The rain lasted for two very wet days and nights. The road had proven safe, although they passed little traffic save for a pair of trappers and troop of cavalry making a routine patrol. On the morning of their third on the road, as the sun came out and threatened a sweltering, moist day, the elf maiden sat up while they prepared a morning meal and stated, "Good morning all, the baby and I are simply famished. Might I get some of the ham and porridge?"

Looking about as everyone stared at her, either the elf was not aware of her own nudity or simply didn't bother with hiding it, she lifted one pale arm and pointed towards a distant peak. She smiled broadly as she said, "That is DuMont's Peak. We are close to my husbands company. He will be making war on those vile little creatures, we shall have to be careful."

"Your husband makes war on vile critters too! It must be kobold-goblin alliance then!"

Barg was walking around, taking down the camp and gathering things so as to be helpful

"Must make sure to prepare special kobold knife. Is dog-slicer, but covered in dung. Very effective, us kobold's own weapon against!"

Thamkis bent over the porridge and ham, looking back at their charge with a smile and returning to plate up some food

"Put something on dear. None of us much care, but a chill won't be good for the baby. Or at least once we set out."

She held up a plate to be taken while she tended to the breakfast

Brengalyn was spending her time honing her weapons and braiding her hair to ensure a good first impression

"We should set out once the sun is up. Less likely to be ambushed in the light, if they can see we aren't goblins . . . well most of us."

(OOC: way too awesome, you are now entering the deep valley where most of the fighting has taken place. it runs basically east to west. you are entering the eastern end, it is narrower but the cliffs are hundreds of feet tall and mist shrouded higher up, so it is easier to defend. you will be heading to the approximate center of the valley near some ancient ruins.)

The elf laughed, covering herself in embarrassment, and dropped beneath the blankets to redress in her tunic and skirts. She began talking in earnest, muffled to unintelligibly until she sat up again and everyone could hear her singing merrily in Elvish.

Penny was tuning her instrument when the elf maiden began singing she began playing to accompany her.

ooc perform (string ) 17:01, Today: Penny Perseus rolled 26 using 1d20+12 ((14)).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:02, Mon 12 Oct 2020.

OOC: make a performance check to inspire everyone, if successful you all will carry a +1 bonus for inspiration on die rolls until morning.

Barg clambered across the narrow rockface, hand over hand with long strong fingers as he laughed and cackled like a madman.

He was in his element moving along the rocks as the wagon rattled beneath them, eyes like red-pink dots in the mist

"Mist is like ham soup, thick and delicious!"

Brengalyn listened to the singing and Penny's playing, smiling softly. Elven singing was not something Brengalyn would confess to liking, but she often remembered her mother singing the bits of elvish she knew, the lyrical songs which seemed to make the very bones ache with sadness or the heart leap with joy.

"Don't go too far Barg, or we'll never find you in this fog!"

Penny screwed up her face "You can taste fog?" she continued to strum, "Have you picked a name for it yet lady elf?"

She shook her head. Smiling broadly, "My husband wants to name it Augustus if a boy and Elhona Mortai, her father's hope, if a girl."

She pointed to the almost unnoticable trail leading along the base of the cliffs.

"We should be in the main encampment by dinner." She said in a sing-song voice.

"I knew an Augustus once . . . I'll be praying you have a daughter."

Thamkis shook her head and then peered after the climbing goblin with some exasperation.

"We may well have a goblin with a broken neck by dinner time."

Moving through the area was little more than traversing broken ground and uncleared forest. The wagon rocked and bounced. The riders often waited as the wagon took its time to pick its way along a trail that was barely broken in.

By midday the sun was cutting through the morning fog and threatening to actually dry the forest out. Then, in the distance, a peel of thunder threatened. Around a steep bend in the trail the little group broke into a tiny clearing. It would have been a great place to take lunch in the open sunlight but there was a corpse hanging from a noose. It was short, skinny, and filled a gleaming suit of chain mail in a very putrid manner.

"Ooooo, suit of linky chains!"

Barg scampered up the tree and reached for his dogslicer, realizing with a little giggle he'd lost it somewhere along the road many moons before he met the others.

Shimmying over to the noose, he called down to the others

"Barg will gnaw the rope! Big woman can wear the linky chains! Extra present hanging on tree!"

Brengalyn circled the clearing in a small tight circuit, looking around with her weapon tapping her leg as she moved.

OOC: Perception 11

"Strange place to hang someone . . . I suppose the idea was to warn other people. Stay alert and get some food in you, we need to get moving soon."

She looked up at Barg as he climbed, shaking her head

"Leave the body, we don't need that chainmail. Unless you want to bring it to the mercenaries and sell it?"

Thamkis brought the donkeys to rest and disembarked, Graham carrying a few tools, a few more kitchen spoons and spices bobbing along in the air around her as she lifted an iron pot and skillet down to the ground

"Well then, I'll be sure to work miracles. In the meantime, even a light lunch will need time. I'll fry up some sausages to give a little energy for the afternoon."

Setting to work with the help of Graham, Thamkis stripped and chopped some dried grasses and mixed them with a little oil, fat and the sausages she had on hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Tue 03 Nov 2020.

As Thamkis got out her pot, Penny got out a shovel "Yes Barg please do cut it down. Bren, do you think you can help me dig a grave? That poor soul didn't ask for that to happen. It's the least we can do." Penny flashed her starry eyes at the mercenary, hoping that her pouting would get what she assumed was a very reluctant woman to help the dead.

Brengalyn rolled her eyes

"Alright . . . "

She approached and held out a hand for Penny to give over the shovel

"It'll go faster if I do it."

She began digging, eyes fixed on her task and unsmiling

"Hate this, thought I dug enough ditches back then to last . . . "

In reply to Brengalyn (msg # 18):

Penny handed Been the shovel and got to work with her hands doing what help she could, Thank you Bren! Your one high class lady for doing this! You've dug ditches before? I didn't mean to make you do something you didn't want to"

Barg ground the rope between his teeth, waiting for the satisfying snap of the fibers and the clunk of the armoured body, bracing for the sway of the branch as it was unburdened.

He'd found bodies like this in the daylight in the Dunwood, often sacrificed by diabolist bands. They'd always have a little something that a young goblin could bring home!

Once his work was done Barg would swing down to grab the body and drag it over to the others.

"Digging is good work! Means not likely to die, strong stable work! Only cave-in leads to death! Barg can dig if tall lady doesn't want to!"

Thamkis watched the chaos and grumbling with some bemusement. Leaving Graham to stir the cooking, she approached the wagon to address their passenger

"Do you feel up to eating anything my dear? I wouldn't recommend looking outside, the others are fussing with a corpse they found, but I can bring you something to eat if you're hungry?"

In reply to Brengalyn (msg # 15):

Barg just flitted right up the corpse. It was goblin soldier in good equipment, that was plain to for Brengalyn to see from twenty feet away. A he astonishingly took the rope between his teeth his teeth and twisted his head, she noticed a subtle motion. It took a moment for her to realize what it was.

It was a rope. Another rope secured between two knots on the rope Barg was gnawing on. Looking about the trees she soon spotted a notched limb, a leaf covered log, and it dawned on her. It was a trap! And the body was not only the bait but also the counter balance.

In reply to Thamkis Slybones (msg # 21):

In a weak sing-song voice the elf maiden answered, "Yes, please, and some water too. The both of us are famished. And thirsty. And ready to see my Lord and husband."

In reply to GM (msg # 22):

"Barg! Stop gnawing that rope! It's a counter-weight trap!"

Brengalyn didn't rush, as the presence of one trap suggested more, or enemies waiting nearby. She approached her goblin ally calmly and slowly

"Get down from there."

In reply to Brengalyn (msg # 24):

Barg raised his head with a confused look, looking around

"Is a trap? Barg doesn't smell a trap, but if tall lady says trap Barg will listen!"

Barg did his best to stop gnawing tasty tasty rope and tried to climb down without setting anything off.

Thamkis plated up some food for the hungry and elf and handed her a waterskin

"There you go, won't be long now."

Brengalyn and Barg fiddling with a trap caught her attention

"We may end up with fewer companions though . . . "

Penny looked at Bren with admiration "That was very impressive for you to notice that Bren! I would not have seen that coming!"

In reply to Penny Perseus (msg # 27):

"Seen a lot of these, set a few in my time, though usually with food or supplies. Bodies . . . that's something else. It's a punishment for having the decency to cut them down, or in this case they likely figured we'd take the bait for a suit of mail."

Brena took a nip from her flask, her eyes not leaving the tree branch until Barg was down.

"That's terrible! Barg! Are you alright?" concerned, Penny walked closer to the tree, hands covered in dirt.

Barg twisted, the rope slid from his teeth, and he shifted his weight carefully. Then his urges overtook him. One last bite on the rope!

His teeth sank in satisfyingly deep, the feeling was like biting the head off of a fat little snargling and feeling the blood well up. Then there was a creak, a snap, and Barg went sailing, flung like a stone from a catapult into the gaping maw of the cleverly concealed pit just off to the south of the corpse.

The ground rushed up. Barg smiled, it was a thrilling sensation right up until he went unconscious.

As they all watched, Barg chomped down on the rope with particular relish and the trap engaged. To their amazement, the little fellow seemed to smile around the rope as the corpse laden rope seemed to draw buck with yank and then suddenly go slack and fling the corpse, and Barg, into a pit that had been very craftily concealed nearby.

As Barg sailed into the pit, the corpse acting like anchor and catapult, it looked almost like he waved to them before he disappeared into the hole in the ground. There was loud wamping impact and a puff of dust from within the hole.

"Whhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" *thud*

Thamkis groaned and grabbed her walking stick, walking over with some frustration at the scene that had played out.

"Is he dead? We might be able to still use him if he's dead . . . "

"Skai."

Brena drew her ankus and cursed in Orcish, approaching the area where Barg had sailed through the air

"Barg! Barg if you can hear me say something. Get out of that hole."

19:52, Today: GM rolled 8 using 3d8.  Barg's damage from the trap.

Borg opened one eye. The other was caked up with mud where his face was partially planted in the gelatinous muck. He could feel the mud in his nostril. When he realized the taste of blood in his mouth he felt around with his tongue; one tooth knocked out, a split lip, and he had bitten his tongue.

Barg could feel one arm under his torso, at the wrong angle and knew it was dislocated at his shoulder. The pain was intense, it made him smile. Pain, blood, injury; now that was ride!

Taking little steps with his feet, Barg walked his feet in under his lower body, jacking his but into the air where he realized he could feel the breeze on his exposed buttocks. That made him laugh, well chuckle into the mud really. This made him cringe in pain. That made him fart, sending mud spattering away from his butt. This in turn made him laugh hard enough to twist over onto his back and so he stretch out with his arm folded the wrong way across his chest.

Looking up he saw the rope still hanging overhead and remembered the corpse. Then he smelled it. He had landed hard riding the corpse. When the corpse erupted under the impact he was sprayed with its rotting guts.

Not bad he thought.

Barg scrambled to pick up his tooth and gripped it tightly, putting it away in his belt pouch inside his loin cloth and trying to bound up the sides of the pit to come back out, popping his shoulder back in before he scrabbled up the earthen walls

OOC: Climb check 14

Brengalyn watched the goblin fumble his way around in the hole, farting and throwing . . . mud, she told herself, everywhere.

Unhitching a coil of rope from her pack she threw one end down

"Climb up, damn goblin."

She shook her head, this was the most dangerous member of their group by far, a beast who could eat his way through to the far side of an enemy, and he was entertained by bodily injury . . .

Thamkis strode up, waving her club in the air and whistling a low bird call. The others would dig Barg out, but this did not seem like random chance

OOC: commune with birds, asking the question "Are there people hiding in the forest?"

A fat quail flew up to Thamkis, very uncharacteristically, and landed on her shoulder. It bobbed and cawed. Speaking its peace.

The other little green skins had wondered away with the rains. Ambling along in their ungainly, ugly way after stealing one of her eggs and devouring one of her unborn children. They had gone toward the rising sun two moons hence, but their foul stench still clung to the places were they had lain.

"These traps are patrolled by goblins. They've been gone for a couple days . . . or months. Either way the birds here have no love of them, but haven't seen them since."

Thamkis warbled a response to the quail and set it on its way

"We'd do well to be cautious, but it sounds as if the danger is not immediate."

"Thank you"

Brengalyn pulled up Barg and tried not to be weirded out by the strange halfling woman she'd fallen in with.

Though magic was not unheard of among the mercenary camps, these nature magics seldom found alliance with sellsword companies, and more often than not were opposed. Shamanic orcs had occasionally assisted the companies when she was little, but that was more to do with Relgruk Crackjaw's contract rather than any natural affinity. And those were arcane spells, not nature.

"I'm glad you are on our side, Thamkis. I'd hate to think how we'd fare with empty stomachs, sore feet, little common sense and a wise woman set against us."

"Pah!"

Barg spat on the ground in derision

"Barg fears no goblin! Goblins are not making Barg afraid!"

The goblin himself showed his lack of fear by running back to the wagon to get his gear, so as to be ready for goblin-fights

In the distance the sound of a blaring trumpet could be heard. That is was a signal was understood, but what was it signalling? And who?

Penny stood close to the elven woman "Don't worry, if there are bandits in these woods we will protect you" Penny looked nervous though. They were wide open for attack where they were.

"Is call to adventure! Is most important sound in life after dinner bell!"

Barg tried to scramble up a tree to see what was coming

Moments later the thunder of hoof-beats could be heard. A lot of hoof-beats.

"Well, looks like we need to prepare for a fight. Get your weapons, keep them close. Show them we mean business . . . hopefully they're the mercenary company we've been looking for."

Brengalyn grabbed her ankus and strapped on her buckler, heading out to the road to see if she could see the horses approach

"We'll see soon enough . . . "

Thamkis tottered back to her wagon and followed to the side of the road to watch for the coming horsemen.

"Hoof beats, many horses! Kanits, like tall woman!"

Barg did his best to hide in the tree after that.

With the thunder of hooves came the cries of men and orcs. And the clash of steel on steel. Passing by their clearing, as if the party wasn't even present, a horde of mounted warriors bolted by on horseback, fighting from the saddle. Several riders fell, both Orc and Man, in the fight. More were coming as the first riders passed nearby. It was hard to tell what was really happening. It seemed as if a battle had broken out nearby.

"We need to get her out of here, this is not safe!"

"Protect the wagon! We can't move through them, so we either stand and fight or we hide at this point."

Brengalyn motioned back towards the wagon, hoping the goblin wasn't feeling particularly cute today

There was an articulate roar as a pair of Orc riders cut loose from the rambling melee and began charging for the wagon. It was apparent to Brengalyn what had happened what the roar had been; an Orc leader of sorts had ordered the pair of riders to attack the wagon. Or specifically, to 'take the supplies'.

Barg leapt down from the tree screaming in a high tone, colliding mouth-first into one of the orcs and tearing with his teeth.

OOC: attack 18, damage 14 (20 if the target is flat-footed). If target survives, grapple check 24 against his CMD

The Orcs were caught off-guard when Barg descended from a tree limb like a bird of prey. The Orc he collided with was well braced in the saddle, an experienced horse warrior, which sent a painful shock through Barg's neck as he teeth sank into the Orc's exposed neck.

The other rider was shocked when Barg suddenly fell onto his companion. Out of reflex he swatted at Barg trying to dislodge his gnashing teeth. The flat of his longsword caught Barg full in seat of his trousers. As the Orc under Barg's teeth gurgle-screamed his surprise Barg's small frame was swatted away by the other Orc's sword swipe. Barg never let up taking a huge mouthful of the Orc's neck with him.

The Orc grabbed his neck as his horse ran on several more strides, then fell sideways from the saddle to spasm and die in the underbrush. Barg was sent sailing through the air, smiling like mad, and landed awkwardly on his side.

(OOC: Barg took 1 point of damage from the impact with the Orc, 2 points of damage from being batted off of the Orc by his lngsword wielding companion, and another point on landing on the ground after being knocked off of the Orc while it rode a running horse. Total of 4 points of damage for Barg, good work!)

Brengalyn was at a charge with little notice, heading for the remaining orc with her ankus in both hands. A small leap up and bringing the weapon down she tried to slam it through the orc's chest

<"Let him be a warning to the others!"> she shouted in Orc, a common phrase when felling a foe and a challenge to call attention that one faced a worthy foe

"Barg, get up and protect the wagon!"

Thamkis jumped down from the wagon and moved as close as she could, her hands moving in a circle before she pounded one into her chest . . . and vomited forth a swarm of spiders that surged towards the orcs, between Brengalyn and Barg hopefully leaving the two of them unharmed

OOC: vomit swarm, one swarm of spiders is now on the field and heading for the fighting

Barg, gore covered again, stood up next to Brengalyn. As the pair watched, Thamkis vomited a small hoard of spiders onto the ground. Brengalyn winced. Barg smiled and wondered how the spiders would taste now. With a spoken command the horde went hustling across the damp soil like a thousand little soldiers marching off to war.

Moments later a horse screeched and reared, the Orc on its back went flying and landed awkwardly. A heartbeat later he began screaming and swatting at himself with his good arm.

A trio of riders, two men and an elf, broke from the throng and guided their mounts towards the wagon. They were all wearing heavy armor and carrying spears, shields hung from their saddles. They made a grand sight in their matching surcoats and painted shields. They were moving quickly but not with their spears lowered or giving battle cries.

Seeing the elf warriors barrel down on them, Penny looked inward to that spark that had fallen and blinded her. It brought a feeling of peace. "No more fighting!"

ooc Casting sanctuary

Brengalyn retreated to the wagon as Thamkis' swarm of spiders roiled forth

This was why she didn't throw in with magic, this was.

OOC: Knowledge (nobility) check 7, likely nothing unless the company is VERY prominent

Barg did a little dance as the chaos grew, cackling wildly.

When the platemen rode up though, he eeeped meekly and scrambled to get close to Brengalyn

"Barg is with tall scary lady and short scary lady and Penny Purse! Barg not fight you! Barg good!"

"Hail!" The leading rider called out as he drew up to the little group near the wagon. "I must say, I have never seen such a use of magic as that little trick of yours with the spiders. What a way to go out! Are you for the camp of the Black Company?"

"Sorry to disappoint, but I'm just a simple woodswitch from Bell's Hook."

Thamkis moved back towards the wagon to keep their charge safe

"But we're willing to put out weapons down if you are willing to do the same. Do you have an officer among you who might be able to show us the way to your commander?"

Brengalyn took a moment to produce her oilcloth and clean her ankus, holding the weapon in such a way as to not look ready to use it.

"We seek the Black Company, so perhaps you can help us find them?"

"Good, we have been awaiting your arrival." The rider said. "It's been over a week since we had mail, herbs, or wine."

Uttered quickly to their surprise, the rider turned to his companion and said, "Renni, lead them around the fight. Take the lower route to the camp."

The other rider nodded and walked his horse forward as the lead ride wheel his horse about and spurred it back into the fight.

"If you would please follow me." The rider said. With that he slowiy walked his horse off into the wood further east, off of the road they were on.

Moving to get her mount, Brengalyn mounted Velvet and waited for the others to get in the wagon.

"I'll take the rear to defend us if we're attacked, you all follow Renni."

Once on her horse and situated at the rear of the wagon she drew her ankus again to be ready for trouble.

Barg scrambled into the wagon and dug in his chest for his noxious smelly armour. The stench intensified with the wearing, it was how you knew it worked

Putting on his headband of a woven braid of twine looped through a blue bead, he sat on the back of the cart with his shield on his lap, watching the big woman ride behind

With everyone loaded on the wagon Thamkis gave a snap of the reins and a whistle, the donkeys moving along.

Though the insect swarm was still out there somewhere, she tried her best to let them disperse back into the fey energies they'd been conjured from

The trip to the camp was deceptively further than they would have expected. Nearing sunset they rolled into a very well organized, and very well concealed, camp. Sentries with bow and spear watched as they passed. Camp goers were either idly resting or they performing chore such as tending fires, stacking wood, grooming horses, etc.

The rider led the wagon right to a large black tent. A tall pole mounted and old fashioned cavalry flag. Two men guarded he entrance as others came an went quickly. After a moment the rider turned to the little group.

"Stay here, you'll be sorted out momentarily." He said, turning his horse he added over a shoulder, "and thanks, coming out here is no low task."

As the man walked his horse off into the camp a tall man exited the tent. He was handsome and powerfully built, clad in a mail huaburk with a sword and dagger at his trim waist. He looked at the wagon curiously.

"You are not the Weavers. This isn't a mail run." He sighed. "What is the trouble now?"

In reply to GM (msg # 68):

"We've come as an escort for one of the villagers who has business with someone in your camp. and we have come to speak with you about the goblin attacks."

Brengalyn stepped down from her horse, holding the reins in one hand as she considered the tall warrior.

"Who are you in this camp, and can you take us to your commander?"

Speaking professionally was beginning to wear on Brena, and she longed for a drink and a game of dice, or some other chance to unwind after the road.

"The trouble is we've an expectant mother."

Thamkis had not the patience that Brengalyn had for this puffery and titles. She fixed the man with the kind of stare only a grandmotherly halfling could manage.

"The goblins we can speak of later. I need what passes for a camp doctor or physic to attend, and this child's father as well."

Penny nodded in agreement with Thamkis, she took a wide birth of Barg and his armour and came forward, "Someone tried to kill her so maybe we can get someone in here to protect her while she sleeps?"

Barg emerged from the wagon grinning ear to ear.

"The goblins were not very brave. Barg is hoping you are brave and help Barg fight many goblins, but if not, Barg will show you how!"

"I am Lucian Crawford, and I..." When he looked into the back of the wagon at the elf maiden the color fell from his face and he exploded into action.

Stepping away from the wagon he pointed to a nearby soldier standing guard duty and said, "You, Morgan, fetch the cleric Snatono at once."

The guard bolted away as the man turned to the mounted escorted and said. "Philastrase riding back to the battlefield, bring the Commander here at once. Tell him that his lady is here and she is ill."

As the mounted man wheeled his mount around without so much a nod of acknowledgement Lucian was issuing more orders, "Bugler, a call to arms, and make it loud!"

A moment later a young man or older teen, it was hard to tell in the ill fitting chain mail, began blowing a repetitive tune on a trumpet. The whole camp came alive as troops abandoned chores, meals, card games, or simply rolled from their blankets and began preparing for combat.

Lucina came around gingerly lifted the Elf Maiden in his arms as several warriors gathered around him, he carefully moved her to the tent he had exited as he spoke to them, "Ronnick, set your platoon about the commander's tent, Yori set your platoon to guarding the approaches, Daniel set your cavalry about the camp to meet any pursuit. Set archers to kill anyone who does not heed the call to halt. Now go."

At the entrance to the tent, Lucian stopped as if he had just remembered a detail left undone and looked back at the wagon with its odd collection of adventurers. He smiled and said, "You have done well to return our Good Luck Charm to us, we are grateful, down the road to the south is a small village, Yannuf, go there and take your ease. Tell the man at a tavern called the Rusty Goblet that King of the Taps sent you and he will see to your every need."

With that he disappeared into the tent just a thickly muscled Dwarf cleric came running up the incline to the tent. He was clad in a loincloth with a purple vestment cloth about his neck and an silvery holy symbol hanging at his hair chest. He was carrying a square wooden box in one hand had a backpack slung over the other shoulder.

Armored warriors carrying shields and an assortment of weapons surrounded the tent and their leader, an tall half-Orc called Ronnick, stepped forward to the wagon and old the bemused group there, "Thank you for returning our Lady to us, we will see to her, please take yourselves to the Yannuf. I am sure the commander will find you soon to learn what has transpired."

"Another glorious triumph for Barg, son of Barghest and hero of the Ash Glade!"

Barg puffed his chest out and smiled wide, clearly pleased with himself

"To the tavern! Barg is hungry and needs meats!"

Brengalyn watched the parade of mercenaries with interest. Her own experience with the company she'd grown up in was flooding back, days filled from dawn to dusk with sewing, scrubbing and scouring, patching and sharpening and polishing. Horses to feed and stables to muck out

Put her boots to her horse lightly she headed off in the direction of the tavern to await this Yannuf. Once they arrived she placed a couple gold on the bar

"Drinks, please. Several. And whatever food you have going. It's been a long road to get here."

"Impatience only brings more waiting, we'll have food and drink to fill us soon enough but for now we need to be planning our next moves."

Thamkis found her seat as best she could and stared at the others a moment

"Are we staying put, looking for work? I don't suppose any of you have ideas on where you'll head next if some work doesn't drop down?"

A rather plump woman with sure hands and an easy smile set out well made pewter tankards and a glazed pitcher of wine. It was a deep rose-red color and had the sweet metallic scent of wine that wasn't watered down.  She pulled the serving tray to her hip and beamed at them.

"I'm Hildegarde, the locals call me Hilly." She smiled wider and squeezed her shoulders together making her large breasts swell out a bit. "They say it because I'm tall, but I know the real reason. What can I get you traveler's? We have a few roast hens left in the kitchen and there is a boar roasting on the spit. Oh, and the bread is fresh, it came out of the oven yesterday just before dinner."

"Boar for me, a hen for the goblin. Whatever the two ladies are having, and bread yes."

Brena smiled at Hilly with the thinnest veneer of warmth. Her . . . particular assets were certainly noteworthy, but they couldn't beat a roast chicken and some wine and a game or two of dice for Brena.

She looked to Thamkis once the woman had left and took another draught of her wine.

"If we remain as a group, I'd say seeing how this goblin fight is progressing is smart. These people are in need of strong arms, and what's more getting desolated by the goblins won't leave them alive to pay for mercenaries again. It's in all best interests to see these people protected . . . even better if the goblins live to turn their wills to more fruitful work. Never seen blind ambition as a goblin's flaw, more taking orders from on high. We cut the head and those goblins will be like Barg here, ready to put shoulder to the wheel and push to make a better life."

"Two hens! Barg has powerful hunger!"

Barg slammed his fists on the table and threw his head back in a mad laugh before grabbing a tankard with both hands and tilting it back . . . and not drinking anything. Of course! He filled the tankard first and then tilted it back to gulp the red stinky liquid before licking his lips and letting out a satisfied sigh

"Barg does not care where we go, but Barg will go with you all. Barg will test his strength and the greatest strength of all is to do good! He knows this!"

Penny rummaged through her pack trying to find something "Those dang pixies ran off with my journal again!" she threw her hands up in defeat and sank into a tall pint. Smiling at Hilly's chest then her face. The joys of being short she thought. " You are a very pretty lady Hilly. I wouldn't mind something sweet, do you have anything with honey or cinnamon?" she asked hopefully. Penny dusted off her dress and tied her hair up.
Turning to the others she nodded "I'm down for anything as long as I'm having fun and you all are very fun" she beamed "Even miss sour Bren" she stuck her tongue out at the mercenary.

Thamkis waved off the wine

"Thank you, but no. I would love some tea if you have it, or perhaps a hippocras if you don't? And bread will do we just fine thank you."

She busied herself with feeding small bits of waybread from her pack to Graham until Penny spoke of sourness.

"Sour Bren!?"

Thamkis gave a tut and a finger wag

"I'll have you know I was sour long before any of you were born!"

The elderly halfling tried her best to look old and wizened and stand-offish, but a thought occured to her as she looked again to Penny

"Well, that is . . . I suppose when you were born I wasn't yet middle-aged. I sometimes forget you gnomes are one of the elder races, formed in the first age."

OOC: Too funny, great job

Penny shrugged into her mead. Placing a finger up as if to say one moment please as she downed it, placing it down with a belch. "Apologies then sour Grandmother" Penny winked, "We're just a bunch of old girls and Barg living it up now aren't we? Still, I'm fifty so I guess I'm technically older then Bren. You hear that? You gotta respect your elders Bren" she stuck her tongue out jokingly.

"In goblin dens, we show respect to biggest, fattest goblin. Goblin who is biggest gets most food after all, and a goblin who grows big is fit to rule! Strongest one is biggest one. But Barg knows secret, for Barg is not biggest and Barg is strongest. Is more guideline."

He looks around the table

"So Pennypurse should listen to Bren, she is biggest."

"I like Barg's idea, personally."

Bren laughed at the whole situation, shaking her head

"You all are a delight I have to say. Best company I've had since I set out on my own."

Their server returned, all smiles and cleavage, with a large tray laden with whole chickens, bread, cut fruit, fresh vegetables, a pitcher of wine, a pitcher of beer, fresh bread, and cutlery. She set the tray down with a little strain and began spreading out plates and mugs followed by the food, and then pouring drinks. Her smile never faded, anyone who cared to look at her got a wink, and without a word she was off again in the growing crowd.

Barg took his chicken in his gnarled clawed fingers and began the process of jointing the poultry, licking the grease of his fingers as he began with the white meat and moved to the dark, hungrily devouring a chicken in it entirety before looking up again.

"So have friends decided on direction?"

Pouring out more to drink Bren considered Barg's question

"We should check with these folk, offer our services. It'll be tough, errant adventurers are bad for mercenary business, but we might be able to work as fixers here and there for a week or so, a month at most. Do some good, make some coin. I imagine none of you object?"

"Once you get to my age, you find yourself in need of far less reason to go anywhere, and fewer places to be. I think seeing these people safe sounds like a lovely idea."

While the others indulged Thamkis mostly slowly ate her food and avoided the beer and wine.

Penny chimed in "What about that outpost we passed? We did intend to go back and help them"

In reply to Penny Perseus (msg # 90):

"As good a place as any to start!"

Brena raised her cup in salute to Penny

"Might I entreat you fine people to dine on my coin while I check you interest in working to fix a problem my company is having?" the voice from the crowd belonged to a tall man clad in fine furs and a lavish purple cloak. "My name is Remmick Stohl, though most people here about simply call me Remmi. Nice to make your acquaintance."

He bowed with a bit of a flourish. A small man was standing nearby with the demeanor of a bantam awaiting orders.

"Or we start here!"

Brengalyn turned to face the man

"Hello Remmi, pleased to make your acquaintance! I am Brengalyn of the Dusk Basilisks, and these fine people here are freelancers I associate with in these times, to better resolve problems for the virtuous and gods-fearing. May I make the introduction of Barg the goblin, Penny Perseus and the goodwife Thamkis and her esteemed familiar the Viscount Graham Quackers."

She swept a hand over the table and returned to Remmi

"What problem are you having?"

"Remmis Toll, Barg is pleased to be making the acquaintance!"

Barg reached into his belt pouch to take out his shiny blue rock, holding it in hand. The foot was gamey indeed.

"Well met, Master Goblin." The man had an easy smile and a practiced manner. "It has come to my attention that a band of marauding orcs, deserters from the local war, have been raiding my hunting camps in the night and stealing the pelts my hunters have so diligently gathered."

He set himself into a chair and waved to the bantam and spoke a simple, "Wine, several pitchers," over his shoulder.

"These Orcs seemed unable to prevent you from crossing the battle lines to deliver the Lady, er, that distressed elf maiden to the healers in the camp." He smiled and waved to a merchant in the crowd as the man passed by. "It would seem such adventurous and honest people could be trusted to help me secure my hunting camps and my merchandise. This is of extreme importance to me, I would reward you all handsomely."

"Handsome rewards from a handsome man. I can certainly do that. How much gear and goods are we talking? Will we need mules and carts, or will you be retrieving your merchandise after we've driven off the orcs?"

Thamkis abstained from the wine for the moment, but didn't draw too much attention to that.

"It was a little luck and a lot of fierce battle prowess from my goblin associate here, I assure you. But we can certainly try to retrieve your goods and secure your hunting camps. Are there men trapped behind the orcs' lines, or goods? I don't mean to sound dismissive, but living people require a faster pace and are more complicated to move quickly."

Brengalyn kept a cool attitude and a pleasant smile, as this would likely be an open and shut sort of contract, but the details were important.

"My hunters and their attendants find themselves facing a pair of obstacles." He went on to explain. "You see the area in which they are hunting is in a secluded valley some ten miles from here, on the other side of the area that is currently serving as a battleground. The other obstacle is the nature of the merchandise in question. It is of a most unique nature and I fear that some of my hunters may be conspiring to procure this merchandise for their own gain. I cannot substantiate this, of course, since I am not among them. But the nature of their poor communications to me makes me believe that something deceptive is afoot."

He sat himself at the table as the pitchers of wine were delivered. It smelled sweet, strong, and expensive. He began pouring wine into cups as he spoke more, "As for the handsome rewards. I will provide you with mounts, wagons, ammunition, rations, water, and the like as you need from my trading post. Sorry, that would the Half-tailed Dragon Emporium and Merchandisers. It is located at the edge of town to the northwest. As for rewards, if you deliver my merchandise I will reward each of you with one thousand golden coins. If you should discover a plot and have to face my hunters I completely understand. No harm or accusation will be leveled against you."

In reply to GM (msg # 98):

"Well, with the addition of equipment and the explanation, I think that sounds like something we can help with. I'll trust my associate Thamkis to inspect the equipment, if only to ensure we set out knowing what we have. And then we will set out."

Brengalyn looked to Barg and Penny

"Unless either of you have questions, objections or conditions?"

"Barg hopes your hunters are lost or hurt!"

Barg smiled a toothy wide grin

"Barg would prefer it, much nicer to rescue from danger than to hurt for plotting!"

"Yes, yes, I sure your meaning." The man seemed a little at odds with what to say. He smiled on, though, and looked Barg in the eye. "Master Goblin, my thanks to your commitment to this endeavor and I sincerely hope that no harm befalls you."

He signaled for the Bantam man and spoke over his shoulder, "My good man please hustle off to the trading post, tell Martin that our newest employees with be in soon to pick up supplies and sundries from their journey. The company will cover their costs.'

With that the attendant left the room to make his way across town.

"Come, let us eat, I'm sure you will want a full belly for your trip." He said as he spread butter over a slice of bread.

Thamkis didn't need to be told twice, grabbing her own bread and getting stuck into the butter, weatherd hands skillfully spreading before she popped the seasoned piece in her mouth.

"As it should be. A full belly and a clear goal. We'll make good progress on this, I can feel it in my bones."

Brengalyn took pains to gather an overly generous share of food and drink, her subtlety  outmatched by gluttony it seemed.

"Too right, a full belly and a good start, and gold in hand for both. A good deal all around."

"No fall can beharm Barg! He is too good at balancing!"

The goblin said little else once food was truly in the offing, devouring a copious share greedily and messily, eyes sparkling with delight.

Thamkis found herself done first (there was little one could do if one didn't drink, after one had their fill of food) and excused herself to begin preparing the wagon and mules. Taking time to brush the mules and feed them, she scoured her cauldron waiting to see if the others would be ready to set off soon

(OOC: that is a great visualization. well stated.)

Penny smiled "We would be happy to help you Mister" she placed her hand at his wrist, giving it a good feel before smacking at something invisable at her ear. "Seriously? Everytime I meet someone new!" she huffed "pixies"

Barg gorged himself and quaffed much ale before excusing himself to visit the outhouse.

Staggering back, he flopped down near the wagon to rest while he waited for the others

"Barg is SOOOOO FULL. Might blow up like a ball, roll ahead of wagon!"

Porters from the trading post delivered arrows, bolts, kegs of ale and water, a crate of rations, several bottles of wine, a bucket of coal, torches, blankets, and a large tent to put over the entire wagon. Barg was stepped over with care not to drip mud in his direction. The horses were groomed, fitted with new shoes, and watered before being put to their harness.

"Ladies and gentlem, er, goblin, it our pleasure to assist you. Please take care in your duties and we thank on the behalf of our embattled brothers." One of the porters told them once the work was done.

The sun was high overhead. Midday and lunch was finishing. The sky was clear and blue with a few puffs of white clouds in the distance. Despite this, the echoes of war rumbled to them from miles away to the west and southwest.

Brengalyn, still a little day drunk from the sudden working lunch, oversaw the loading with glee and a little high energy.

"Glad to do it, glad to do it, thank you for being so prompt to load all these things."

She picked up Barg and put him in the wagon, careful not to set him off after so full a lunch

"Rest up Barg, battle probably awaits."

Saddling up her horse, Brengalyn rode ahead of the wagon. After a time, the buzz of the wine cleared and she got down to thinking about tactics and speculating on problems they'd face potentially.

"We should be ready to pull off the road if another of those crashing fights comes across our path again. The orcs and elves and men won't give much warning."

The loading complete, the little group mounted its horses and wagon and began sauntering out town. The road was good for some miles, until it ran up into the wooded hills. The seasonal rain runoff and loamy soil made for rutted, muddy tracks that took the draft horse quite some time to get through without overworking them.

Despite this, the group made good time and covered nearly a quarter of their journey to the hunter's camp by sunset. Coming across a particularly flat stretch of land that wasn't too rocky and offered decent cover they found a spacious place to camp for the night. In the distance the sounds of running water drifted up into the hills. The river, well one of them, was nearby. That meant fresh water and fresh fish.

And fresh toads and salamanders it occurred to Barg.

Barg sprung from the wagon when the call was made to camp

"Barg smells river! Squish lizards and wart frogs, Barg will make soup! Teach Thamkis ancient goblin recipe!"

Rummaging in his pocket pouch, Barg drew out his spotted frog, who croaked in protest

"Listen Crunch! Hear the songs of the river!"

The camp was coming together quickly. Fire, fire wood, horses unlimbers, combed, and at graze....Barg grabbed an old bucket from the wagon and sallied forth to the nearby river. It was broad and flat, and he soon found his time spent skipping flat river stones over the river's surface and digging up mud runners, slime slinkers, green leapers, and winged crunchies. The bucket was nearly full when the heavy quarrel lanced through it as Barg balanced in atop his head.

Across the river, some thirty yards away, a trio of Orc scouts laughed as one with a heavy crossbow reloaded as quickly as he could. But, it was funny. He had bragged he could hit the little goblin right in the brain bucket. And, well, he did shoot Barg in the bucket after all.

Up the ridge along the road Thamkis was just getting the cook fire to an acceptable roar for making a pot of scalding tea when a heavy quarrel passed through her tea pot. Its burnished bronze was warped and pierced in a most sacrilegious manner. The fire of anger burned hot enough to influence the fire before her. As it blazed up to engulf the two partridges spitted above it.

Noticing this, Brengalyn quickly tracked back along the quarrels like flight path and see two Orc scouts. One was busily reloading a heavy crossbow as the other let lose with a quarrel that narrowly missed her.

Penny was just setting aside a pot of lentils and onion for Thamkis when the quarrel passed through the teapot to strike the ground near her knee. Startled she nearly spilled the pot. Reacting naturally she rose to her feet and looked for the source of the bolt. Then the fire blazed in time with Thamkis' anger. Penny stepped back several paces. This could not be a good thing!

"Oh spokes and ruts!"

Thamkis' fingers touched her hair, a silvery strand following each finger as she wove them together in the air, a silvery ball sailing towards the orc who'd shot at them. The one she could see at least

OOC: web bolt attack roll touch 23, if it hits the orc he gets a DC 15 Reflex save verses the effect of a person web spell

"Penny, take cover, there's bolts a-flying!"

OOC: Initiative 20, move to climb out of the wagon to get a better view, drawing my crossbow

Brengalyn moved aside as the arrow sailed past, mostly startled and a little bit instinct. She drew her fine darkwood bow, a purple fletched arrow to hand as she drew, breathing a moment and loosing at the other one from Thamkis

OOC: attack roll 17, damage 6, initiative 20

While Thamkis wanted to get closer, laying covering fire from near the wagon suited the towering half-elf fine

Barg made an eeep and then snarled at the attacking orcs. Shoot his bucket? He's shoot them! With his bucket!

OOC: attack roll natural 1, bucket is broken as per improvised weapons rule. Impromptu Armament and Throw Anything class features used to no avail

Trying to throw the bucket and simply sending it sailing end over end into the water, Barg dropped to all fours and scampered towards the other side the orcs were on, trying to close the distance

OOC: if necessary swim check of 22, initiative of 25
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Mon 26 Apr 2021.

A bolt passes by Barg as and Orc lets loose and misses. His companion charges forward to attack Barg with mace and shield drawn.

Hurrying to reload, the Orc is struck the web bolt. Caught in a mass of webbing and unable to extricate himself. Nearby, the free Orc scout tried to turn, flee to warn what forces were close. An arrow suddenly sprouted from its back, knees buckling the Orc toppled into the dirt in pain with a yelp.

(I am glad I did not use public rolls. It was really embarrassing how poorly this round went for the bad guys.)

Snarling, Barg waded to the other side and moved to try and grab the orcs and drag them back. The bloodlust was strong, but he tempered it knowing a bite held back might mean more information for the others . . .

The Orcs were neither afraid nor docile as they cursed and fought their bindings. Barg smiled, plopping his butt down on one Orc's forehead. He had used all the rope at his disposal to tie up the pair of scouts. The looked like angry, cussing sausages. He giggled and looked to he others.

"Drag them back here Barg, let's see what use we can find for them!"

Brengalyn called out to Barg, trying to remind the goblin not to start biting anyone until they were done.

Penny tugged at Breng's sleave. "I think I might be of some use" she hummed swaying back and forth. She walked over to the orcs. "Hello gentlemen. I see you find yourselves in a bit of a predicament. I can promise you that your situation may become more pleasant if you yourselves become more agreeable." She smiled sweetly at the orcs, "Are either of you thirsty?"

ooc Diplomacy 17:19, Today: Penny Perseus rolled 15 using 1d20+10 ((5)).

"I'd offer tea, but someone shot my teapot!"

Thamkis watched the orcs with a withering glare, the kind of disapproval only a true old lady could muster.

"A spot of tea would be nice." An Orc scout said. "But don't go to any bother on our account."

"Shut it, Borrs, we has no words for these ones." The other replied in anger. "You'll get nothing from us. Nothing I tells you. So, go on then, rip our nails. See if we cares."

In reply to GM (msg # 123):

Barg stopped his circling at the suggestion, standing up behind the orc

"Okay!"

Barg leaned across the orc who'd encouraged nail ripping from behind, putting his weight down on the warrior's back and reaching for the warrior's fingers, a difficult prospect but one which Barg seemed determined and gleeful to help with.

"Of all fingers, Barg like's lady's and fish's most, but orc fingers can make necklace!"

OOC: as I don't think we're in the market for cold-blooded torture, putting some road blocks in Barg's way as he's otherwise likely too fast and strong for the party to tell him off before he'd snap a finger

"Wait, wait, get that runt offa me!" The Orc shouted. "That's me bow fingers. An Orc's gotta hunt. Torture him, Borrs is soft in da noggin anyway."

The other Orc laughed for second, then realized he as the object of his companions words. A nasty look came over the Orc's face like he wanted to do unspeakably vile things to his companion.

"No torture." Brengalyn said in orcish before continuing in Common

"Torture's pointless, I think you'll find. Messy and mostly done to please the torturer rather than get information. We don't have time to isolate you, starve you and that like, so instead I think we'll help you. For a price. We'll spare you in exchange for information you might know about a merchant caravan nearby. We seek it for our own purposes. If you have information, you go free. If you can guide us to it, we might be able to spare you food and goods."

"Bah, you lie. You are no more than a race traitor." The angry Orc said. "Riding with night witches, pixie lovers, and miscreant gobos. To the grave with you I say."

The other Orc scout was still staring hatred at his companion over the torture remarks. Without warning he suddenly craned his neck and bit off half the angry scout's ear.

"Ah, damn you. What was that?" The half ear shouted.

"Tellin them to torture me." The bloody mouth Orc said. "I don't know nothin about no caravan, just them wagons up the road. They ain't even anything to us. We's got orders to let'em through. Spose to find the fighters of that camp, the mercenaries."

Penny was slow on the take with Barg, she wasn't able to stop the goblin but when the orc bit the other she smacked him with her feeble strength and then the other "Stop that! Thats no way to treat your fellow warrior, either of you!" She took out a hanky and wiped the orcs mouth of blood, then used the same one to stop the bleeding from the others ear. "Now are you going to behave? There are worse tricks the fey can play on you then that believe you me! Don't make me ask them."

"Wagons is what we're looking for, so you're already helping."

Brena smiled, crossing her arms

"Orders from who?"

The bit ear Orc scout shouted at his companion, though he was only a foot or say away, saying, "Don't tell them. You know what Boldfrog will do to us if you tell them who he is!"

The other Orc scout nodded, his face turned from a deep wart green to a paler nauseated green. He looked from his tattered ear companion to Brengalyn and said, "We's ain't telling you a thing. Boldfrog will skin us and eat us for sure."

Boldfrog Gorsh! It was known name. So was Boldfrog the Slayer, Killa Gorsh, and the Grim Blade. He had been leading warbands and raiders for nearly twenty years. Few Orcs had been as successful, as merciless, or as terrible with money as Boldfrog Gorsh.

Brengalyn smiled.

"So our issue is with Boldfrog Gorsh?"

"How would I know?" The Orc scout with the bitten ear said. "We just follows the orders we git. And Boldfrog gives tha orders. And he pays in gold. You gotta a mercanary's look, you know the game. Them that pays are tha ones that gives tha orders."

"We was just scouting the road. Trackin tha wagons from that trapper's camp." The other one said. He seemed much more agreeable now. "We don't got orders to kill to no one unless theys interfiguring, uh, introducin, oh, unless theys could stop us from taking them wagons of furs."

In reply to GM (msg # 132):

"You made a VERY big mistake! You shoot at Barg!"

Barg scampered up on the bit ear orc's back, licking his thin lips

"The Boldfrog is strong, yes?"

His eyes gleamed

"InterFERing."

Thamkis dug into her pockets to produce a bag of sand and carefully poured some into her palm

"I've a pinch of sleeping powder here, and if you don't start cooperating I'll knock you asleep and leave you here for the wolves."

"If you know mercenary work, you know that them that pay also can be outbought. But what do you do when you're jumping camps, hm? You help the new boss take down the old."

Brengalyn looked at her companions

"Seems you two could use some resources and a group who never seen you, is what I hear."

"You can't beat Boldfrog, little Gobo." The angry Orc was angry again. Barg wasn't sure why but he had sneaky suspicion he preferred working for Boldfrog, a male, over Brengalyn, who was female and had the scout at an estremely humiliating disadvantage.

"I don't want to be eaten by them growlers. The wolves in these woods is nearly imbisibble at night." The other scout said. He seemed oblivious, or simply ignored, the other scout's words to Barg. "Grays they is. And sneakish like ghost."

After a few seconds the calmer of the two finally looked at the angry one and said, "You know, you been upset this whole campaign. What with your naggin wife back home, them debts you awes to Master Althis, and always complainin that we don't get to eat enough even tho we kills so many. Maybe the she Orc got a better offer."

Penny tilted her head, "She-orc? Is she pretty? tell me about her?" She went to her bag and produced some trail rations, offering each orc some food. "What type of offer?

"Tanks." The Orc smiled, he had forgotten all about his bitten ear. "She was a smart one, bein' a Druid an all. Left five days ago. Went east. Said she would pay gold for service, wanted to tame them wild lands to the east. Bah, that is dangerous work. A lot of critters live in those woods."

He sidled up on one side, "Could you cut me hands loose. That bag of rations is calling to me."

Brengalyn looked over at the bag of rations and walked to it, taking a piece of dried gnomish mushroom in hand and holding it in front of the orc's face

"Reach for it, we weren't born yesterday."

"Oh, she-orc is a druid? Barg shall test her strength too! Or get her and Boldfrog to make team, beat both at once! Barg will be very strong if he defeats two at once."

Barg took out his own rations, gnawing on a large smoked cricket the size of a rat.

"Barg is strong though, and he will not be mad for orcs insulting the tall woman. She is able to handle weak little orcs."

Thamkis scoffed at all the back and forth, shaking her head and going off to the wagon. Once there she took out a small handful of grains from one of her packs, and chewing them before swallowing and letting out a low whistle and warble

OOC: commune with birds, what do the birds in the area have to say about the general situation? Orcs, troops movements, possibly a weird druid?

The Orcs stretched their necks and ate like goats reaching for fresh grass through the rails of a fence. It would have been comical if it weren't for the fact that they were scouts for an army.

Thamkis conversed melodiously with the birds. It took a moment for the others to realize. But it became clear after a few minutes. She was surprised to learn that there was an encampment of over a hundred orcs riding big dogs less than a mile from where she stood. Just follow the stream to towards the sunset.

"Quiyaergo"

Thamkis waved a hand, a dark pall falling on one orc, then the other

OOC: Slumber hex, DC 16, should knock them out for three rounds once successful. I can do this all day though.

"Orcs less than a mile out. Across a stream to the west."

Thamkis sang her thanks in the tongue of birds before letting the spell wither away.

"These two will need dealing with . . . "

She pointed to a nearby tree

"We should leave them."

OCC: that was slick thamkis.

Brengalyn wasted no time hefting and moving the orcs as Thamkis ensorceled them to sleep, putting them behind a tree.

Frankly she was concerned the halfling would suggest killing them, which would bring its own problems. Out here, even a hidden dead body attracted animals. A live one simply stunk.

"So I assume we should probably either skirt the orc camp, or confront them with an eye towards driving them off . . . "

She looked at Barg, wary of his bloodlust

"I vote we try to avoid them. It's outside the contract we negotiated."

In reply to Brengalyn (msg # 145):

"Barg can fight! Barg will defeat all!"

Barg pouted at the prospect of avoiding fighting, but his eyes brightened

"We find camp, employer is happy! Then Barg can fight orcs, as a treat?"

"Dat crazy lil' gobo is bent!" One Orc said with a mouth full of food. "There is over forty Orcs in that camp. Raiders all."

"Hush, Quiyaergo"

Thamkis looked at the orc and waved her hand again, hexing him to sleep for the impertinence of interrupting their plans.

"We should do our job we were hired to do. And we should look into what these orcs are doing. If it's no concern of ours, then we let them be. We are not so godly as to decide if the wolf eats the fawn."

"We should get moving, ride and see if we can slip past this camp. If we can't . . . talk or fight, I suppose. I wasn't paid to be a fool though. We were paid to find this hunter's camp and recover the goods, bring the men back. If we can do that without killing the orcs I won't feel cheated."

Brengalyn looked to Barg

"But you might. So I won't hold you back if fighting starts. We're all professionals here, far be it from me to tell Thamkis how to cook or Penny how to sing."

"Is all Barg asks. Squid ro mo."

Barg wrinkled his nose and dropped to all fours, lumbering back towards the wagon

"Barg will behave. There will be time to prove Barg is strongest."

Penny smiled "Barg you don't have anything to prove we all can see just fine that you're the strongest" Penny snickered and the stars in her eyes appeared to twinkle. The orcs would live hopefully. So much death, so much death. Penny preferred to make friends not bodies.

A quick meal. A few tankards of stout. And a good nights sleep. In the morning the sky betrayed nature's intent to send a storm their way. The direction of the wind was in their favor, however, blowing their scent away from the camp.

Barg smiled happily. Tough weather would work against the Orcs as well. Rain meant mud, and mud meant camouflage.

Thamkis was packing her teapot, battle-scarred though it was, when she noticed the change in the air. It would be raining soon.

Penny was just packing her things and gathering her errant fey tag-alongs when the first peel of thunder broke through the morning sky to the northwest. She sighed, she had meticulously combed her hair out.

Brengalyn checked her gear, then her horse, and finally the draft horse. Busy work always made the time go by when she was anxious to be on the go.

"Going to be rain soon. We should get moving, maybe it will cover our tracks, let us slip by unseen."

Thamkis waited only as long as needed and then gave the reins of her wagon a flick to get the mules moving.

"Ooooh yes, rain is good thing for Barg. Most good. Stealth and soggy, and make for interesting fights!"

Barg was ready to go, and kept his eyes and ears open on the road to watch for fights trouble

OOC: take 10 for 17 Perception

The day wound on, but soon enough they approached the Orc camp. As if on queue with their movements a peel of thunder cracked overhead. Rain began falling only moments later. Thamkis hadn't seen such a downpour in at least thirty years. It would be sometime before this storm would let up.

Barg reveled. He couldn't see further than he could throw a purple-horn squig with both hands. The mud was cushioning his toes as water reached his ankles. The trees bent and creaked loudly in the whipping wind. The Orcs would never know what hit them.

Brengalyn simply made due, as old soldiers do, by keeping what gear she didn't need to keep at hand safe and dry. She rubbed her mount's neck, soothing it as the skies roiled with thunder and lightning. But, it was indeed a ferocious storm. Luckily it wasn't cold out.

Penny, despite the dreary afternoon storm's fury, still managed to look perky and bright. Though, it was decidedly difficult to keep up with her unruly, and tiny allies. They buzzed about excitedly. The thoughts of the whipping winds carrying them off did cross her mind, but if it did, well, they deserved. She warned them to be careful, she really did.

The Orcs had cleverly laid their camp out among the dense brambles of highland raspberries. It was a good way to lay in wait for game without risking detection while hunting. But, it was also easier to sneak in close to their camp.

Thamkis held out her hand, her familiar Graham flapping to perch.

She whispered to the duck made of biscuit as they approached the briars, the rain seeming to run off Graham as much as it soaked him, not causing the familiar to crumble yet

"If needed, Graham and I can move unhindered through the briars, we can get a better look."

Brengalyn grumbled, growing more sodden and miserable as the rain bucketed down. She resisted the urge to fling open her gambeson to get the wet padding and leather off her skin, as that would only soak what little was dry beneath, and leave her open to an orc arrow

"Let's circle round, see if we can gain some advantage. An old halfling woman and a duck do not a fearsome infiltration make."

"Barg will creep along, peep with eyes what orcs are doing. He is very sneak, most sneak you will ever meet!"

Rubbing his hands together, Barg grinned widely, oblivious to the rain

There was a loud, and quite unexpected, uproar in the heart of the Orc camp. There was yelling, cursing, finger pointing, spitting, and general rude behavior that dissolved into to two factions. One to either side of a large fire that crackled and hissed in the rain.

Swords and maces were brandished as both sides made to intimidate the other with threats of violence. Orcs hurled empty buckets and kicked mud towards one another. But the fragile peace held. Two leaders emerged, facing off across the fire at one another, and they soon began giving ultimatums to their rival about equal treatment for equal share of the spoils, equally sharing the risks, and evenly divvying out the food at meals.

"Mark those two Barg, we'll take them out if it comes to fighting."

Brengalyn motioned to the two orcs, watching the goblin intently to make sure he didn't sneak off

"Bren, do you think it might be a good idea to talk to them? Figure out what they're trying to do? I could distract them with my music" Penny's face lit up innocently.

"Honestly? Yes. I think the best method is to confront them and see what can be done. A peace is as good as a corpse to me, I'd say we spare ourselves the troubles and try talking."

Brengalyn looked to Barg

"And if it doesn't work, we'll have a fight unlike any other on our hands."

(OOC: this is a most awesome turn of events.)

The confrontation in the Orc camp seemed to balance on a knife's edge between rationality and overwhelming violence. It wouldn't take but a mere spark to ignite the fuel of anger, outrage, and ego.

Penny comes about, her instrument in hand. "Hello, ladies and gentlorcs! I was wondering if your camp was in need of some entertainment at all?!" she started playing a chord of the ukulele. She dropped the instrument, hurrying to pick it up she blushed. Slowly looking up nervously at the crowd she gathered "Umm, we have sweet treats and sweet beats????"

ooc Diplomacy 11 (why dice roller) XD

Barg moved low under the brush, keeping out of sight to watch Penny and prepare to protect her if she needed help

OOC: Stealth 33

Thamkis pushed through the brush, keeping low as well, the brambles and thorns moving aside as the wise woman approached, sparring her the worst of the snagging and cuts.

OOC: woodland stride, stealth check of 14

Brengalyn followed Penny out, standing behind the gnome. In orcish she called out to the warriors

"My friend speaks true, we mean no harm. We only want to talk, and to entertain you for a while. Who commands here?"

"I am Lesserof Twoevils, and I rule this mob!" A particularly tall, overwhelmingly muscled, and spectacularly blue skinned Orc stepped forward. "You, you are now my prisoner. Play me a tine to slay these fools by so that I may smile while I kill!"

There was a chorus of laughter. Another Orc stepped up next to the speaker and called out in a roar, "Usurper! Low-born! And infidel! May Grumsch have mercy on your soul for your head is mine!"

More laughter followed.

The two squared off as if about to attack one another. A tall, uncharacteristically skinny Orc stepped from the group of cheering and jeering onlookers. He was armored in a half plate, carried a pair of swords, and had the taciturn scowl of lifelong warrior. And not some mere raider or horde-rider.

"I'm Gutrid." He called in common tongue. "What did you want to talk about?"

In reply to GM (msg # 168):

"Gutrid, I am Brengalyn of Dusk. I have come at the request of my employer to find his missing shipment, and would be most pleased to be granted passage to search for it."

She turned to LessorofTwoEvils and gave a bow, responding in the tongue of orcs, her first tongue, if not one she'd used so often in recent years as the past few days

"Our band travels these lands, charged with seeking a lost wagon. Give it to us, or show us where it is, and we will not harm you. Your strength is known by the wind and trees, but ours is not known to you."

It was harsher in Orc, but the conversation was not one which needed subtlety. If Lesser was in command, coercion was in order, something which Barg and she had in spades. If Gutrid was the man to speak to, then he'd likely not mind the display

"Are we to parlay then?" Gutrid called loudly. Many Orcs turned at his words. More began to notice. The power to gain wealth, no matter the means, was power to be respected. "You have the authority to speak for your war leader then?"

Brengalyn nodded

"I do, in this matter. Our fight is not with you, and if we are allowed to pass through and find what we seek, perhaps there is something you need as well?"

The tall mercenary rubbed a thumb across the pommel of her ankus, watching Gutrid intently.

"Bah, skinny nag of mercenary whore!" An Orc shouted. "Hamstring her, bring her to heel, and put her on her back. It is her worth!"

Laughter followed. Gutrid turned.

"You would face this warrior in open combat then?" He asked the Orc. That is was one of the boisterous faction leaders just seemed fitting.

Cheers and jeers went up with raised fists and weapons as the throng of arguing Orcs rumbled their acquiescence to the situation.

"Of course. A real war leader has no fear from challenges in single combat." He said as he walked toward Gutrid and Brengalyn. "You would know things such as this, if, you were a true leader and not just a mercenary of low repute yourself."

Gutrid turned to Brengalyn and said, "This is the price of my assistance."

Penny screwed up her face, "I true leader also should know when he's out matched, I'm blind and even I can see that! You got this Bren!"

In reply to GM (msg # 172):

"It's been a while since I humiliated an orc, I'd need to stretch first . . . "

If Brengalyn heard the insult to her likening her to a camp follower, and she did, she tried to not let on. She stood stretching her arms one after the other, turning her head side to side to hear the pops before looking back slightly startled

"Open combat? You want me to get a warband and fight your warband?"

She looked to the other orcs

"Am I misunderstanding? I thought you'd want . . . a duel, a combat between us, a fight testing your might against mine. You have a band of warriors, I've only a gnome . . . and a crone and a goblin."

Heads spun. Gutrid pointed to Brengalyn, then to Penny, then towards Thamkis.

"No goblin in sight." Gutrid said in tone that sounded both threatening and suspicious.

"Here little gob-gob." An Orc called.

"Yes, come on out little goblins." Another began. "We could use the fresh meat. We's tired of the same old dried horse meat. Yes, come on out."

Barg grumbled, crawling out from his perfectly good hidey-place.

"Barg is coming, Barg is coming . . . grrr"

When he got out he stood tall, glaring up at the orcs

"Barg is here! He is strongest there is, but for now he follows tall woman and Penny Purse and Bamkiss."

He pointed to the orc who'd spoke of tired old horse meat

"Horse is food for weak ones! Goblins know, dog and horse are evil creatures who make weakness! Much better to get strong on bugs and rats!"

"Our goblin, Barg. I wouldn't try anything, he's powerfully aromatic."

Brengalyn eyed Gutrid

"One on one combat then? Or do you fancy me and my goblin's chances?"

The reaction of the Orcs to Barg was a combination of revulsion and contempt. But one in the back of the mob came stomping forward. He was missing his left eye and left ear. Dragging a obnoxiously large club in his wake he walked up to within ten feet of Barg and spat toward the Goblin's feet.

"You damnable gobolins is responsible for me peeper and dat missing ere." He shouted as he pointed with his freehand at his obvious former injuries. "Lurkin and slurkin, a sneakin into a Orc's tent with bent bladed knives and cruel hearts. Allies, bah."

Look back to Gutrid he says. "I wants this one. He's the right size for a decent meal."

Penny stepped between the orc and goblin, "I am sorry that happened to you. It must be awful to not be able to see properly. Please, Barg didn't do that to you. A different goblin did. Are we going to accuse all orcs for smelling bad or is it just that one over there?" she pointed at a random orc, "Maybe find some mint friend" The little gnome was shaking.

ooc 15 to diplomacy on the orc menacing Barg

In reply to GM (msg # 178):

"Barg appreciates your concern for his eating and accepts your offer."

The goblin smiled wide revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth.

"Barg does not mind when food is missing parts. Only gives character."

Brengalyn looked at Penny and Barg, her face clearly growing concerned, and then to Thamkis as if to beg please don't antagonize the orcs too, before turning back to Gutrid

"So that's a second volunteer! Seems we have the makings of a good old-fashioned fight on our hands!"

No one will ever recall exactly what happened or whom struck first.

In a the blink of eye the melee had been initiated. Like so much heavy oil smoldering near a fire, soon enough there was a explosive reaction.

(OOC: So, the big Orc is beside himself with Barg and that will be a fight for sure. Penny just accused smelly orcs of being smelly, but fingered one out as offensive by suggesting they all are which will prompt a general sense of 'da snotty nome needsa beatin', Brengalyn defied and honorable combat as defined by a dishonorable orc mercenary who will most likely cheat in the fight against her, and all of the old grudges that fueled the whole situation are about to boil over into general chaos. You guys really know how to throw a bonfire party! What would everyone like to do as this candle gets lit with a flamethrower?)

As soon as the fighting exploded, Brengalyn was off towards Gutrid, swinging low and bringing the hook of her ankus to his ankle and her shoulder to his chest, pushing

OOC: trip attempt 24, initiative 23

Barg launched himself at the orc who'd volunteered to be eaten, biting into him with sharp teeth and eyes gleaming, ripping and tearing.

OOC: initiative 14, rage, attack roll 14, damage 18, subsequent grapple natural 1

Thamkis looked to the sky, silently pleading with the gods. It had been long enough, surely she'd done enough? Why test her so? Why saddle her with quarrelsome youth? Why-HEY! That orc threw a javelin at her head!!

Choosing any orc who was not Gutrid or Barg's opponent, Thamkis intoned the magics of her blood, strengthened by her upbringing among the peaceful, industrious dwarves. With a word, a deep lethargy hopefully settled on her target

OOC: Slumber, DC 16

A stream of black oil jettisoned out of Penny's finger and aimed at the crowd of orcs.
ooc casting grease

What came next was a show of intense skill, brazen fury, sly magic, and something akin to a circus act.

Gutrid was a strong and fearsome Orc, but Brengalyn's attack used cunning, finesse, and good old fashioned cheating. Gutrid suddenly found his leg yanked from under him as she drove a shoulder block into his breast plate. The words 'ass over tea kettle' shot through the Orc mercenary's thoughts as he brought up his sword to defend the blow he assumed was about to descend on his skull.

Barg launched himself onto the one-eyed Orc with all his accustomed fury and vim. With a mighty, and muddy, splat, Barg impacted with the Orc knocking him a step back catching his balance. Barg, however, was unable to successfully sink his teeth or weapon into the Orc. Careening off the Orc's mailed chest and helmet like a muddy, goblin-shot from a catapult no less-Barg was sent skidding into the mud happily.

The Orc Thampkis targeted with her magic fell to the muddy soil, asleep before the sword fell from his fingers, with a smile on his face like he was in his mamma's arms once again. it was almost heart-warming. Almost.

Then, Penny happened. Greased Orc reached out for those nearby that weren't. Only spreading the dilemma as Orc grabbed Orc grabbed greasy Orc. Before long most were slicked, stumbling, and falling like drunken clowns. The laughter that followed was very much unexpected. And as disarming as a hold person spell.

And Gutrid would be right on that account, gripping her weapon in two hands Brengalyn rained blows down on the orc, trying to push him down and keep him down.

OOC: attack roll 12, damage 8. Him being prone he has a -4 to AC from melee attacks. If he tries to get up or crawl away (both provoking actions) Brengalyn will try to disarm him for the trouble (+12 bonus to disarm). AC drops to 21 when two-handing
This message was last edited by the player at 12:10, Wed 11 Aug 2021.

Barg turned on his heel and launched himself again at the one-eyed orc again, roaring and screaming as his tongue lolled

OOC: attack 25, damage 19, grapple check 7

Turning, Thamkis pointed to another of the orcs, nodding sagely at Penny's choice of spell to take the fight out of them

Finger outstretched, she wove another web of sleep across that wakeful orc

Penny began playing her ukulele
"
Pregnant women are smug
Everyone knows it, nobody says it
Because they’re pregnant

Effing son of a gun
You think you’re so deep now
You give me the creeps
Now that you’re pregnant

You’re just giving birth now
You’re not Mother Earth now

Pregnant women are smug
Everyone knows it, nobody says it
Because they’re pregnant

Effing son of a gun
You think you’re so deep now
You give me the creeps now
Now that you’re pregnant"

ooc Inspire courage

As the uproar and tumbling of greased Orc continued music and sung words filled the air swelling the hearts of the little party. Barg hurtled himself through the air again. His teeth sinking deeply into the brow of the one-eyes Orc and ripping away a significant portion of its skull in the process. As Barg glances off the Orc like a green skinned projectile again he takes away the Orc's other eye in the process.

Screaming in pain and fear, the Orc clutched its ruined face and toppled to his knees in spasms as massive amounts of blood flowed over powerful fingers to splat into the mud. Other Orcs looked on in surprise. One even winced in sympathetic pain.

Gutrid rolled the side and tried for a back-cut. For his effort Brengalyn rewarded the Orc mercenary with a black eye when the pommel of her ankus clubbed him. A broken wrist after she hooked the back the blade behind his wrist and used the blade a short lever. And he was disarmed when her knee smashed into his trapped hand sending his sword to the ground. And, just to add injury to insult, with a twist of her hips and a bit of a lunge she smacked the flat of the blade into his skull causing his ears to ring.

Thamkis drew great pleasure from the odd ways these Orcs fell once the sleep took them. This one fell back, arms spread wide, like he was falling backwards into a cool stream on a hot day. The smile on his face was both comical and perplexing. Just what was on their minds when the sleep took them?

Penny strummed her ukulele with practiced ease. The song came to her as easily as it would have in a tavern. That was good, her fears were not holding her back, and the song seemed to have the effect of adding a bit of fire to her companions.

One of the Orc's pointed at her shouted, waving his axe about, and took a step. Another stepped out and stopped him.

"Hey you, stop right there." The second Orc ordered. "I likes that song. Kind of reminds me of me sixth wife. A right good roll in the moss than one." He chuckled. The other Orc made to step past him and attack Penny. Then his head came off. The speaker sheathed a bloody short sword. "I tolds him. You all herd me. I tolds him to leave it be. Nows, I got to go and marry his wives. Takes care of his brats. Geesh, I sure hope he has some good'uns back home. Hey there girly, keeps that tune up. It's quite a dandy little serenation, it is."

Brengalyn pointed her ankus to Gutrid's throat, off-hand on the pommel

"Do you yield?"

OOC: not sure if the fight's over, so taking an action to ready an attack if he tries something

"Yes! Yes!" Gutrid shouted. He was bleeding and in pain. And the humiliation was severe, he would have to face many after this fight. "Yield, I yield! Stop, please."

Others, many of whom were close enough to have heard, seemed lost in their own woes at the moment. Brengalyn noticed that many were slipping and sliding about as it covered with grease. Barg was seemingly devouring the one-eyed orc one bite at a time. And, oddly, a few orcs were asleep. She sighed, this would be an odd tale to tell.

Barg strolled over, chewing, his eyes beady and his breathing heavy, before he swallowed, pulling his mouth into a gigantic smile.

"Barg is strongest? Orcs admit truth?"

Approaching Brengalyn, Barg held his hand up

"Highest of hands, tall woman! Barg thanks you for the assisting!"

Thamkis settled her hands down as the need to put orcs to sleep ceased.

Patting the blade at her hip and taking a moment to thank the gods for a nonlethal-

She looked at Barg, covered in gore and chewing

-mostly nonlethal fight.

Somewhere in the distance she fancied she heard a chuckle, but the sound had followed her errant thoughts all her years and it had never been anything material. Casting an eye to the fey-plagued Penny, Thamkis watched the air around her, trying to see if the fairies were about or had run away before some greater threat . . .

Chiding herself softly for her paranoia, the wizened halfling leaned on a walking stick and approached Brengalyn and Barg

"I believe there was a bargain struck, and one which we've held out ends of at that! Moreover thanks to myself, you've lost fewer than would have died fighting the green one."

The Orcs milled sullenly about. Many showed obvious signs of anger and desire for murder. But, none wished to be the first the try it against this group. Again.

"You are granted safe passage." Gutrid said through gritted teeth. "A camp four miles up the river, just south of the bridge. You will find the wagons you seek there. The hunters are most likely dead. Probably sacrificed to Gruumsh."

sorry so late, i let life get in the way.

"I accept your offer of safe passage, and may your bones crack if you speak false."

Brengalyn used an orcish turn of phrase to emphasize her position of momentary power, but she knew it wouldn't last. Gruumsh tolerated honour and agreements only so long as someone couldn't outsmart their enemy to seize victory.

She motioned to the others, trying to convey the urgency of making their way out as she cast an eye for Lesserof Twoevils, not wanting to try her luck against the massive orc as well.

Barg gave a whoop and a giant grin, following the tall woman eagerly, stopping to thumb his nose at the orcs, having clearly won the day and proved who was strongest

"Barg must learn tall woman's tricks! Very tricksy, tripping without eating from the middle. Must show Barg soon!"

Thamkis didn't say anything, as she was a person who didn't feel the need to speak in times like this

Catching up with Brengalyn, she touched the fighter's belt and fixed her with a look though, once they were clear of the orcs

"Well fought but poorly spoken. We should get clear of here before they attack."

Penny finished her song with a bow, "Thank you. " she smiled at the orc rummaging through her hair she produced a blue ribbon, "Have this, for helping me" she stared nervously at Bargs handywork, "Is he....dead?"

It was as if someone had befuddled the Orc camp. Greased Orcs still fumbled, fell, and frolicked like maddened beans. The leaders of the camp's factions eyeballed each other, Gutrid, and the Orc mauled by Barg with equal curiosity. But, under the skin of it, the camp was still keg of untapped rage.

Brengalyn waved off the matronly halfling's concerns as they made for their next path.

"The key, dear Barg, is to not lead with your teeth. I'm sure if you felt inclined, you could sweep a leg or pull an arm from your angle, get them on the ground. In my case it is because I wish to disable my opponent . . . I'd imagine you'd simply wish to defeat them by whatever means you could."

Penny continued on following her friends, quiet for a while. "Seemed like we left them in a raucous mood"

"Very rocky indeed! Heads like rocks, and Barg has rockiest!"

The goblin rapped his knuckles on his head, almost eliciting a hollow gourd noise, one might imagine

"Is why Barg lead with teeth, teeth is sharpest part of head!"

Penny clapped her hands excitedly, "Barg, that is such a lovely noise! May I?" she asked indicating his head. "Youknow, if we got a riding dog we could move faster. I think we should next chance we get!"

"Yes, a large shaggy dog will do wonders for our image. Too many people are distrustful of an old woman, a tall woman, a blind woman and a goblin."

Thamkis looked to Graham, who honked at her annoyedly

"Dog should even that right out."

The path to the encampment where the hunters, wagons, and the stolen goods was a fair bit to travel. Soon enough the day had worn long, often rainy and always muddy, to find the sun drooping in the west once again. The path, however, was not one of ease or security.

Being little more than a winding track through the dense forest of pine, oak, birch, and cedar, their path was a mere lane of recently disturbed earth. Rock strewn, uneven, root laden, and seldom in direct light of day; it was more of a smugglers route than a trade road. But still, they trudged on.

To the Orcs' credit they did not mount a pursuit. It was most likely that they were still a band divided and trying to avoid an Orc on Orc massacre to decide who would indeed lead the war band now. The Orc's that lay ahead would not be so encumbered by social disorder and indecision. They had been warring, raiding, and slaving along the river basin where the trappers had been so successful for some months now. Months during which no offensive action had caused the war band to flee.

But, it was getting darker, and cooler, under the canopy of leaf and needle. Time for a camp, a meal, and a warm fire followed by a few drams of fiery brew and a good nights' rest. Then thunder cracked overhead and the wind began to pick up somewhat.

Thamkis collected the dishes and began scrubbing and cleaning, a weather eye on the gathering clouds and rain.

"Best to get under cover, looks like rain."

Pouring out measures of fiery brew, she passed them around to the others.

Barg cackled heedlessly at the prospect of rain, happy as a . . . well a goblin in rain!

Skipping out from the shelter of the wagon he lolled his tongue out and tried to catch any errant rain in his mouth, giggling freely.

Brengalyn for her part leaned back and relaxed, enjoying her dram of fiery brew (and Barg's too if he was foolish enough to leave it unguarded) and grumbled looking at the gathering weather

"I don't like the idea of traveling in the rain, but we might need to strike camp early tomorrow and head out. Even if the weather persists. We can't wait for the right conditions to push on."

Penny sat, watching Barg dance,"Agreed, there's no telling if it'll get worse either. We'd best leave while we can but for now...." Penny took a long good sip of her brew, placing an empty cup down, she undressed down to her underclothes. walking over to Thankis she placed her shall around the elderly woman's  shoulders "Lets have a little fun!" she smirked before following Barg out into the rain.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:44, Sat 09 Oct 2021.

The rain continued all night. Barg and Penny danced and frolicked in the rain as Thamkis laughed and put away the crockery. Brengalyn, despite herself, enjoyed the duo's antics as well. In time they would settle in; sleeping in turns to take a watch. The night was mostly uneventful. An old oak was struck by lightning while Barg was on watch. With much glee he dug fat grubs from the still burning trunk and plopped them into his mouth.

Morning would find Thamkis on the last watch of the night. She had her old tea kettle, battle damage and all, hanging over the fire and quietly whistling that the pot was at a
boil. Removing the kettle she would add the tea leaves to steep as she set out dense black bread, cinnamon butter, and slices of hard pastrami.

Penny yamned, placing her hand on her face then she noticed it  "Pixies!" wiping the mud off of her hands and then her face she sighed. "Morning Thamkis! did you have a good sleep?"she rolled over, staring at the elderly woman upside down from the wagon.

The whistle of the tea was a point in space for the old halfling, an aural beacon around which she could move with little thought to her space as she made breakfast. A nip from a flask in her robes made her head swim, and she sniffed and blinked for a few moments before she found her way back through the whine.

Thamkis looked up from the spread of food she was laying out, her face cracking with weathered wrinkles as she pulled it into a smile, her dark red-ringed eyes watching Penny

"No Penny. I did not. I don't sleep well most nights, and when I do it's dark, dreamless. It's the price I pay for the life I've led. But more importantly, did you sleep well?"

Wetting two fingers with her flask, she flicked a few drops of an emerald liquid into the air, the alkaline smell of the evaporating vapors dancing over Penny's head

"Any visions in the night?"

Memories flashed through Penny's thoughts like lightning on the horizon at dawn. Faces of men and orcs, screaming, snarling, and.....singing. A tall human. Handsome in the way of sinewy warriors. Hard and scarred, holding a bloodied sword, and running. Barg, oh little Barg, flying through the air teeth first. The memories faded, like the scent of fresh bread on the wind. Longingly welcome but soon faded to nothingness.

In reply to GM (msg # 217):
 She walked over to hug Thamkis, "I'm sorry you've lived a rough life. Maybe I can help you sleep tonight? I'm sure Desna has something for you"

Penny smiled  "Just stuff that happened, or maybe it will happen again? Desna is strange like that. oooh! There was a dreamy looking man. I do hope we get to meet him. But I'm guessing there will be a fight between humans and orcs, which is a shame because half-orcs are so very cute." the gnome smiled thinking of boys and girls and everyone inbetween for a moment. "Sorry, its been a long while. Ignore my silly silly talk." Penny blushed.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Tue 19 Oct 2021.

"Half-orcs are only quarter cute, because goblins are cutest as well as strongest and smartest and fastest!"

Barg awoke from his shelter of piled blankets and rags to scratch his backside and go digging in the wagon for some tea leaves to chew

"Man of dreams will likely be GREAT enemy who Barg will defeat with teeth!"

"It's been a while for us all, though I suspect Thamkis would need oiling and buffing before any major project could be undertaken . . . "

Brengalyn exited her bedroll, almost comical next to her small allies but equally bed-headed and in need of breakfast

"Spent a lot of time around humans, orcs and half-orcs, and my brother excluded I can say most I've met are quite pleasant to talk to. Hagetur is . . . pleasing to listen to but eternally annoying. Especially because he ages so quickly while my father stuck me with the long slow path. All things take time, he'd say . . . to which I would gladly remind him our mercenaries are paid by day and month."

Setting her own kettle to boil, Brengalyn set to work grinding some powder from her pack

"At least I'll still be lovely and hale when Hagetur is old and senile . . . "

The morning passed with little excitement. Well, there were pixies. And frogs. And few annoying fairies. Once packed and prepared, especially after Thamkis had a moment to rub lineament oils into her joints, they set out in the rain. The trip was boring, chilly, and often fraught with mudslides and tree falls. Barg was delighted.

In the late afternoon the smell of burning pine was present on the wind. Blowing to them from the west, they changed course. After several hills they came to a muddy track that led towards the distant glow of a large fire. The camp where the hunters and their cargo were. But, it didn't look to be a hostile camp, it looked like a hunter's camp. Pelts hung in hoops drying under tarps near the fire.

Penny smiled pointing to the camp, "Oh! who do you think we're going to get this time? maybe humans or orcs or more elves?" her eyes widened "what if it's a grup of friendly rock people!" she strung her ukulele in excitement.

Brengalyn chuckled

"Friendly rock people, that would be nice. Perhaps they'd trade ores and gems for rope and other things we have on the surface world. It would be a nice peaceful time . . . "

"Barg can make friends with rocks! Or . . . Barg can throw rocks at friends!"

Barg was evidently confused about friendly rock people

"Barg will sneak ahead, sniff for danger?"

OOC: Survival check 12 to orient on what our path was, how close are we to the camp we were hired to find?

Thamkis crumbled up some hardtack and held it out to Graham to eat from her hand

"We should consider the place, and approach carefully."

The camp was what one might expect from a hunter's camp; people toiling away with everyday chores. But, there was one exception. Several Orcs were standing about near the trail that ran next to the camp. They looked to be on guard, that meant they were board, ornery, and looking for trouble to make.

A huge smile spread across Barg's face, and with a twinkling eye he dove down into the brush and crept forward to get closer to the orcs . . .

OOC: Stealth check 18

Penny smiled "I'm sure they'll be friendly. Why don't I just go say hi?" She thought back to last time "Or maybe that's a bad idea..."

"We might as well approach the camp . . . Penny and Thamkis at least. I might see what these orcs want."

Brengalyn drew her ankus and padded forward

OOC: Stealth check 14

Barg made himself one with the terrain. Or more specifically, its mud, its brush, its frogs, and its fetid puddles. As he neared the first cluster of Orcs, four in total, Barg could see tents and leans-tos among trees, and another thirty or so Orcs.

As Brengalyn, Thamkis, and Penny began moving towards the camp they began spotting signs of trouble. An Orc was shouting orders and cracking a whip at a group of hunters busily preparing hides. Another Orc was standing, drinking ale from a tankard, and bossing around a group of hunters as they loaded bundles of hides onto a wagon. The worst was the sight of a hunter that had been crucified in a tree.

Penny looked towards Bren. "This is not okay. What if we quietly lured some out to deal with. I could use the old slip-n-slide right into your blade Bren "

"Best we do it quick."

Thamkis reached into her sleeve, her fingers coming out trailing small strands of spider's web

"I'll catch a few in my web, send them to slumber afterwards"

She followed Penny with her cane digging into the soil as she inched forward

"Your spells would both help me deal with them, but thirty and more orcs would be a challenge. I shall have to commission a song from you Penny to mark the occasion."

Lacking any weapons to deal with their numbers, Brengalyn looked for a good place to fight from so Thamkis and Penny could do their work

OOC: Perception or Survival as appropriate . . . 9

Penny thought for a moment, taking out a copper wire she put it up to her mouth "Barg, this is Penny's magic we're planning on trapping orcs. Can you lead them towards us one at a time? You can reply this message. Watch for the oil and webs"

ooc casting grease and then message
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

Barg grinned widely

"Barg will lead. Most good idea coming."

Barg then tried to shake a bush lightly to get one of the orcs to investigate . . .

OOC: and rolled a 7 total

(OOC: that was just too good. A 7! there is a god of retribution that loves GMs after all.)

Barg tried to nonchalantly rattle a bush to draw the attention of an. It didn't rattle. It swayed. It shook. It bent. It broke. With an agitated sigh the barbarian decided to rattle the bush none matter what the bush the wanted. There was a teeth-clenched grunting sound followed by a leaf showering rattle of the thin wooden strands that sent twigs cascading about. The bush still didn't actually rattle.

An Orc looked at the bush. Then several looked. And others. It seemed it was something to behold as a nearly invisible Goblin barbarian suddenly dissolved into bush killing existence. The laughing was soon drowned out when a warboss shouted commands. And in that instant Orcs and Goblins all new it was time to run.

Barg whooped with glee. He had drawn many of the green skins. Anger and belligerence fueled them. Barg giggled, such foolishness it was to let the fuel of such glorious rage go to waste. He could see the others. For some reason they didn't seem as excited about the Orcs chasing Barg.

"Oh hells and pits!"

Brengalyn choked up on her ankus and braced herself for a fight. She looked for Penny

"Well, at least we know he'll pull a few down with him when he goes . . . "

Penny went pale, "Desna help us! Will he even make it here?"

Thamkis grumbled and winced as Barg began his foolishness again . . . shaking her head she drew the spiderwebs out and began winding them.

"Oh no! Barg is discovered!! Barg will FLEE because he is scared!"

OOC: Bluff 10

Barg ran off, giggling as he went, back towards where the others were hidden, trying to lead the orcs towards his comrades

"Whaaahhhhh!" The leading Orc roared after Barg as he chased the Goblin. "You will not mock Orcs. You will be next under my axe!"

It wasn't lost on Barg that his attempt to lure them in had failed. Had actually had the opposite outcome; the Orcs were even more enraged. Running headlong after Barg, the Orcs were heedless of all else in the forest. The first several neared the webs as Barg scampered along careening off of tree trunks, galloping through the mud, and bounding past the others avoiding the trap that was set.

Not so much could be said for the Orcs as they ran headlong barely able to keep up with Barg and suddenly became entwined in Thamkis' webs. The other Orcs came to a shambling, stumbling halt avoiding those caught up in the webs.

Barg wheeled on his heels, charging for the orcs now that the trap was sprung!

OOC: attack roll 16, damage 11

Feet kicking in the air, Barg had latched onto an Orc. One hand gripped it by the face while the other gripped it by the shoulder of its hide armor. His teeth sank deeply into the Orc's neck. Green blood fountained across the Goblin, another Orc, and onto the ground. The Orc gave a strangled cry, trying in vain to dislodge the teeth as it died.

The other Orcs roared, one swung a mace as the corpse with the attached barbarian fell. BArg felt the impact like a trebuchet thrown bolder in his ribs (8 points of damage) and found it difficult to ignore the new opportunity that life had presented him. In the webs a single Orc of the four trapped there manage to drag himself free. Stepping towards Brengalyn he hefted a battle axe to shoulder height.

"You, girl, are going to be skinned, raped, eaten, and killed." He yelled as he stepped in to attack. "And in that order."

The Orc cut loose with a mighty swing that glanced off of Brengalyn's armor in a resounding fashion. Quick to recover, however, the Orc immediately launched into a back-swing that caught her flush side, though it lacked the power to get through her armor as well. He grunted, mystified by her grace and speed.

In reply to GM (msg # 243):

"I think you need to rethink the order of that . . . sounds messy."

Catching the battle-axe inside her guard, Brengalyn hooked her ankus around the haft and twisted, applying leverage as she stepped out of the orc's face with a sneer.

OOC: disarm result 23, if the orc tries to attack unarmed Brengalyn will trip with a +8 bonus

The battle axe came out of the Orc's hands and elicited a snarl of rage. Immediately the green skin drew a pair of short swords. Well, one short sword and shortened, broken long sword. Behind him there were several shouted curses and roaring anger as Orcs trying to bypass the webs got caught up in the grease trap laid out by Penny. Fighting to stay upright and navigate the uneven terrain was far more difficult than it should have been.

With a grunt the Orc with the swords came in to attack Brengalyn again. One blade darted in to stab, a feint for the other blade that came cutting down and across Brengalyn's leg. (6 points of damage). The Orc sneered back at her and gave a sort of arrogant shrug.

A spear came hurtling through the din of fighting and the branches of a several trees. It arced past Brengalyn and Penny to land with a squeak of metal on wood as it lodged deeply in he trunk of an elm tree next to Thamkis.

Penny stood back from the group away from the Orcs, her banjo out and tuned. She began playing,
"
I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track (thunder)
I looked 'round
And I knew there was no turning back (thunder)
My mind raced
And I thought, what could I do? (Thunder)
And I knew
There was no help, no help from you (thunder)
Sound of the drums
Beating in my heart
The thunder of guns
Tore me apart
You've been
Thunderstruck.....
 "

ooc perform string 32 (Nat 20 :D )
Bardic courage +1

Thamkis' red rimmed eyes locked on to the orc who'd thrown the spear, and she spoke her magic words to lull the warrior to sleep . . .

OOC: slumber hex, why not? DC 16 Will save

Their hearts slowed, the pounding of excitement settled to a contentedness. Their fears settled and their spirit rose up. Fueled with the courage to face any threat, the Orcs seemed little more than semi-competent rivals. Penny's strumming banjo cords echoed through the trees, voices could be heard back in the camp. Human voices, elf voices, dwarf voices; loudly rising up against their captivity.

An Orc readied another spear. His fellows egging him on for having missed his throw at Brengalyn. Thamkis was less than impressed with his performance herself. That spear had only just missed her. So, the Orc suddenly fell backwards of the side of the little ridge, asleep before his head smashed into the rocks along the way.

Brengalyn smirked as the orc pulled back from his cut, gripping her ankus in both hands and swinging across the space between them. The blow was sloppy, the pain throbbing in her side as she stumbled

OOC: attack roll 14, damage would be 12

"Barg will being with you shortly . . . "

Barg turned his beady red eyes to the new orc volunteer, smiling too wide as he leapt up to bite down on the orc's neck

OOC: natural 20, confirming on a 16, damage 25 (12 if not confirmed), if that kills him will pick him up as an unattended object as a free action

(OOC: so this will be obvious in moment. Bren missed on 14, Barg hit to confirm his crit on a 16. So, a little deduction would lead you to believe the Orcs have an AC of 15.)

Brengalyn's blade slid across the Orc's armor. An amalgamation of chain and plate that bespoke of Dwarf craftsmanship from the clans of the Eastern Mountains. Good stuff, most likely stolen from a caravan or supply wagon for so many of them to be wearing it. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Barg launch himself, yet again, at an Orc like some kind of Goblin projectile with teeth.

Barg bound from the ground and grabbed the Orc's arm as it was stretched out in his path. Foot hooking over the forearm, Barg powerfully extended his leg as his hand rose to grip the top of the Orc's armor along the neckline. His teeth followed, his eyes rolling back showing their whites like some kind of predatory beast, and then there was the initial resistance and the splatter of warm Orc blood over his face. There was a giggle, a giddy giggle, as the music of Orc misery and terror filled Barg's ears.

Thamkis was left shaking her head and tisking dismissively. That little barbarian was bound to bite off more than they all could chew one day. Soon, now less.

In the camp, hearts pumping with new fire, the prisoners fought the Orcs like people possessed of the little barbarian's rage. Penny smiled and sang on.

Brengalyn spat on the ground and continued her fight with the orc, swinging only for the orc to parry her strike

OOC: attack roll 13!

Barg turned to the next closest orc as the tall woman struggled to fight her one and smiled, leaping . . . and smacking a tree for good measure!

OOC: attack roll 10, damage 14

"
Went down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the town
Went through to Hogsfeet
Yeah, Hogsfeet, and we had some fun
We met some girls
Some dancers who gave a good time
Broke all the rules, played all the fools
Yeah-yeah, they, they, they blew our minds

I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please?
Yeah, the ladies were too kind

You've been - thunderstruck, thunderstruck
"
Penny's music solidified into jagged crystals that sprang forth from her fingertips and launching into the orcs.
ooc Chord of Shards aiming at as many orcs as I can without hurting my group. reflex negates 2d6 piercing damage (8). 

Shaking her head at the ridiculous display before her, Thamkis eyed another orc, and spoke her words of power to ensnare them in her slumber hex

OOC: same again!

As vibrant chords of musics spiraled into the air around Pennny, Thamkis delivered a potent hex that sent the Orc to the ground. The lumbering raider was snorting before he splatted in the mud at his own feet.

An Orc slipping and sliding, dodging the webs ungracefully, and bellowing rage filled curses on Brengalyn's lineage rushed to tall warrior and attacked with a bastard sword in a two handed grip. Brengalyn felt the force of the attack as it careened off of her armored shoulder as she slipped to his left.

Barg was just looking up as a trio of Orc's approached when an arrow came from he left rear flank and pierced his left calf (6 points Piercing damage). It elicited much pain and a burning desire within the Goblin.

As Barg whirled, wobbly for the moment on his feet, the musical chords fell for the sky and transformed into jagged, blade-looking shards raining down on the trio. They fell, dead, with multiple wounds. Barg felt somehow cheated when he looked towards the Orc archer.

The longbow was on the ground, but the Orc was running full tilt away from the area shouting at the top of its lungs, "It's a trap, It's a trap. They got a war mage. He's dropping the everloving sky on us."

"Ah! Sharp rain from the sky!! Barg must hurry, or Penny Purse will take all the most strongest!"

Barg threw a thumbs up towards Penny, impressed with her spell (it even injured him!) and seeing the archer he smiled widely. Archers were the worst, they hurt magic people bad. Barg would deal with this archer, who seemed to realize they were going to have a chase and obliged Barg by running

"Good sport! Good sport! Barg is seeing your very nice gift and will help with chasing!!"

OOC: not sure if Barg can reach our dear orc archer, but he has a movement of 30ft per round so if we're on an incline the guy might get a significant lead on Barg

Brengalyn focused up as the orc's weapon nearly missed causing her harm, her shoulder pulsing with the force of the blow as she spun to swing her ankus into his side

"Less talking dear, more lying on the ground. Let me help you."

OOC: attack roll 23, damage 14

The Orc's eyes bulged in their sockets. The scream died in his severed throat just before his head slipped from the stump of his neck. Brengalyn was surprised, not by the Orc's head falling from its shoulders, but by seeing Barg bolting over the muddy terrain after an Orc who seemed to be fleeing like a mouse being chased by an ornery cat.

Penny continued her song passed the webbing and the dead orcs.
"I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please?
Yow!"
She headed towards the camp launching into a banjo solo.

Gonna double move as far as my little feet can carry me.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 03:56, Sat 25 Dec 2021.

"Barg!"

Brengalyn took off at a run to chase after the orc and Barg both, hopefully he wasn't running into another trap

Several Orcs, running with spears and shields, were caught by surprise when Brengalyn literally ran into them in the trees.

(OOC: bren make a ref save. please)

Brengalyn had trained from a young age to be quick and react within the space of a breath. It usually saw her through . . . this would be a trial to see if it held

OOC: Reflex save result 18

Shields and spears went clanging and bouncing to the ground. Two Orcs did the same. The third clutched a tree for stability and screamed in rage and embarrassment. He drew a shortsword and a hand axe as he steadied himself on his feet.

"Git up you mangy kurrs." the orc shouted to his companions.

Barg laughed and laughed, almost a fitful giggle, as he chased the orc

"Running is good yes, but Barg will be catching you!"

Continuing to pluck at her banjo Penny grabbed her star knife from her side.
"You've been.... Thunderstruck!"
And the little gnome threw her blade at the orc's assaulting Bren.

ooc way of the shooting star attack 14, 6 damage

Without having been spotted previously, a massive Orc bound into the fray around Brengalyn. Stepping in line with Penny's thrown blade and immediately tossed it back at her. Penny's heart skipped a beat as the blade pierced the gourd of plum wine hanging at her hip.

The Orc kicked another, smaller Orc, backward in time to avoid a killing blow from Brengalyn's blade. It roared, quite literally, causing birds and small animals to flee the trees. It heft a massive sword and was covered in shimmering hide armor.

The Orc Barg pursued turned at the sound of the large Orc's roar. A new look of arrogant confidence planted on its squat face. As the Goblin bore in the Orc drew a large dagger and waited.

"That's what I'm looking for! A challenge!! Mirdautas vras!!"

Brengalyn slipped low, swinging her ankus down and trying to hook the large orc's leg to sweep him

OOC: trip check of 26, if his CMD for trips is lower than 27 he's knocked down

Barg laughed, eyes gleaming and tongue dangling, as he caught up with the orc he was chasing

"Barg accepts this surrender. Is good for balance of nature! Strong eating weak!!"

OOC: charge attack roll 22, damage 17, current AC 18. If at all possible use free action to pick up a rock . . . for the fun of it because Barg can.

Rushing forward, Thamkis tried to follow her group not too far behind lest she be left completely away from them in a moment of need.

Seeing the huge orc fighting Brengalyn, she rubbed her hands together and spoke the ancient curse words, the weapon in his hand growing hot

OOC: burning disarm, DC 16 Reflex save to drop his weapon or take 2d4 fire damage

Barg, ecstatic and frothing with joy, bound forward. Rock in hand he descended upon the Orc as it moved in. The smug expression suddenly changed to that of abject astonishment when the smaller Barbarian impacted into him. The Orc managed a swing, to no avail though it drew a little blood.

(OOC: Barg will suffer 6 points of damage.)

The impact drove both Barg and the Orc to the ground. Teeth gnashing, rock smashing, and Orc arms flailing.

The large Orc was suddenly upended. Flipping in the proverbial 'ass over tea kettle' motion sending his head backwards into the dirt as his feet struck tree limbs. He roared in anguish as his hand suddenly exploded in pain as his weapon turned fiery hot in his grasp. As if to add insult to injury a hunter came charging out of the forest with a spear. The lash marks across the man's face said it all. He drove the spear through the Orc's side pinning him to the dirt.

Screaming in agony and hatred. The Orc reached for a large knife strapped to its calf.

Brengalyn stepped in a circle to match the hunter on the other side, swinging her ankus down gripped in both hands

OOC: move to flank, attack roll 28, total of 14 damage if he's susceptible to sneak attack (flanking)

Barg's vision swam as he continued to gnash and bite, releasing his hold only to clamp down again, twist and PULL

OOC: attack roll 21, damage 15, grab roll of 17 from lockjaw ability, if his CMD is lower than 18 he's grappled (if he's alive). Worth noting I've got 3 hp left

Barg stood and looked back at Brengalyn as she yanked the ankus from the dead Orcs thick neck. The large Orc's neck had been so thick that she wasn't able to completely severe it's head with a blow that had once felled an oak sapling as thick as her leg.

Brengalyn looked up as she straightened. wiping the blade on a rag for that purpose, and spotted Penny running her way just behind Thamkis. The old crone simply nodded at something beyond and Brengalyn whirled her face to see in an instant. But, it was Barg. The smiling, wild eyed Goblin barbarian was look back at them holding the recently gnawed off head of an Orc.

There were several bleeding wounds along the Goblins torso, a broken arrow protruded from his leg, and he was missing a few teeth. The look on his face was that 'hey, lookit!' children had when they did something they felt was significant to the world at large.

Behind Barg the camp was changing. The hunters of the camp were free or freeing the others. Many where wounded and some would not see their next morning without help. More than a few stood gawking at Barg, and not from a point mutual admiration. They were terrified of the little barbarian. So, too, were the Orcs.

Orcs were fleeing the camp in ones, twos, and threes. Typically carrying little more than a weapon or a bag of food, the Orcs knew it was time to flee.

"That, erm, companion of yours seems capable." The spearman said in common to Bren. "Does he eat them too? That would be something else entirely."

"You know, I've never asked. He seems to like rats, bugs and the occasional toad, I think the biting is more to establish dominance. Whatever you do, don't piss him off. He's meaner than a kicked dog when he has reason to be. Best to let him calm down . . . "

Brengalyn slipped her skin of applejack from her belt and approached Barg

"Well fought Barg. You showed them who's strongest."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Sun 09 Jan 2022.

In reply to Brengalyn (msg # 275):

(OOC:well said, well played, and really awesome lead in for the bargmiester.)

"Yes!"

Barg spat out the chunk of flesh and gladly accepted the skin, smiling widely, air whistling though the new gaps

"Barg showed them! We freed the prisoners, and in time for harvest festival!!"

He jumped up and down

"Is reason we came, correct?"

Thamkis made a noise of disappointment that Barg seemed to have forgotten why they were here . . . but it wasn't really worth arguing

"Yes, a harvest festival. That's right Barg."

Thankis and Brengalyn stood looking around as Penny approached. There were several wounded Orcs, and more than a few wounded hunters, scattered about. Some of which that would not last until the next sunrise. The freed hunters made to reorganize their camp, secure loose animals, put out fires, and save those that had suffered wounds.

Penny held Thamkis' hand "Hello! We are healers. Please direct us to your wounded."

Thamkis had drawn her blade, but when Penny took her hand she slipped it back into her belt, gathering herself and smiling alongside the gnome

"Yes, we can see to your wounded. And ease the pain (or passing) of the orcs"

A tall man, and elder by his look and years, stepped forward. There was a bandage around his scalp. There was a bloodied hand axe in his belt and a dagger had been thrust sheath first into the top of his boot.

The elder strode forward on shaky knees breathing heavily, exhausted from the fighting. He spoke in tired gasps when he said, "Not the Orcs. The mercy they showed us was that of the lash, the flame, and the blade. Put them down peaceful as you wish, that is all the mercy they have earned."

"If you have the strength, gather firewood and any food you can find. Get a fire going and we'll get some food cooking for you all."

Thamkis thought of the hags and sprites who'd turned her own home into a horror. She thought of what she'd done to them, in anger and retribution

Going off to find an orc, she stood over the creature. Some considered the orc and the goblin lesser than, but Thamkis had the wealth of experience to know they were much like any other person. They lived and loved and laughed and died like halfling, human and elf alike.

OOC: coup de grace (Plant Preservation: When she performs a coup de grace that kills a sentient humanoid creature (not a summoned creature), she can do so ritualistically in order to affect the area centered on the body with the enrichment version of plant growth. The sacrifice is a death effect.)

The night passed. People recovered at the hands of Thankis and a local healer. Though, none of those recovering were Orcs. The Orc prisoners were questioned and then executed. The morning was equally busy. But the Orc threat was broken in the area. For now. It was time to return the trade concerns goods and report back.

Penny spent as much time up as she could, helping Thamkis before the pixies slipped her sleeping powder. The gnome face planted in the dirt.
The next morning Penny woke up not remebering when she went to sleep but she had slept well. "Is everyone okay? Thamkis, did you get any sleep?"

Thamkis had worked long past dark healing wounds and soothing pain, but had eventually found sleep sitting upright in her wagon. She would have neglected her own needs, but the ability to channel the magic she used required rest, and a good night of it.

So when Penny came bounding in, mistaking the upright halfling for awake . . . she simply opened her eyes and smiled resignedly. The gnome had her charms, especially the excitement of youth.

"I can't speak for everyone, but I am okay, and so are you it seems. And yes, I got some sleep, thank you. Are the fair folk still bothering you?"

Penny smiled nodding her silly wide smile, "pulling my hair, tying my shoelaces. That sort of thing. I'm not sure what I've ever done to them though." she sighed.

Brengalyn spent most of the night helping with interrogations and then drinking and raising spirits to put this unseemly business behind them

Once the humans were asleep she checked the camp for signs of the merchant who'd hired them in the first place's wares.

The camp was loaded with wagons filled with pelts. Tents were stacked high with more pelts. Pelts hung from drying frames all around the camp. It made her wonder how much wealth was sitting out here in the forest. It would take everything they could muster; wagons, pack animals, sleds, backpacks, balance poles, and so on to get all the pelts back to the trading post.

Barg was up late partying and was, subsequently, dead to the world in the morning.

As the others gathered with their loudness and their words, a shrill yapping groan could be heard from a pile of orc clothes and armour, and the overtired and naked goblin emerged like a hibernating badger, hair swept in a cowlick as he lumbered towards Penny and Thamkis

"Bad morning Penny Purse and Hamkiss, Barg is wondering why is you are shouting and making magical screaming."

Penny looked down like a child caught doing something she shouldn't have, "Oh I'm so sorry Barg! We'll try to speak more quietly, promise. "

A man suddenly sat bolt upright and screamed while he held his head in his hands, "Why is everyone screaming! Why is my head exploding! Barg! Want to get another drink?"

The man's sudden, unexpected, and loud ramblings took everyone near him by surprise. Several people laughed. Another grumbled from his bed and rolled over to go back to sleep. Another of Barg's drinking pals from the night before.

A tall man walked up and said, "We thank you for your help. As I understand it you are going to try and recover the merchandise and guide us back."

"Right. Then let's get to it before too long."

Brengalyn took a nip of her applejack flask and pointed to the tall man

"How many of you are capable of bearing arms? How many can't walk? And how many wagons, sleds, carts do we have? It's no good if we take the goods back and don't guide the rest of you to safety."

OOC: spears if the orcs had them, gather clubs and quarterstaves for "free" if there's not enough to arm people.

"Bufo!"

Barg dug through his piles of stuff to search for his skin of truly horrid drink, toad eggs and beer and poisonous frog sweat all combined in a sheep's stomach, fermenting on his hip the whole way from the dark wood.

"Must drink! Must show strength by drinking!"

He held the skin up to the man who'd asked for more drink

"Is special drink for warriors and wiseguys!"

It was obvious after the little goblin drained the skin of the foul smelling, glowing blue, and static electricity inducing liquor he would eventually wake up on the wagon ride back. The only concern to those that witnessed the impressive swelling of his stomach as he drank the skin in a single go without spilling a drop was weather or not to tie him up just in case he woke up in a mood to fight before he regained his wits. It wasn't a consideration for long.

"Rope!" A few dozen voices called out.

Thamkis muttered the arcane words and snapped her fingers, the effects of the drink suddenly fleeing Barg's body

OOC: delay poison

"We need your wits sharp Barg. No more drinking until these men are safe home!"