Amathaon replied, "It seems that the orc is insistant that he'll be fighting with us. Iviana wanted assurance that he'd fight with us. The orc is somewhat offended by this as he considers it a matter of honor."

[Language unknown: "Oneaveent ur ec"] Iviana said, actually quite relieved that the orcs had rejected her offer

She turned to Ronalt

"They offer to trade a way out for their lives. But don't seem to want to accept the offer I am proposed. I offered them a way out, and that I would release them unharmed within a day of us returning to the surface. They responded as is the orcish way, mostly with insults. I have given them a second chance to accept.. but to be honest I'm not sure it is a wise thing to accept their help."

"Oh come on! Typical damn elf, not translating wha' an orc said right an' leaving bits out!"
"What 'e really said is they'll show the way out an' fight with us if they're released and armed."
"Sounds to me they want a bit of payback, something I'm not alone in wanting, right Luthien?"
Rolf shook his head in disbelief.
"Are ya so scared of just a couple of orcs to just leave 'em locked up in here to be killed?"

"Well...maybe I don't have the whole story yet, I'm just a squire after all, but as I understand it, I may not accept aid from any evil being. In the case of the orc, however, I defer to his highness's judgment on the matter."

That good old 'may not associate with evil' part of the Code...but as a squire, Luthien can't detect it yet.

"The issue is complex. Orcs are innately honourable, although very ruthless. If they give their word, they will keep to it until it is broken by others."
"It would be sinful to leave them here to be tortured and killed, but neither can we risk the good folk of the area by simply letting them run free."
"They cannot be automatically judged as guilty due only to their race, and they have not to our knowledge committed any crimes to justify us treating them as prisoners."
The prince looked pained.
"It is my personal opinion that their offer should be accepted at face value, at least for now, and they be given the benefit of the doubt. This does not mean they can be trusted, that would be foolish, but as long as they behave in accordance with the law, I believe we can tolerate their presence for a short time."
His last words were directed to Luthien.
"[Language unknown: "Ul ing eselmo ll u ughrathis la thlaut isliwa eneau inther'orestaion wirea, hispo llie ure verlester, man daywi ersnotbut cemoaineil."]

(OOC:Since when are orcs LAWFUL evil? Ah well)

"As your highness wishes."

And nodding to that extra bit, he proceeds to release the orcs on his highness's say so.

Amathaon didn't care for releasing the orcs, but understood the princes rationale. He awaited any orders the prince might have.

"I will relay your offer to them" Iviana said

[Language unknown: "Erul Eiwiac atre tedersureintwas ate unson"] Iviana said leaving her own views about how she felt about the idea of trusting orcs off her face.[Language unknown:  "M us itev entnc i to ica olieac, terta aiio werreaome mions ndere, at ateioueauave ul tr oun ounkorast, o sta erulpo ho somproout."]
This message was last edited by the player at 10:11, Sun 15 Mar 2015.

"It's not my wish, just my opinion. The final choice is for others to make."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Sun 15 Mar 2015.

Sven, still in the cell with Wonnillon, took the key from Gwythe and freed the gnome. "Let's get us back to ze daylight, not-great-wizard." he joked.

"Release the orcs but tell them we are not able to give them weapons. They will have to make do with some makeshift ones from the torture room." Ronalt replied, "Also tell them plainly, should we cross paths and they have been harming folk we will do them harm then. This is a chance for them to see the error of their ways and improve themselves."

Iviana set about that task [Language unknown: "Nipre Eipras atho wasing. K haspl ca p chndfo olati er eve iou trloof ut korthuvor nti strsa hi ugh di ac anusacadce. Era our houhisast sanimaar ririat adlo airat. Ou itwhos ear cahou sa m p wasmantho even os k linwaslar cker evpro m whe wil n elun wh k ameresove" ]Iviana almost winced as she translated some parts of the Prince's request. She had no doubt what the result would be, but she still translated it as well as she could. Even if Black Speech didn't really handle those concepts well[Language unknown:  "Fo o arese i adset?"]

"Thank you, thank you," the Gnome said gratefully, hugging Svens leg.
"Don't suppose anyone's got some equipment and a weapon or two I could use?"

With the gnome and orcs released, "all the cells are empty now?"
"Lets get folk moving then."
"Sven can you keep an eye on the prisoner."
Ronalt adds, "sooner we are out of this place the better."

Sven replied to Wonnillon "You are not likely to find anything your size, but welcome to any loose gear you may find. Reckon you can swing this?" He indicated the gladius half jokingly.
Dead seriously he appended "Me and you, up front. Find a weapon or stay behind me. Let's move this train." Sven spoke loudly to add his voice to Ronalt's and acted immediately, moving to the path Yew suggested and waiting like at the front like a vulture for others to follow. The order to Wonnillon made it clear he was taking responsibility for the little warrior's actions.

"Luthien you have the torturer to keep a watch on. Amathaon and Rolf you have the two orcs to keep out of trouble." Ronalt added. "Lets move folks."

OOC: Similar order as last time just add the prisoners into the middle bit.

[Language unknown: "Th!"] one orc called after the party had only gone a few dozen yards along the chosen route.
[Language unknown: "Cachul oube re con comlesforlat any, itni na onear lesntithi inca didinc erion."]

Brother Yew looked back down the corridor in surprise as the orcish voice called out from among his friends.

"A secret passage?" he queried, moving back up the corridor to examine the south wall at the spot the orc had indicated. [Language unknown: "Red ur, butvoriou."]

The orc held one dirty finger to their lips and pointed at the door to the east, then lightly rapped on the wall next to them.
[Language unknown: "Ilonse name ekhoom wieesa, atehisnte tho verardsom ta."]

See the game map for more detail.
Link back to this game

Amathaon looked up at the orc when he mentioned the secret passage. He said, "[Language unknown: A eauichoreons k lo ha ma icaughtra p he rut butng staherkor i]" He kept his hand on the hilt of his falchion, just in case.

Luthien, happy to be given something vaguely important to do, kept his prisoner working in front of him. Watching for signs of treachery, as nothing better can be expected of a torturer.

Brother Yew beckoned for someone else to come forward. He pointed to the door near the eastern end of this southern corridor and whispered to them, "Guardroom. Keep watch."

Then he turned and looked closely at the section of wall the orc indicated. He began searching for the mechanism that would open the secret door in the south wall.

In reply to Brother Yew (msg # 154):

Sven strode forward with Wonnilon and heeded the Brother. The door was watched stonily and the brighter imaginations in the group might even have suspected that it even shied away a hair's breadth from the awful thing that passed for Sven's watchful face.

In reply to Amathaon Chalkbreaker (msg # 152):

The orc shrugged.
[Language unknown: "Iv eeplol hi antthovir m."]

It only takes Yew a few minutes to find the catch for the door and lead the way single file through the narrow detour passage....
[Language unknown: "Us erurei"], the orc directs.