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Newton

Hoping to distract the orcs from the others to the south, he races to the east and then circles around to the group when he's far enough from the orcs not to be seen.

shaidar wrote:Newton

Hoping to distract the orcs from the others to the south, he races to the east and then circles around to the group when he's far enough from the orcs not to be seen.

Newton quickly outpaces the orcs, heading east, then south, before buttonhooking back westwards. It takes about ten minutes, but before too long he hits the river a bit south of his companions, and heads back northwards.
The Rest of the Party

Their break almost over, there's a commotion to the south of the party, coming back up towards them on the river bank. The mercenaries and ironskins grab their bows. Luckily, Newton is recognized before arrows fly.

Newton brings his horse to a stop and the others can't fail to notice the arrows sticking out of him and the wounds.

He slides to the ground.

"Orcs, six of them. Three archers. About quarter mile to the north, we need to stop them reporting back"

Feargus

Feargus is smiling. "Time to go. We need to close northward and catch the orcs unaware. Patrols will head out of their stronghold as soon as possible. Did Valru make it back?"

The_Wanderer wrote:Feargus

Feargus is smiling. "Time to go. We need to close northward and catch the orcs unaware. Patrols will head out of their stronghold as soon as possible. Did Valru make it back?"

Gardo

Seeing Newton's condition, Gardo quickly moves towards his mount. "You must have thought you were me. Although I normally only take on five at a time. You want to come with me so we can return their arrows to them and I give them a stern talking to?"

He looks to Newton, his face serious. "Joking aside, you are lucky. We need you around, get healed up. Let us take care of this. A few people need to stay with him here in case the orcs somehow figure out he came here. Notai, Wulfka, Valru! Let's go show these orcs how to really fight."

Newton looks chagrined and nods.

He starts by casting CLW on himself.

Zellar

Zellay lays on hands for any remaining points of damage Newton isn't able to heal himself, then quickly mounts Thunderhoof, readies her scimitar, and rides forth with her companions to destroy the orcs.


Sigmari An

Sigmari readies her bow, mounts Nightspirit, and follows at the back of the party, keeping a wary eye on the trees.

shaidar wrote:Newton looks chagrined and nods.

He starts by casting CLW on himself.

Fifthmonth, Twentyfifthday
Hex 230.123

Newton is quickly healed, and the party moves northwards, cautiously, towards the location where Newton encountered the orcs. They reach the scene, as is evidenced by a handful of broken arrows on the ground, but there is no sign of orcs to be seen.

Newton dismounts and looks for tracks.

thirdkingdom wrote:Fifthmonth, Twentyfifthday
Hex 230.123

Newton is quickly healed, and the party moves northwards, cautiously, towards the location where Newton encountered the orcs. They reach the scene, as is evidenced by a handful of broken arrows on the ground, but there is no sign of orcs to be seen.

Newton looks around. Based on the signs left behind, it looks as though the orcs followed him towards the east, into the woods. Whether or not they were able to stay on the trail, and could be expected to eventually come up from behind them, or they are currently lost in the woods, is anyone's guess.

beniliusbob wrote:Alwen Nar

Nar sidles up to Ribar and Goshawk. "Have you any knowledge of what's in that mound? Perhaps there might be gold... I'm not above getting paid for our trip, if you know what I mean. And the caravan is so slow, they could hardly leave us behind if they tried!"

Is the factor specifically surveying the mound?

thirdkingdom wrote:

beniliusbob wrote:Alwen Nar

Nar sidles up to Ribar and Goshawk. "Have you any knowledge of what's in that mound? Perhaps there might be gold... I'm not above getting paid for our trip, if you know what I mean. And the caravan is so slow, they could hardly leave us behind if they tried!"

Is the factor specifically surveying the mound?

If you guys want to do a quick delve that is fine with me; I can certainly run it in parallel with what is going on now.

Ribar

"It's worth taking a look while we're here"

Goshawk
"Ok. Let's do this. I'm not sure the caravan will wait for us so we either need to finish quickly or part company for now."

Ribar

"Well, we've stopped for the night so we got few hours to take a look"

Alwen Nar

"Ha, ha! Attaboys!"

Nar readies his sword, checks his mail, and makes sure his horse is hobbled, then marches for the mound with a spring in his step.

Zellar

"There's no telling where the orcs are now. If we try to catch them, they may circle around us yet again and make it back to their camp before we can effect surprise.

"I say we ride on, fast and hard, and try to launch our assault immediately. I always prefer care and caution, but in every war there is a moment for boldness, and I think the time is now."

beniliusbob wrote:Alwen Nar

"Ha, ha! Attaboys!"

Nar readies his sword, checks his mail, and makes sure his horse is hobbled, then marches for the mound with a spring in his step.

Fifthmonth, Twentyfifthday
Hex 236.131

The three companions leave the caravaneers to their meal and backtrack to the mound. It's getting dark, and potentially too late to enter the barrow. They do make a circle of the mound, though. It is tree covered, most of the trees as old as those surrounding it. On the north side the adventurers espy a great round stone rolled against the base of the mound, as if it were sealing an opening.