Chapter 1: King's Festival - And so it begins...

[GreyWolfVT]

forgive me if there is more role-play to be had I have moved to the next part of the game if too fast sorry I was just moving things forward.

The next morning: Adventure Awaits!

After a good meal and a chat with each other, you settle down to sleep in a comfortable bed with clean linen. Just before dawn you wake to the sound of shouting in the streets, and you can see flickering flames through your window! Hurriedly, you dress, grab your possessions, and go outside. Townsfolk and travelers mill about, some crying in panic or fear. You see that the small temple in the town is ablaze! A tall man dressed in gray robes walks over toward you and begs for your help. “The orcs have raided us! They have burned our temple, and Aralic the Priest cannot be found. They must have kidnapped him! The wretched orcs have to be found and slain, or they will be back to loot and kill again. Two of our people are dead. Will you help?” At once, another man, older with graying hair and angry eyes, wearing leathers steps forward beside the gray robed fellow and holds out his arms to you. “If you want to follow the orcs, I can track ’em for you. One bunch of warriors has already gone off looking, but they’ve got the wrong trail. I can show you how to find ’em. My name is Janner and I want to help. My son lies dead from their swords.” His voice breaks as he points into the distance, where the orcs have gone. Here is the adventure you sought! There are evil orcs to fight, a goodly cleric to rescue, and maybe treasure in the caves you are told the orcs inhabit!

Actions?

[Xaxyx]

Urtesi Saviesa

"A strange thing for orcs to do. Attack a town, to burn only the temple? Kidnap a priest?" Urtesi says, stroking his chin. "Yes, strange behavior indeed. What profit would there be in such actions? Orcs are far too simple creatures to resort to kidnapping." Turning to the human in robes, Urtesi looks him over. "Tell me, what god does the temple serve?"

[tarlyn]

Delsenora Hun'ana

Inwardly, Delsenora agrees with Urtesi. Orcs are far too cowardly to do this on their own. Someone or something must be guiding them.

She awaits the man's response.

[Rex]

Egon

Speaking to Janner. "Let the elves talk, I will look at the way they went with you, I know something of tracking." As they head off, "I am sorry for your loss, we will find out why and put an end to this Janner."

[GreyWolfVT]

Urtesi Saviesa

"A strange thing for orcs to do. Attack a town, to burn only the temple? Kidnap a priest?" Urtesi says, stroking his chin. "Yes, strange behavior indeed. What profit would there be in such actions? Orcs are far too simple creatures to resort to kidnapping." Turning to the human in robes, Urtesi looks him over. "Tell me, what god does the temple serve?"

The tall man dressed in gray robes replies "Lathander, that was the church of the morning lord."

[tarlyn]

Delsenora Hun'ana

Delsenora's eyes narrow. Lathander? That is father's faith.

Turning to Janner she offers her condolences Terribly sorry for your loss, sir. I shall help all I can to bring the Orcs their proper due.

Looking at Urtesi Do you believe as I that these Orcs are being led by someone or something? Orcs are too cowardly a lot to attack a town

from what I know of them and have been taught. Is it worth it to inspect the scene?

[shaidar]

Weston Turville

Weston looks concerned "I know little of orcs, but it does seem a little strange. If the church is aflame then I would imagine there is little left to tell us much, even if it is safe to enter. Perhaps we should follow as quickly as we can so we minimise the head start they have"

He addresses the man in grey robes "Is there anyone seriously injured that requires magical healing?"

[Captain Kinkajou]

Elanriel

At the sounds of alarm coming from outside, Elanriel hurriedly gets up, throws on her gear and heads out into the pre-dawn. She is immediately swept up in a confusion of swirling smoke and milling townsfolk. One of the nearby buildings is ablaze and there are cries that the orcs have attacked in the night. For a moment she is not sure what to do but then she spots several of her companions from the previous evening talking intently with a couple of the townsfolk, so she goes over to them to see what is going on.

[GreyWolfVT]

Egon

Speaking to Janner. "Let the elves talk, I will look at the way they went with you, I know something of tracking." As they head off, "I am sorry for your loss, we will find out why and put an end to this Janner."

Janner looking sorrowful "There is little we can do for my boy, besides find the evil that did this to him and return the priest Aralic.I know the trail that these orc tracks lead off to it will take about 3-4 hours to get to the orcs' caves as that is where this trail leads. If you are going to go after the orcs I suggest you gather your gear and headout soon."

[tarlyn]

Delsenora

Very well, Janner. I shall get my gear

The Dark Elf returns to her room, gathering her gear and returns outside to the others, ready.

[shaidar]

Weston retrieves his backpack from the Inn as well.

[LtTibbles]

Talrand Bren

The young mage takes in the utter chaos the orcs have unleashed upon the town seemingly thunderstruck. "This is terrible... we must rescue the Priest, if we don't make haste he could be dead before we get there!" The young sprints back to his room to retrieve the rest of his belongings.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Elanriel

Elanriel follows the others back to the inn, grabs her backpack with her remaining belongings in it, and then hurries back outside, ready to set off after the orcs and the kidnapped priest.

[Rex]

Egon

Egon checks to make sure he has everything, then assembles his bow and slings his pack and shield on his back. "If no one minds I will take point. Janner, stay just behind me but keep me true to the trail."

As soon as everyone is ready, Egon heads out, being extra alert.

[Dram]

Xlore- Follows the others in collecting their gear. Then meets the others outside. Ishall follow second. When we the Orcs den four pair of trap searching eyes will be better.

[GreyWolfVT]

Orc Caves: Adventure Lies Within

You follow Janner at a slow walking pace as he traces a trail that you can only see part of the time a blood stain in the grass here, a tuft of material or hair there, some heavy footmarks in damp patches. But after a couple of hours Janner stops and points to some foothills about two miles in the distance. “There”, he says. “Head for those caves. That’s where the orcs’ll be. I wish I could come with you, but an old man like me would slow you down.” Though he clearly wishes he could fight with you, Janner turns and heads back to Stallanford. You march on warily, and soon you see a hilly mound with an unmistakable narrow, dark entrance. You are a hundred feet or so away, but the rock cover is such that you can probably get a lot closer without being detected. What plans will you make against the orcs within?

Actions?

[Rex]

Egon

"Do you want to scout ahead with me XLore? Everyone else can stay here, once we get closer to the cave we will signal you to move forward or come back for you. If you hear screaming run for us, we need you. Any other ideas?"

[LtTibbles]

Talrand Bren keeps his voice low even if it's not needed, "If things do get out of control I could put anything chasing guys to sleep well, theoretically at least...

[Captain Kinkajou]

Elanriel

Elanriel looks determined, ready and a little nervous. She doesn't have anything to add, so she crouches in silence next to Delsenora at the back and waits for the signal... or screaming.

[Xaxyx]

Urtesi Saviesa

"I would recommend against splitting up," Urtesi suggests. "Scouting ahead a bit is fine, but not so far as to be out of sight. Should you spring an orc ambush, I should think you would want us to come swiftly to your aid."