. Armed parties will be sent out to gather whatever is needed from the village and secure what they can.

Your group is given free reign to investigate the disappearances and aid in the defense of the village/manor as you can.

Doberry, "Maybe the Orcs killed the messenger and took his stuff for trophies."

The farmers who were trapped thank you, "I wonder if someone should go and check on Martin, if it hadn't been for him we would be dead."

I will post maps of the manor in the info thread.

[alver]

Ingvar

"All right! Sheamus, don't worry, I know a cure for that. Thinking too much that is." He raises his voice even more. "So, Doberry, what do you have to drink here? We're thirsty from a long day of riding and running around in the woods." He turns to the group, "Fellows, let's eat, drink and make plans. We know more about what is going on now."

I'm pretty convinced it should be getting dark now. When we first arrived there was two hours of daylight left.

[Rex]

Correct on time of day. I will try to start posting that with the location.

[VonAlric]

In the hall, Rodbert takes a moment to see who of the party is injured. Seeing Solvi has taken a major hit, he steps over beside her, places a hand on her shoulder and speaks. "Please be well."

Uses Cure Light Wounds talent on Solvi

Listening to the revelation of the orc's possession of the messenger's goods, he curses softly before speaking. "While that is a likely idea, Doberry, the more pressing fact is 'Why?'. Could it be that these orcs are being directed by someone? Would these orcs capture humans for a reason, instead of killing them?"

"Too many thoughts, too long of a day. Let's eat and rest. Tomorrow, I think we should see each place of people where the missing people were attacked. Finding and speaking with this Martin is beginning to sound more pressing as time passes. What say ye, Humfrey? Ingvar?"

[alver]

Solvi steps back in surprise and says, "I'm not sure if I should let you place your hexes on me, sorcerer. You hide your face so maybe you hide other things as well." Observing Rodbert, she adds, "I... suppose it is fine. I can see you do it without expecting anything in return. You are simply using your magic to make me stronger so that we can fight better in the next battle. I would not want to owe my thanks to some weak god, but to a fellow warrior it is fine."

OOC translation: thanks, VonAlric

Ingvar listens to Rodbert's comments, nodding. "I would very much like to meet this Martin myself. As for the places of attacks, we were able to look over the latest one. I'm not sure if there is anything left at the other places, as the sort of things we found would be washed away by rain and trampled by cows and such." He goes on to relay the findings, the large footprint, blood and the circumstances of Hakon's disappearance.

"The orcs, we can just kill them if they show up here. But I think our enemy is something different. Someone or something that can pass unseen, unheard, even in broad daylight. Something that does not mind attacking strong men right in the middle of the village... the enemy is not concerned about picking out the weak or those that stray away. You might know, Rodbert... you know of magic. Does it seem like this enemy is using magic?"

[VonAlric]

OOC: Forgot to roll the die for effect. That's what happens when you are trying to do things during a quick work break.

Cure Light Wounds: [1d6+1] = 4+1 = 5

[Rex]

The manor, past nightfall. All villagers in the manor (102 plus your party). The hall, stables loft and outside are being used for sleep. Doberry has manned the walls with a dozen men and the tower with 8 boys for 4 hour watches (mainly to ease the sleeping conditions somewhat).

The villagers are stressed and look haggard. Not much socializing going on. You don't learn much more than you already knew. The village reeve, Everard is locked in the tower cellar for not getting the harvest in. The villagers are protesting no success in stopping the disappearances. Martin seems to come up in conversation from time to time. Most think the Talaeda are responsible, but a small minority think it is a demon sent by one of the dark gods (never named of course). Talk of the spring raid and the summer reprisals is common. Word of the messengers possessions being found on the Orc seems to spread quickly and is the most talked about topic.

With the rising of the sun the village appears unmolested and very silent. a few hours latter Sir Kathel and Toad arrive with a third man in tow mounted on a riding horse. Friar Charl has arrived.

Actions? If there was anything you wanted to do before Sir Kathel returns slip it in and we will play it out before Sir Kathels return.

[VonAlric]

After waking up, Rodbert nudges Earnest. "Fetch the books, we need to find a quiet spot for my studying." Once they are retrieved, he will head to the cellar under the pretense of finding a quiet spot to study in. If any one tries to stop him, he will aggressively argue for the space, even to the point of pulling back his hood to reveal his face to lend emphasis to the request.

Once in the cellar, Earnest will "stand guard" to prevent anyone from "disturbing" him and Rodbert will go and speak with Everard about what he knows about the situation and why he delayed the harvest.