Chapter 2c - The Bunker

[MonkeyWrench]

Ilfrien looks up at Korok as he exits the bunker, and pauses in the middle of tying Arlandria's cloak-wrapped corpse to her pony.

"Well, that could have gone better. Sorry we didn't keep on, but I had no interest in dying in that hallway in pursuit of what is probably worthless trinkets. Besides, we've already learned something from the encounter at least." She shrugs and goes back to tying.

Korok shrugs as he walks towards Ilfrien, helping with tying down Arlandria if necessary, after a moment's silence he speaks up, "I doubt you would have died, too stubborn... You didn't know the Orcs had a city?"

[Keehnelf]

"I guess if pressed I would have assumed so. I've been keeping my eyes open for it because they seem well-organized enough to need something like that, but I didn't know. Did you know about it?"

[Zorroroaster]

Eduard steps outside into the light, clearly upset and frustrated. The sight of Arlandria's body being trussed to the pony like so much baggage doesn't help his mood. He turns to the others.

"What happened? Being at the back, I couldn't see worth a damn, and hardly knew what was going on before all hell broke loose. One of us has paid the price, and it's our collective fault.

I'm not interested in blaming anyone, but we need to decide how to handle Finbarr and his people. Do we walk away with our tails tucked and potentially new enemies next time we venture out, or do we try and sort this out diplomatically?"

[Keehnelf]

Ilfrien looks from Arlandria's body to Eduard's face and back again, a bit confused.

"My plan was to scout and get a sense of their nature and disposition, but someone called their attention to our presence and I was caught out. I tried to fight my way through them when it seemed like things had started to get dangerous out in the main hall, but clearly we were outmatched."

She frowns and then looks around. "I should have been the only one in there to scout. That's the idea behind scouting. We don't all get ourselves in danger if things go poorly. That was stupid. I didn't learn anything except that they had archers and other men before the fighting started, which was stupid."

She turns back toward the bunker's entrance."These guys are assholes and I don't think we'll get much out of working with them, but we can at least try to keep them from killing us on sight. I bet there are plenty of them out there."

[MonkeyWrench]

"I guess if pressed I would have assumed so. I've been keeping my eyes open for it because they seem well-organized enough to need something like that, but I didn't know. Did you know about it?"

Korok shrugs again, "I know orcs. If it's a clan or a smaller party then we wouldn't have only run into some pathetic scouts. And with them carrying around gold and not being welcome into Vaul they had to have some type of place to exchange it for things, Smaller raiding clans don't care about money because most of their things are taken from raids. So, a city makes sense. Probably along one of the nearby mountains for a more fortified position." After the uncharacteristically long speech regarding information and a quick witted mind that he does not show, Korok remains silent.

[Keehnelf]

Ilfrien nods slowly, her mouth turned into a thoughtful frown. "Good points. I'll remember that. We make a good team--you're the brain and I'm the muscle." She smiles before turning toward the others who approach from inside.

[MonkeyWrench]

Eduard steps outside into the light, clearly upset and frustrated. The sight of Arlandria's body being trussed to the pony like so much baggage doesn't help his mood. He turns to the others.

"What happened? Being at the back, I couldn't see worth a damn, and hardly knew what was going on before all hell broke loose. One of us has paid the price, and it's our collective fault.

I'm not interested in blaming anyone, but we need to decide how to handle Finbarr and his people. Do we walk away with our tails tucked and potentially new enemies next time we venture out, or do we try and sort this out diplomatically?"

Korok simply shrugs, "I was behind you. I wouldn't hold your breath on diplomacy, I doubt they or anyone they meet after here, will have a strong disposition towards us. I agree, doesn't matter who's fault it is but relations between Alleborg and the world just got worse." He speaks bluntly, not really caring about the relations of Alleborg.

[MonkeyWrench]

Ilfrien nods slowly, her mouth turned into a thoughtful frown. "Good points. I'll remember that. We make a good team--you're the brain and I'm the muscle." She smiles before turning toward the others who approach from inside.

Korok snorts in amusement, "Sure." He then watches as Eduard approaches from from the bunker opening.

[Keehnelf]

Eduard steps outside into the light, clearly upset and frustrated. The sight of Arlandria's body being trussed to the pony like so much baggage doesn't help his mood. He turns to the others.

"What happened? Being at the back, I couldn't see worth a damn, and hardly knew what was going on before all hell broke loose. One of us has paid the price, and it's our collective fault.

I'm not interested in blaming anyone, but we need to decide how to handle Finbarr and his people. Do we walk away with our tails tucked and potentially new enemies next time we venture out, or do we try and sort this out diplomatically?"

Korok simply shrugs, "I was behind you. I wouldn't hold your breath on diplomacy, I doubt they or anyone they meet after here, will have a strong disposition towards us. I agree, doesn't matter who's fault it is but relations between Vaul and the world just got worse." He speaks bluntly, not really caring about the relations of Vaul.

I think you mean Alleborg

[MonkeyWrench]

Whoops lol. Got my games mixed up, I guess that's what I get for writing up multiple stuff and being in so many games... Not like I'll stop though...

Fixing my post now.

[Zorroroaster]

Eduard breathes deeply, and turns toward the entrance.

"Seeing as how I neither killed anyone nor lied to them, perhaps my voice will be best suited to go back in and come to terms with them. I will go in alone, make our amends as best I can, and attempt to repair whatever relationship can be made of this. I can't make any promises, but I don't believe they will harm me unarmed as I am. Let's hope we can leave this place in peace without having their knives at our backs, whoever they are. I'll be back soon."

With that, Eduard disappears back through the door way into the darkness.

[AleBelly]

Date: 19 Rituals, Year 41
Time: 14:25
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Torches in sconces along wall

The party, sans Eduard, waits just outside the entrance as Eduard re-enters. They listen for sounds indicating the elf is in peril.

[tkrexx]

Hyde has been bawling like a widow, only louder, clutching the fabric containing poor Arlandria's body all this time. He stiffens when he realizes Eduard has gone in alone. His head snaps from one companion to another, waiting for direction. A second later he bolts toward the entrance, a worried growl building. He stops his momentum with both hands slapping the outside of the entrance, and shoves his head inside.

Keenly aware of how his voice carries, the short Half-Orc cuts loose with a guttural bellow. HEEEYYYYYYYY!! You don't hurt my good pal, hah? He's coming in alone, no arms! You don't kill him, don't molest him, don't take him for hostage, or I'll come in there and kill you all! Does that be a bargain, hah?

Hyde turns to look at his Fellows, wide-eyed with his index finger to his lips, and motions for Korok to approach. Again his booming voice echoes thru the corridor. Eduard, you call out when you get there, hah? You be ambushed, you call out. They make a mean face, you call out. I'll come running! I'll call for you from time to time. You don't call back, I'll come running, yeahh.

His gaze turning back to the party, Hyde whispers, Do ya think they heard me?

[Keehnelf]

Ilfrien just nods toward Hyde before turning to the others. "Applehead can't manage quite this much weight over the long haul. Should we ditch Arlandria's armor? It's a lot of burden for very little possible resale value. Same with her weapons and such."

[MonkeyWrench]

Korok looks over the corpse, "She was a good warrior, should be buried with her things. Was she a native of Alleborg? Could always bury her out here." He shrugs with the choice, not really caring either way.

[AleBelly]

The party hears Eduard's voice from inside the bunker. ""Hyde! I'm fine, don't worry. I will be out in a few minutes, you can tell the others."

[Zorroroaster]

Eduard emerges from the darkness of the bunker carrying their dropped equipment. He squints in the bright light and passes their gear around.

"We had best get moving. We can discuss things as we go. Single file until we hit the path again. Finbarr doesn't want this place discovered by enemies."

[MonkeyWrench]

Korok simply grunts in acknowledgement, ready to move out.

[AleBelly]

Date: 19 Rituals, Year 41
Time: 15:00
Conditions: 37F, breezy from the west
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Sun, 70 minutes to darkness

The party delays a decision on Arlandria's possessions; the pony is not the slowest mover in the party. They head back the way they came until they are back at the old road...well, really a path. The sun hangs low over the sky, peeking through scattering clouds and casting off beautiful red and orange hues.

Actions?

[Enoch]

Yana turns to look ad Eduard sadly. "No luck?"