In reply to Bernhard (msg # 901):

"Looks like we got a guard."

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 902):

Nerrag looks the orc over from head to toe, he spits into the pit and looks at the Aspis when it was indicated.

"What is your name?" he asks the orc.

Ronan claps the new guy on the back, "Splendid! You're hired. I need to be guarded. You can guard me."

He regards his veteran thrall and smiles with satisfaction, "Welcome to the team. Naturally, you won't be the most senior member," pausing his flow of words to indicate the drooling half-orc before resuming, "but, in time, you should be able to rise within the organization."

"And I haven't even told you about all of the perks and benefits."

Ronan starts to prattle on about unlimited tea and smoke breaks.

"Buddy, your ship has come in," he concludes, completely neglecting to establish his starting wages.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Thu 10 June 2021.

"Whoa, whoa, hold it right there, who do you think I am, this place's manager? Besides, given the slaughter you've done, who knows who's still left around? At best a skeleton crew. Yep, some aspis are around some of the time. But the ones you've got to watch out for is the people from the caravan. The caravan that just arrived, in between your... excursions. I think they've got a wizard. That one gives me the creeps."

"I'm Trandar." He bows, not very gracefully.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 905):

"Well Trandar, meet your new employer, Ronan. I am Angus."

Trandar is stupefied at this turn of events. "Hired? But, but, but I haven't even resigned yet! I, uh, should talk it over with the boss first maybe... Having unlimited smoke breaks sounds good, though. Here they'd come at you with the whip for even thinking of slacking off- ah, nice to meet you Angus - ship? what ship? - um, wait, wait, we should go meet the boss first or I'll get into trouble, are you coming or not?"

Falan smiled at the partly-joking and partly-dead-serious-emphasis-on-dead antics of his comrades. "Yes, we're coming along, Trandar."

"A wizard huh?" Bernhard says. "Well they die too. I guess we should get on with it. Lead on then."

"You may want to take a swig of this before we take this meeting," Thorik says to Bernhard, offering him the flask of extra curing potion. "There's one more dose if anyone else wants it."

OOC: Each dose heals 1-6 hp.

OOC: If no one else needs/wants it, Falan may take that last dose--but as, primarily, an archer, I think others could probably get more mileage out of the dose if anyone's hurt. :)

Bernhard takes a swig of the potion then holds it out for any other takers.

22:29, Today: Bernhard rolled 4 using 1d6.  curing potion.

OOC: Take your potion doses as desired before this.

You go 50' along the tunnel until it comes to a door. Trandar fumbles with it for a moment, then he leads you further onwards. You begin walking down a flight of stairs, 40' long in total; after about 20' they enter a circular room 50' in diameter and descend into a platform in the center of the room, surrounded by a moat of sewage. Around the outer wall of the room is a narrow 3’ ledge connected to the center of the chamber by three arched stone bridges. On this ledge stand ten orcs. Opposite the stairs, to the south, is an alcove containing a table, chairs, and many crates and boxes. There is a man sitting at the table with five giant weasels around him. A ladder at the back of the alcove leads to an opening high in the wall. The entire area is torch lit.

The man stands up as soon as you enter. "Greetings, my friends!" He is dressed in colourful clothes, with a feathered hat. Clearly, he's someone important. "It is an honor to welcome you personally. My name is Arnpold, and I'm in charge of operations here. First of all, to avoid any unfortunate misunderstandings..." He digs into his pockets and takes out a rather large ruby. "This gem right here contains enough power to bring down this place on our heads. It may discharge from a sudden shock, such as from being dropped on the ground. It will be in our best interest to avoid this from happening, hm? Don't mind the orcs - we all know that they are completely useless by now. Now that that's out of the way", he continues holding the gem in his hand, "we can talk business. It has come to my attention that you have been most disruptive lately. It will not please my masters. Even now, some of their minions are here as guests. They will report back with their caravan, and I fear their evaluation will be most unfair to all the hard work I've put in all these years, you see? But if this particular problem were to be solved, my career could still be salvaged. So, I must say I am very interesting in arranging an agreement with you. What is it you're after? Treasure? Glory?"

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 913):

"Freedom for the slaves!" Angus bellows!

"Yes, and the end of slavery in these lands."

OOC: "20:43, Today: Falan Oakenheel rolled 2 using 1d6.  curing potion." Oof!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:44, Fri 18 June 2021.

 While the others talked, and had the Slavers attention, Fentin brook attempted to cast a charm person on the Slaver leader.

"Freedom? That's a bit... old-fashioned, don't you think? Our project here is mostly mindful of the slaves wellbeing - of course, one can't just let their own assets go to waste. Besides, think of the impact on the local economy! All these orcs and half orcs would go out of work, and then what? We're back to roving bands of bandits and ravagers once again. No, no, that I cannot do. But if you wish for the release of a few particular prisoners, that can be arranged." You feel that the one among you who you call the spy might be eager agree to this to fulfill his stated mission, but he does not speak up. "I might add some gold to sweeten the deal."

Fentinbrook begins subtly weaving his spell. Unfortunately, one of the orcs notices. "Ay, boss! That 'un is doing magicks! Boss! He's magickin'!", the watchman cries out. The slaver clicks his tongue. "Come on, don't play dirty. We all know what would happen. My men would shoot you, one of you would be gravely wounded or killed, you would slaughter my men in turn, I would be forced to play my only card with this here explosive gem, the sewers collapse on top of us, we all die, the end. Let's not go that way. Please?"

OOC: 12:15, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Fentinbrook, rolled 6 using 1d6.  Silent Spellcasting (1-3 success).

Fentinbrook's parlor tricks escape, as so much does, Ronan's notice. His ears catch some of the slaver's attempt at peroration. His eyes turn glassine.

"You value one thing above all else. You can escape now with this one thing if you choose. If you remain, you will lose this one precious thing -- as have all who have stood before us."

"You need not trouble yourself with concern for your masters. There will come a time when they will stand before us."

"You should leave. Perhaps start your own slave empire elsewhere. Give us something to do after we lay waste to this one."

 Fentinbrook continued his spell despite the notice of he Orc.

"True enough," Bernhard says to the orcs as well as their leader. "Unemployment is temporary. Dying is rather permanent. Are you all willing to die here for him?"

Bernhard stands ready to leap into the orcs if things go sideways.

OOC: You mentioned shooting. How are the orcs armed?

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 920):

ooc - He said crossbows

Falan snapped forward, casting a Web spell at the leader in an effort to stop his throwing down the gemstone. He wagered on the slavers not knowing what spells either of them were casting--that way, they might not focus all of their ire on Falan himself, but might spread their efforts between Falan and Fentinbrook.

He was ready to give up his life, however, if it came to it.

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 922):

07:59, Today: Brother Nerrag rolled 6 using 1d6.  initiative.

07:59, Today: Black Angus rolled 1 using 1d6.  initiative.


Angus and Nerrag jump into melee when they can!

Bernhard heads across a bridge to the west to engage the orcs, shield up to deflect incoming bolts.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Mon 28 June 2021.

OOC: My initiative, by the by: "01:30, Today: Falan Oakenheel rolled 2 using 1d6."

09:52, Today: Dungeon Master, for the NPC orcs, rolled 5 using 2d6-1.  Morale.
An uncertain murmur begins to run through the orcs. Some of them actually begin to lower their weapons. "Act-shully, 'e's got a point". They don't seem very disposed to fight.
The slaver looks at his guards, then at you. "So that's the way it's going to be, huh?" He casts a nervous glance at Fentinbrook. "I'm out of here!"
10:00, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6,4 using 1d6+1,1d6 ((5,4)).
21:37, Today: Dungeon Master, for the NPC Slaver, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Save vs Spells.
He throws his arm back, getting ready to cast the gem he's holding at you, but then suddenly he stops in a daze: Fentinbrook has finished his spell.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:44, Thu 01 July 2021.