The other trollkin nod their agreement with Verzeg. "Whatever is over the water it must be better than being food for Uz, I will go with you across there." Madzeg says. The others all give the assent and it is settled for the night.

About an hour before sunrise one of Danzar's subordinates comes to rouse you. "Come on Verzeg! We're off to get your stuff. Bring any of these guys who want to come. We need to be quick Yelm will wake within the hour."

Verzeg dons his armour and says to the kin "come along, get ready. We'll all go as there's no telling what's out there."

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 2):

The other trollkin don their armour and grab what weapons they have. When all are ready they follow Verzeg out to meet the humans.

When all are assembled a party of 6 humans and 4 trollkin set out. Verzeg is at the front to give directions.

He leads the group until they are within 100m of the stash.

(Sense (smell) roll please)

As you approach Verzeg's sensitive nose picks up a scent he dreads. Uz! You can't tell how many or the exact location but you can smell them and the scent is strong enough to indicate they are nearby.

Nostrils flaring, Verzeg freezes.

"Uz!"

He immediately hefts his spear and brings the spell 'Bladesharp 4' to mind.

He peers about in the painfully bright light, trying to see where the trolls are.

(As Verzeg is in the open I assume he's demoralised)

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 5):

(It is not full daylight yet so demoralise isn't in effect).

The humans draw their weapons and heft put shields on their arms. Spells are readied.

As Verzeg leads closer to the stash a sudden yell erupts and 5 trollkin burst from hiding and charge at you. A sudden blinding wall of light goes up between you and them, illuminating them nicely from the humans with missile weapons. Madzeg and Hurzeg begin slinging stones at the onrushing trollkin.

The last thing Verzeg wants to do is kill trollkin, but he knows that the Uz are 'sending in the kin' to soften the opponents, absorb arrows and spells and to fix their enemy in place. Angrily he spits the spell, follows it up with 'fanaticism' to offset the effect of Yelm's angry glare and prepares to fight for his life.

Madzeg's flung stone misses all the attacking trollkin but Hurzeg's smashes one in face, he drops like a sack of potatoes.

A human archer send an arrow into another trollkin's neck. It too drops instantly.

A second archer sends his arrow wide of its intended target but a third one hits a trollkin in the thigh and he falls to the ground.

The other humans stand their ground swords prepared to meet the charge. The other begin to get ready for melee.

Verzeg goes into a defensive stance in front of the trollkin, ready to engage any trolls that might attack.

The humans face the two remaining trolkins. The first dodges the blades of 2 humans buthis luck runs out as a spear skewers his left leg and he falls clutching his useless thigh.

The second trollkin is stabbed in the face but doesn't fall but the next blow from a sword slices through his right arm, severing it at the elbow.

As the last trollkin is subdued loud roar is heard. A massive shape emerges from the broken buildings ahead. More large shapes follow behind it.

Madzeg gives out a whimpering squeak, "Maz!" is all he says but it is enough.

Fortunately you are still hidden behind the lightwall.

(Maz is the name of the enormous great troll the clan use as an enforcer and executioner. Everyone knows him and his name is a terror to all but the stoutest trollkin.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:04, Sat 30 Nov 2019.

Verzeg's knees weaken and he glances over his shoulder, wondering if there's a place he can run to, but he doesn't want to leave Danzar and his friends behind. He looks back at Maz and the trolls and his guts roll over. Maz is quite capable of literally ripping him apart.

He clenches his shuddering jaw. If Maz has been staking out his old hideout then it's obvious that their flight has been a serious issue for the clan. Verzeg doesn't know enough about the clan politics to know why but he remembers past times when the clan matriarch set her mind on doing something and the enormous lengths she went to to achieve her aims. They might chase them to the ends of The Rubble.

He looks up at the bulky figures of the trolls. He's quite sure the kin behind him have probably and understandably fled so he expects that it's just him and Danzar's humans. He takes a little bit of solace in knowing that Danzar has fell magics at his disposal, and it suddenly occur to him that he does too. The mighty truestone only has rituals so is no use here but over the years he has accumulated considerable Gorakkiki magics.

(What's the distance to the trolls, how many of them are there and how are they armed and armoured?)

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 11):

Verzeg notices that his assumption was correct, his kin have fled at the appearance of Maz. The humans curse but are now in a position where they must remain united or die. Two swords shimmer and become enveloped in flame. One of the men gestures and a wind whips up. The next second a form takes shape in front of you. It comes with a strong, blowing wind. The man speaks briefly in stormtongue and points at Maz. The sylph flies across towards the great troll.

Maz slashes at the sylph with his halberd but misses, the sylph responds by grabbing the troll and lifting him high in the air before dropping him. His left arm takes the impact and the great troll screams in pain as the bone shatters and rips through the flesh of his bicep.

The other trolls turn their attention from the humans and trollkin to fight off the sylph.

"Run! Run as if Kyger Litor is coming for you." Dazar says.

This message was deleted by the player at 12:59, Thu 05 Dec 2019.

Verzeg beats feet back to the other trollkin and tells them to lay low, hiding in the ruins and waiting for the trolls to leave. He instructs the pack beetle to dig itself into the ground.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 14):

The trolls manage to beat off the attacking sylph which flies off out of their range before they turn their attention to the fleeing trollkin and humans. They give chase not heeding the badly hidden trollkin and carry on pursuing Danzar and his men.

Maz is not in the fleeing group and sits disconsonantly on a fallen stone his arm hanging limp and useless. Madzeg is grinning when he taps Verzeg on the arm points at the stricken troll and draws his thumb slowly across his throat.

Verzeg looks about furtively. He's very afraid of Maz, even wounded as he is, but the great troll is right where his stash is and Verzeg wants to see if it's been disturbed. Added to the many crimes Maz has committed it doesn't take too long for Verzeg to overcome any qualms on stalking him and maybe killing him. However, even if he does kill him the other trolls will be back soon and Verzeg will have to deal with those that have survived Danzar's crew.

He whispers to the other "get out your slings, I'll get closer to him."

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 16):

The trollkin all prepare their slings and crouch waiting for Verzeg's attack.

Hefting his spear, Verzeg starts to work his way through the ruins to get behind Maz

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 18):

Verzeg manages to get round behind the great troll undetected and is now within striking range.

(You have got +40% onto this attack)

Feeling more than a bit dirty but knowing full well that Maz will likely kill him if he messes up his strike, Verzeg firms his will and slashes at Maz with his wickedly barbed spear.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 20):

At the last moment the great troll seems to become aware that something is behind him. He begins to stand but has only risen halfway when the spear slices through the amour protecting his leg. It bites deep severing the artery there before coming to rest against the tough femur. Blood gushes from the wound and Maz falls to the ground, gasping his last breath. The other trollkin dash from cover and start smashing at the corpse with rocks and stones and anything else they can find to use as a weapon.

While the kin vent their fury on the dying troll Verzeg steps back and looks around, checking the area for other threats.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 22):

While he doesn't find any living threats, such as other trolls or trollkin, he does find a rope with a noose at one end and a large rock at the other. It looks like it could easily kill a trollkin snared in it.

Verzeg, thrifty as always, disables the trap and retrieves the rope.

"Okay, enough of that" he says with some disapproval, although in reality he can hardly blame them. "We have to set a trap for the other uzko. I'm going to ask you to drag away what's left of Maz and hide his body, I'll clean up here to cover up the signs of his death. Then we're going to have to set our trap. If we can kill at least one uzko the moment they turn up we might drive them off to the point that they retreat. After that they'll probably leave a scout here and go back to the clan to ask what to do. We'll then kill that scout as well. If we keep this up it will be too costly for the clan to pursue us any more." He doesn't add that a loss of that level to a bunch of fugitive enlo might damage the clan's reputation so badly that they have to avenge the insult, he just hopes that the time it takes to organise it is enough that they can slip away to over the river and the clan lets it go as too onerous for the rewards.

"Let's get to it. Madzeg, you're the lookout. You know what to do. Do not take any risks. None at all."

Verzeg moves the the boulder and rope trap and tries to fashion it in a similar way as it was set up but can't get it to look quite right. There are none of the clan anywhere to be seen neither enlo nor uz. Verzeg's belongings are unmolested and can be quickly loaded onto the beetle. As the last item is being secured a familiar, and unwelcome, scent drifts across on the wind.
Goatkin! It is faint at the moment and fortunately not coming from the direction of the river.

Giving up on the rope trap Verzeg simply salvages the rope, rope always being a good investment in his mind. He digs open the collapsed basement entrance beyond which his goodies are stashed and organises the enlo into getting the beetle's pack saddle stacked high and lashed down securely while he watches the environs for broo. Maz's body is stripped of goods as an afterthought and then he sets a blistering pace (for enlo) towards the riverbank knowing full well the sun will be up soon and nearly everything in The Rubble can see better than the weak enlo daytime eyesight.

As Verzeg hurries towards the river Madzeg gives a whimpering cry "Broo are following, not sure how many but I've seen 3."

Verzeg grimaces. He knows from grim experience that broo move twice as fast as enlo and if the broo sprint ahead they've probably a already been cut off.

He wonders if he could pile all the enlo onto the beetle and augment its running speed with his magic. At that speed the beetle's normal movement would be about equal to a broo's sprint speed he calculates. His only worry is that the accumulated loot, which would take too long to discard, would make it impossible to carry the enlo as well.

Deciding to risk it Verzeg starts to bodily toss the smaller enlo up onto Beetle.

"Madzeg, make sure Herzeg doesn't fall off. Naazeg, don't worry, we'll make it. Make sure your litter-mate is secure." He really must ask the other enlo's name soon he thinks to himself. "Come on Hunol, Ordol and Medol, up you go too! All right, I'll just cast the go-fast magic and then I'll come up too and we'll be away before the goat-kin have time to think."

He quickly casts the spell and then clambers up himself on the poor, overloaded beetle. Gorakiki is undoubtedly unimpressed he thinks. With that he points the beetle's head to the river and uses the beetle-goad with vigour.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 29):

The beetle heads forwards at a canter. The broo notice the sudden movement and begin trotting to investigate. Madzeg slings a stone at them but it goes wide of the mark.

Verzeg urges the beetle as fast as it can go, skittering across the rubble and stunted grass.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 31):

The bettle's legs become a blur as they propel the insect and its load forwards.

Spotting prey the broo begin to give chase in earnest, they begin slinging stones of their own but none hit the mark. The river comes into view and a group of humans working at the shore but they are not close enough to render aid if the broo catch up.

Reaching the river bank the beetle scatters the human workers who run in fear from such a monster. The broo take encouragement from this and redouble their efforts. Soon they close in on the trollkin and advance weapons in hand.

5m away a large fishing boat sits in the river, the crew all fled. It is held to the bank by a single line and a boarding plank runs from it to the shore. The broo are some 20m away.

Verzeg ushers the kin aboard and turns to defend the gangway, channeling them so they can't get at his friends.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 35):

One broo charges at the gangplank, the other two hurl their javelins. They both miss Verzeg and stick into the side of the fishing boat.

(OOC: You have 1 MR before the broo reaches you)
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:27, Sat 08 Feb 2020.

Verzeg snarls defiance at the broo and readies himself to receive its onslaught.

(OOC: Can I have statement of intent? The broo is at the end of the gangplank unless you are casting a spell before it arrives.)

In reply to Adrian (msg # 38):

Verzeg summons his magic and sends confusion into the minds of all three broo. They stand gaping at the boat and each other but no longer approach or have any hostile intent.

(Tick POW for a gain roll)

Verzeg has no pity for broo. With murderous intent he closes on them and attacks them one by one.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 40):

Verzeg approaches the broo one by one and strikes them all with quick, vicious blows. In a matter of seconds two broo lie on the floor and the third stands screaming while clutching at the bloody and heavily bleeding stump of an arm. The other trollkin pour down from the boat with weapons ready to strike at broo.

After the last of the broos is hacked down, Verzeg ushers his kin back to the riverside to wash their weapons. Wary of disease, he doesn't bother looting them.

He looks about for the human crew of the boat and lowers his weapon.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 42):

Initially there are no humans to be seen but now the sounds of fighting have calmed down they start to appear out of hiding. Eventually they pluck up the courage to approach the trollkin by the ship.

With a bow a scruffy boatman talks to Verzeg, his tradetalk is quite good but heavily accented (if he knows he would say Holy Country). "Thank you for killing those beasts. We would like to reward you but have nothing really to give, we haven't even been out to catch fish yet today so can't give you any food. Could we transport you on the boat somewhere?"

Verzeg does a bow that he learned from some humans he met but it's kind of lopsided, trollkin being averse to taking their eyes off someone that might strike them.

He lifts his visor and says "I am Verzeg Black Beetle, beloved of Gorakikki and lay member of Zola Fel." He leaves out his unfortunate association with Zorak Zoran. "My kin and I would like to cross the Great River to where we will find safety. Could you take us to the other shore? I have learned some of your ways and will not offend your spirits."

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 44):

"A ride across the river is the least that can be done. Zola Fel will look kindly upon you for destroying chaos in his realm. When we get to the other side I will ask the priest to gift you the river eyes spell." He motions the trollkin onboard. Another man trots across and begins helping to cast off the boat from the riverbank.

Verzeg carefully shepherds the beetle onboard and once there he gets it to fold in its legs with taps of the beetle-goad. After that he explains what's happening to the other kin.

"As I said earlier a boat will take us across the mighty river to the other bank. Now, I know some of you may be scared but boats are not nearly as dangerous as they look. Think of it as a bridge that moves. When we get to the other side we can hunt for a bit of food and rest. Now, listen to the boatmen when they ask you to do things, they know what they are doing to make the boat's magic work and we don't want to get in their way. It's probably best of you sit quietly until we get to the other side."

With that he motions for them to sit in locations where they won't interfere with the crew. As a lay member of Zola Fel Verzeg asks the river to be kind to his family, their possessions, the boat and its crew as well as himself. He thinks carefully to think of anything he's left out of his prayer but it seems to cover the basics. He makes a note to make a sacrifice to the river god when he has a chance.
With that done he takes his place on the boat and waits for the boatmen to cast off.

Before the boatman leaves he leads the trollkin to a small hut, barely visible in amongst the reeds. Sitting in the door is a small, old man. The boatman gestures to him and says "This is Koolata, he is our priest to Zola Fel." He makes a short bow to Koolata, "These darkmen saved us. A gang of goatkin were going to attack our homes but they killed them. I told them I would ask you for a reward."

Koolatabeckons the trollkin over, "Sit my friends and tell me your tale, then I will decide what reward you may get."

Verzeg ambles over and translates for the assorted kin, gesturing for them to sit also "he doesn't seem to intend us any harm. Hoomans act differently when their angry." He adds.

With that Verzeg tells their tale simply and plainly, not having enough guile to hide any facts.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 48):

Koolata listens carefully, he nods and tuts and clicks his tongue as the tale is told.

"Your tale is one of sadness although I believe not uncommon among your folk. You have served Zola Fel well by keeping the chaos things from them. As a reward I will grant you all the spell of River Eyes. I will summon the spirits and you may learn it tonight."

"Thank you venerable Koolata" says Verzeg meekly, overwhelmed with such gratitude. It never fails to impress him deeply when beings treat the enlo with the respect due another creature. His upbringing usually leads him to expect only a temporary cessation of abuse when he carries out a task well.

After a night battling the weak spell spirit all now have the River eyes spell. (I guess you've got enough INT to spare for it).

The following morning you are given a meal of fish roe and warm bread with some weak beer before Koolata waves you off as you head on your way.

(You are by the blue cross on the south side of the river, west of Ogre Island).


This message was lightly edited by the GM at 16:41, Thu 16 Apr 2020.

Verzeg squints at the horrid aching light and says to his friends "right, let's get under cover before it gets too bright. Soon everything will be looking at us and we can't have that."

He urges the beetle forward and starts looking for a good and unoccupied defensive shelter.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 52):

A short walk of about 800m brings the trollkins to the ruins of a settlement. One building has mostly erect walls and a roof, there is also a cool dark cellar. The only signs of life are 20 or 30 rats, which the trollkin busy themselves catching and eating. It seems an decent place to hide from Yelm's angry face.

While not exactly happy about there being only one entrance and exit, Verzeg is quite pleased with a sturdy cellar as he'd resigned himself to staying in the open for the day. It's too bright for him to see much outside but the terrain looks interesting with many ruined structures.

He waits until the kin have full tummies and gathers them together.

"Well, we've made it over The Big River! However, we can't be unwary, for all we know there are Uz over here too, or maybe other things we don't know about. Tonight we'll stay here and you can rest. Some of you can forage the beetle while the rest keep watch and you all take turns to rest, I'll head out to have a look around. We have to find out where this Smalltown is and wandering around in a big group will bring down nasties on us."

He looks about and thinks before adding "so this is how we'll do it. At least half of you must be in armour at all times and I don't want any fighting or bullying while I'm gone, we've left all that behind and now we're going to have a new life where no one needs to be frightened of each other. We're going to have our own Upright Land. If you see anything while I'm gone I want you to bring the beetle in and hide, I'll be careful coming back and you can tell me all about it then."

"Now, when we get to this place we have to see if there's anyone there and whether to make friends, fight or find somewhere else. Remember we're only little and there's a lot of things we can't fight. However if it's like what I heard about then only other little things should be there. I met a duck once and he wasn't much bigger than the smallest of us, but he was really smart and could swim like a fish, so there might be ducks or things like that there already. We don't want to blunder in and make enemies, after all, as far as anyone knows we might be like the Uz."

He looks at all of their faces, looking at the fatigue etched in their features from the unaccustomed long trip above ground. Even the stay at Danzar's holes hadn't really let them rest as it had been too unusual to let them relax. That makes him think.

"When we get settled I'll see if we can contact Danzar again and see if he's all right. He had some tough magic so I think he should be okay, and after all he still owes us some wages! But to be honest I worry about him, especially if the Uz know where his hole is. Now it's time for me to catch a rat or two myself and then sleep. If anyone has any questions or advice, I'm keen to hear it."