Disappointed their investigation of the letter lead to nothing Og and company spent their day among the locals of Red Larch and they heard several stories of orc raids from locals who have been displaced by the menace.  Many of them give scowling looks in Taten's direction but Og and Kynt smooth things over before it becomes a problem.  Concerned with the issue Og and Kynt agree they should help out.  Taten growls.."nothing like killing your own kind, bastards usually have shit for loot too." Yarabon has a wildness in her eyes one that makes her companions glad she's on their side.  She doesn't speak, seemingly incapable like a rabid dog focused on anything that could be a threat.  They leave the town seeking the reported orc horde.

The trail emerges from a dry gulch. A column of thick, black smoke rises at a slight angle over the trees. It looks like something is burning just over the next ridge.

The party picks up the pace heading over to the column of smoke.  As they approach they see.

A fiercely burning homestead is nestled in a small valley slightly below your position at the top of the ridge. The barn is a smoking ruin and the house is half consumed by fire. Panicked livestock scrambles about a fenced corral on the far side of the barn.

The group heads down to the burning farmstead.  Og and Kynt burst into the front door while Taten and Yarabon look for any threats on the outside.

The front room is filled with heat and smoke, and flames lick the ceiling. A slender half-elf with a bloody gash on his forehead is sprawled on the floor, feebly trying to rise. He struggles to sit up when he sees you. "Maygan!" he cries. "My wife! Please find her!" Then he collapses again in another fit of coughing.

Og grabs the man and carries him outside while Kynt searches the rest of the house but he finds it empty no remains or others trapped inside. He then follows suit and rushes back outside with the others. Taten and Yarabon have already found obvious tracks and after discussing with Selwyn he demands to go with the party to help find his wife. Some of the party begin to protest then see the certainty in the mans eyes and think better of it.

The group rushes ahead loud and ready for battle they catch up to the orcs in 30 minutes of heavy marching Four brutish orcs surround a wagon sitting in the shade of some stunted trees along a dry riverbed. Two human males in plain farming clothes have collapsed near the front of the vehicle. The wagons wheels are sunk several inches into the loose, sandy soil. A female human is in the wagon, among supplies and other loot.

The orcs lie dead at their feet but the woamn in the wagon is screaming and crying holding the lifeless body of Selwyn.  Her clothes are torn to shreds and bloody from the orc that was attempting to rape her that Taten slew mere moments before. She wipes tears from her face while Kynt revives the two brothers tied to the wagonand unties them.

"Why the hell did you bring Selwyn here! My poor husband, WHY!" she screams and bangs on Tatens chest in rage.  He just looks at her and pushes her off of him.

Yarabon approaches while Og grasps the young woman. "You must be Maygan" the barbarian exclaims. "There was no stopping Selwyn he demanded he come to help save you. He died a warriors death and should bring you honor." Maygan eyeballs Yarabon with rage and tears but says nothing more.

"How can we help maam? I am a paladin of Lathander and a Redknife in the Lord's Alliance, we can protect you and these men." Og says calmly and confidently as he holds Maygan to comfort her.

She pushes away. "Our home is gone, there are others gathering at Dellmon Ranch.  take what remains of us there." As she finishes her last line she looks towards the corpse of her husband and just stares."  The party all nod to each other and Og and Kynt begin wrapping his body and saying prayers to each of their gods in Selwyn's honor.

They gather up their things and begin the journey to Dellmon Ranch.

The party arrives in Dellmon Ranch to find a makeshift military operation.  They are invited in after some questions from well armed militia on the outside and after crossing over ridges and barriers designed for combat.  They after a bit of arguing get Maygan inside with the other non combatants along with the corpse of her husband.  The party being made up of much more experienced combatants are told that Orcs are on their way to assault the ranch.  They meet the patriarch of the family Kerbin Dellmon who refuses to leave his ranch despite the danger. The party also finds Erned Stoutblade a member of the Order of the Gauntlet and Kerbin Dellmon's middle child Dreena a budding member of the emerald enclave. She informs everyone that she sent a distress message to them recently and hopes to get their assistance soon but shes worried they may not make it in time.

There are many others here made up of farm folk, warriors and hunters and all of Dellmon's other children.  The party is given an opportunity to setup defenses for the oncoming horde of orcs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:48, Sat 10 Nov 2018.

With the plans for the defense finally made and the makeshift guard set to defend now it was time to wait. As the sun began to fall the green wave can be seen from all sides surrounding the village. With a loud horn from the northeast they rush forward and begin throwing javelins then rushing into the fray.

After a brutal battle and many lost the heroes stand victorious at Dellmon Ranch. They all help to put out fires while the Peasants hiding in the house come out singing their praises.  Dreena, Kerbin, and Marka the only Dellmons left alive embrace and cry for their lost.  Branikan goes to his brother's body and says prayers and mourns the man's loss.

Og and Kynt begin helping with burial rites and burning the orc bodies.  Helping the Dellmons clean up their ranch.  Taten begins taking tusks from the orcs he slew, and adds it to a small necklace he wears that bears other trophies from past battles. Yarabon is on her hands and knees breathing heavily and trying to recover, exhausted from the all day battle.

As the day winds out the emerald enclave and an elven war band arrive, a bit late for the battle but they assist in helping the Dellmons and especially Dreena who requested their aid.

The peasants offer the party 100 gold which they graciously accept before spending the evening  camped with all of the others here, making sure they are safe for just one more night.

They awake the next morning ready to move on...

MOVE TO TREMORS