"Amund thinks we have little choice.  We must go on the offensive now, in daylight.  Vermundr, Amund does not see a clear path to the sleeping ogres; Amund think it best to work through the rubble and attack the orcs one group at a time as they come by.  Geri may not be at one-hundred percent, but I'm sure he is still quick and I'm sure he can run faster than those Jotunn-loving miscreants.  He could cause a diversion leading them to an ambush, if needed."

He pulls out his bow, nocks an arrow, and looks to Sigurd.  "Lead the way in, the sneakiest way we can find."

Sigurd nods to Amund. "Follow me. We'll try to get to the inn first, and see if there's anything useful there."

Sigurd slinks into the ruins of the town, darting from cover to cover, circling around towards the former safe house of his profession. He keeps his eyes and ears open for signs of approaching patrols, and counts on Amund and Geri to follow stealthily behind.

Amund calls Geri to heel and follows close behind Sigurd, watching as many directions as he can while nimbly working his way through the rubble.

With the raven's help and the knowledge of the two former residence the party manages to avoid any scouting parties and reach the Cock and Forge, a rustic tavern whose logo, on the sign dangling from it's one remain chain, was a rooster atop a forge.

Any with a thirst to quench find easy access to ale, while Sigurd takes Klaengr into the back where there is food in the kitchen, and a secret door that leads into a surprising large hidden chamber that must be within the ridge behind the building.

While there is nothing of great value, there are weapons of average quality, bows, arrows, etc. as well as a few shields and helmets.

While walking about the hidden chamber Klaengr comments, "Should we need a rally point, this may serve well."

Taking stock of his gear he adds, "Well, may the gods view our actions as bold, of nothing else!"

Amund fills a tankard with ale, grabs some salted meat and sits by a window with his bow ready, watching for orcs as the others investigate the place.  He flings meat at Geri as he slowly drains the tankard while calmly looking out.

Wulfgar fills a mug with ale, drains it, and then fills it again. "If I die today, at least I'll die drunk." He drains the mug yet again, and fills it a third time.

Sigurd makes sure everyone has something to eat and drink, and a comfortable place to rest if they need it, then helps himself to some food and also some ale.

Then he disappears for a short while when no one is paying close attention to him.

Geri gladly takes the meat from Amund, and anyone else willing to spare him some.  Then he curls up in the middle of the room as he continues to lick his wounds.

The party has access to all the food and beverage they want as well as basic weapons, extra arrows etc.

Wulfgar and Sigurd do their best to draw a crude map of the fortress with some help from the Skald and his bird. (Map for group two. You may need to reload the page once, as the old map popped up first for me)

In reply to The Norn (msg # 431):

Erik stuffs some found down whilst he has the opportunity, happily following everyone as they plot and plan but not understanding exactly what is going on. Seeing that everyone is gearing up he isn't sure exactly what for but is keen to show he is ready.

Sigurd reappears some time later, now wearing a suit of darkened leather armor. "I have good news. My fellow compatriots seem to have forgotten a few useful items." He places a brace of potions on one of the tables.

The potions have labels: four cure, two cure serious, and two clairvoyance.

"I just hope these are labeled correctly. If they are, this may be just what we need to deal with these orcs."

"Great work Sigurd! A boon from Eir no less!" he says in reference to the found healing potions.

"We would be best advised to use some of those now on our more wounded members and save a few for reserve, if possible."

Amund greets Sigurd with a friendly slap on the back.  "Thank you Sigurd, you are a good man; and nice outfit - does it do anything special, or just look good."  Amund reaches to the table, grabs a plain cure potion, and places it in a belt pouch.  "Amund will take a cure for later."  He looks quizzically at the other potions.  "Amund does not know what 'Clay-voy-ank'is.  Will it help?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:33, Tue 13 Sept 2016.

"Thank you, Klaengr. Praise from you is of high worth."

To Amund, Sigurd laughs. "If by special you mean saving me from being stuck by an orc's spear, then I certainly hope so! My master Thidrek mentioned clairvoyance to me once. I remember it has something to do with spying on your marks before... Well, spying. Perhaps Dragnar knows more of this magic?"

Dragnar inspects the potion under discussion, and nods his agreement.

"Yes, it allows you to . . . see, further away than your own eyes will allow."

Inas then returns the potion to the collection.

"Seems to me that, between Dragnars' bird and those potions, we should be able to figure out the best approach to this."

As the party rest, examines the map, and plans for the action soon to come, Klaengr does a quick evaluation of everyone's current health.


        AC       HP
                Max  Now
Amund     4/3    47   21
Dragnor    2     22   19
Geri       6     18   11
Hrunnwulf  5     35   29
Klaengr    5     36   08
Ludvig     4     36   16
Sigurd     8     23   19
Vermundr  4/3    37   14
Wulfgar    5     39   29

Spells cast
Dragnar   0
Klaengr   5
Geri      0

This message was last updated by the GM at 11:00, Wed 14 Sept 2016.

Having assessed the party's physical and mental state, Klaengr recommends the following potion distributions:

Amund drinks one cure light wounds now.
Klaengr drinks one cure serious wounds now.
Ludvig drinks one cure light wounds now.
Vermundr drinks one cure serious wounds now.

"This will leave us with two cure light wounds potions in reserve and ensure everyone is fit for battle," the cleric reasons. "I'd rather be prepared for battle now, rather than having to address the issue while in pitched combat where we may not be afforded that opportunity."

Assuming there is no disagreement...


        AC       HP
                Max  Now
Amund     4/3    47   30
Dragnor    2     22   19
Geri       6     18   11
Hrunnwulf  5     35   29
Klaengr    5     36   21
Ludvig     4     36   24
Sigurd     8     23   19
Vermundr  4/3    37   31
Wulfgar    5     39   29

Spells cast
Dragnar   0
Klaengr   5
Geri      0

In reply to The Norn (msg # 441):

Being one of the healthiest despite his stint of captivity Erik stands watch whilst the others see to their wounds. He turns to  Sigurd

"Shall we hunt orc then?" Klaengr asks his companions.

"Sigurd, can you lead us? You know the lay of the village and seem to be a good scout. Help us find orcs without bringing the lot of them on us at once."

He turns to look each companion over one last time before adding, "Let us go with the grace of the Gods to smite these foul creatures!"

Hruunwulf holds a mug of ale in one hand, and thumps the flat edge of his axe against his hide armor at Klaengr's words.

"To orc hunting!"

"Yes, let us be as silent as the wind through the grass."

OOC: Is there any soot available?  If so, Vermundr will begin rubbing it upon his exposed skin as well as any metal he possesses.

"I'll get us as close as I can before they notice us. It'll be hard to hide a group our size, though. If they have any sentries, or we meet a patrol, we need to hit them hard before they can give off a warning. Oh, and if I disappear for a while once we get to the fortress, don't be alarmed. I'm not running while there are any humans left prisoner by these filth. It's just that sometimes I work best on my own, especially if I have distractions like a fight going on!"

Sigurd explains the situation to Erik.